Community Theatre of Terre Haute
The mission of Community Theatre of Terre Haute is to entertain, educate, and enrich the community through dramatic arts. We are a volunteer theatre dedicated to producing five varied main stage plays and musicals and one or more Oakley Stage (featuring smaller casts in a more intimate theatre space) productions.
We appreciate the support of all of our patrons and could not exist without the enormous contribution of our volunteers. Our doors are always open to new people on stage and behind the scenes.
Vision Statement
- Our vision is to be an essential element in the cultural lives of those in our community.
Mission Statement
- The mission of Community Theatre of Terre Haute is to entertain, educate, and enrich the community through dramatic arts.
Values Statement
We value our patrons and volunteers. We strongly believe in:
- Communication
- Diversity
- Education
- Integrity
- Quality
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
HISTORY OF COMMUNITY THEATRE OF TERRE HAUTE
The Community Theatre of Terre Haute is a story of dreams, visions, and most of all, dedication of hundreds of volunteers who refused to give up in the face of adversity.
It all began in 1926 . . . Madge Polk Townsley approached the Pen and Brush Club and the Woman's Department Club with the idea of sponsoring a nonprofessional civic theatre group. Miss Townsley had been inspired by a visit in Detroit with her sister-in-law, Mary Townsley, and her friend, the late Jesse Bonstelle, owner of the Bonstelle Playhouse. Miss Bonstelle had trained nationally-known actors and actresses and fostered the emerging little theatre movement in America.
The idea took root and prospered. In 1928, the Community Theatre produced four plays between February and May, no mean accomplishment for neophytes. They were presented in the Garfield High School auditorium under the direction of Frieda Bedwell.
We are very proud of our progress. The Community Theatre is the second oldest non-professional theatre, in continual operation, in Indiana, and the only one offering a film series as well as live theatre. No one is paid except the professional film projectionist and the custodian. We are financed by the sale of tickets, voluntary donations, and occasional grants. Considerable assistance and cooperation are extended to other cultural projects and organizations in the community. Providing five stage productions, and five international films, CT gives the people of Terre Haute the opportunity to see and become a part of live theatre. Behind the scenes and on stage, a simple love of the theatre has generated our mission statement: The mission of Community Theatre of Terre Haute is to entertain, educate, and enrich the community through dramatic arts.
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