Opelousas Little Theatre

There's no business like show business and in Opelousas, the members of the performing arts community take this business seriously! Opelousas is home to one of the oldest running community theaters in the area. Nestled in the heart of French Louisiana, the Opelousas Little Theatre (OLT) began in 1939 and continues to bring the best in Broadway-style productions to South Louisiana.

Located in South City Park, OLT produces many productions throughout the year, from side-splitting comedies and hand-clapping musicals to edge-of-your-seat mysteries and thought-provoking dramas. The members of OLT are a committed group of thespians who enjoy every aspect of play production. The actors, actresses, directors and productions staff, which are volunteers, are from all over the United States and represent all walks of life. Whether you are a visitor to the area, a local resident or an avid theater buff, you will enjoy some of the best productions South Louisiana has to offer.

Opelousas has been a center of business, government and culture for hundreds of years in south Louisiana. In fact, the Sandoz Opera House, which was one of the few opera houses outside of New Orleans, flourished here in the 1800s.In 1939, the Opelousas Little Theatre (OLT) was formed. It is one of the oldest community theaters in Louisiana. The OLT staged its first play, The Adorable Spendthrift, in December 1940. However, when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, many members of the small group left home to serve their country in the war. Consequently, the OLT temporarily disbanded and reorganized in 1946.

During these early years, members used the old Academy of the Immaculate Conception Auditorium (today, Opelousas Catholic School) to perform. Other performance locations were the auditoriums at Market Street Elementary School, Opelousas Senior High School and the St. Landry Parish Courthouse. It was not until 1959 that the group found a permanent home. In that year, the OLT raised funds and purchased the old Episcopal Church of the Epiphany (built in 1880). The old church was being torn down to build a larger church building. The old church was then moved to South City Park, where it stands today.

In 1976, the OLT fell on hard times. The group continued to exist but shows were put on hold. However, in 1984, the OLT began staging plays again. The re-energized members began an aggressive fund-raising campaign to restore and renovate the old church into today's OLT playhouse. Latest improvements include new curtains, a lighting board, a sound system, new carpet and a concession area. The OLT takes pride in its long history of providing some of the best of Broadway-style productions in South Louisiana.

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