| Dramatic Highlights from LCT's History |
History
Awards
click here for a complete list of productions: 1962 to present
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| 1962 |
Hey, Look Us Over, a revue presented by Christ Episcopal Church, sparks the idea of a community theatre in La Crosse! |
| 1962 |
One week after Hey, Look Us Over, a meeting is held to discuss the formation of a community theatre group. Sally Cremer is elected President of the Board of Directors. |
| 1963 |
La Crosse Community Theatre (LCT) becomes a corporation on February 27. |
| 1963 |
The Matchmaker, LCT's first production, opens on May 9th at Longfellow Auditorium. William Dixon directed. |
| 1964 |
Michael Thompson becomes the first Managing Director. He is succeeded by John Brown (1968-69), Ken Albers (1969-71), Arnold Johnson (1971-76), John Viars (1977-82), Tim McNamara (1982-87), Morrie Enders (1987-2005), and Allen Ebert (2005- ). |
| 1965 |
The Boy Friend begins Summer Tenthouse Theatre Under the Stars at Mount La Crosse. |
| 1966 |
Jo Ann Jenkins hired as Assistant Business Manager. |
| 1966 |
LCT receives the Alfred Lunt-Lynn Fontanne Award as the Outstanding Wisconsin Community Theatre. |
| 1968 |
LCT moves into its current home at 118 Fifth Avenue North. Generation is the premier production. |
| 1971 |
John Viars is hired as the first Technical Director. Other Scenic Designer/Tech Directors include Steve Rohde (1985-89), Michael Allman (1989-93), Kit Mayer (1993-97), Daniel D. Heerts (1997-2004), Michael Baggesi (2004-05), Kristopher C. Davis (2006), and Dillon McArdle (2006- ). |
| 1983 |
LCT receives the Alfred Lunt-Lynn Fontanne Award as the Outstanding Wisconsin Community Theatre. The Gin Game places first in the Wisconsin State Theatre Festival. |
| 1984 |
H.M.S. Pinafore is LCT's 100th production. |
| 1985 |
Adult and Children's Education Program begins. |
| 1986 |
Season is expanded to nine productions. |
| 1988 |
LCT celebrates its 25th Anniversary season! |
| 1990 |
Season is reduced to seven productions. |
| 1997 |
Cotton Patch Gospel places first at Wisconsin State Festival, first at Region III festival, and Third at the American Association of Community Theatre National Festival. |
| 1997 |
Lori Portner is hired part-time as Education Director. The First Stage program is created. |
| 1997 |
Jo Ann Jenkins retires. She is succeeded as Business Manager by Marcee Peplinski (1997-98) and Sandi Ceason Weber (1998- ). |
| 1997 |
Oklahoma! becomes the first show to sell out its entire run before opening night. |
| 1998 |
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat not only sells out its entire run before opening night, it also sells out the six performances added to the run. |
| 1998 |
Cotton Patch Gospel has the final performance of its 2 1/2 year run in Heidelberg, Germany as the invited guests at their AACT competition. |
| 2001 |
The Angels of Lemnos places first at the Wisconsin Association of Community Theatre Festival and second at the Regional Festival. |
| 2001 |
The Fantasticks wins the People's Choice Award at the 1st Yakumo International Theatre Festival in Yakumo, Japan. |
| 2002 |
Box Office Supervisor Diane Hoffmeister retires after fifteen years. She is succeeded by Jonathan Lamb (02-03), Ruth Johnson (03-03), Martin Hage (03-04), Nancy Smith (04-06), and Eric Severson (06- ). |
| 2002 |
Costume Designer Dawn Enders passes away. The Dawn M. Enders New Theatre Building Fund is started. Cheri Sailors is hired as the new Costume Designer (2003- ). |
| 2003 |
The Seventh Monarch places first at the American Association of Community Theatre State Festival. |
| 2003 |
Diane Richards is hired to fill the newly created Development Coordinator position. Diane resigns in 2005 and is replaced by Ryan Stotts (2005- ). |
| 2006 |
La Crosse Community Theatre hosts Osugi Musical Theatre from Japan. A local chorus performs in Birds of Peace—Hiroshima's Legacy with the Japanese cast. Local families host the Japanese cast and crew. |
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Awards
La Crosse Community Theatre produces top quality entertainment, and we have the awards to prove it!
In 1966 and 1983, we received the Alfred Lunt-Lynn Fontanne Award as the Outstanding Wisconsin Community Theatre.
Our 1983 production of The Gin Game received 1st place at the Wisconsin American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) Festival and 2nd place at the Region III AACT Festival.
In 1997, our Cotton Patch Gospel received 1st place at the Wisconsin and Region III AACT Festivals and 3rd place at the National AACT Festival. The production was later invited to perform around the country and in Germany. For more information on the production of Cotton Patch Gospel, see the link at the top of this page.
In 2001, The Angels of Lemnos received 1st place at the Wisconsin AACT Festival and 2nd place at the Regional Festival in Akron, Ohio.
In 2001, The Fantasticks received the People's Choice Award at the 1st Yakumo International Theatre Festival in Yakumo, Japan. Billy Nelson received a Best Actor award.
In 2003, The Seventh Monarch received 1st place at the Wisconsin AACT Festival.
In 2007, The Women of Lockerbie received the following Wisconsin Association of Community Theatres 2007 Festival Awards in Verona, WI :
Excellence in Set Design – Dillon McArdle
Excellence in Costume Design – Cheri Sailors
Excellence in Acting – Molly Hoffmann
Excellence in Acting – Toni Tengblad
Excellence in Supporting Acting – Sean McDevitt
Excellence in Directing – Allen and Karen Ebert
1st place show in State
Community Theatre Award for Organizational Excellence
In 2007, The Women of Lockerbie received the following American Association of Community Theatre 2007 Region 3 Festival in Schaumburg, IL:
Outstanding Light Design – Dillon McArdle
Outstanding Set Design – Dillon McArdle
Outstanding Directors – Allen and Karen Ebert
Selection to All Star Region 3 cast – Molly Hoffmann
1st place best show in Region 3
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