About Bainbridge Little Theatre

Our History

Once Upon A Time…

I was conducting one show and seated at the left side next to the stage. I looked down and, behold; there on the edge of the stage was a live cricket. I reached down and quickly put it in the pocket of my tuxedo. At intermission I took it outside and released it. I was sure then that the BLT was blessed with good luck.

In 1974 the college had been open for a little more than a year. BC began plans for a theatre organization because Bainbridge did not have one. So the Humanities Division and Continuing Education began to address the issue. Of course, there was no theatre facility at this time. Bainbridge College agreed to house and support the theatre until it could one day fly on its own.

The three faculty who organized the theatre were Dr. Eunice Knight, Dr. Michael Gast, and Mrs. Dottie Randall. The BLT was established, and the first show was “Barefoot in the Park,” presented in 1974. The first “stars” were Ed Marsicano, Ksena Zipperer, Helen Kelley, Basil Lucas, Larry Nichols and Adelaine Wolf. (Incidentally, the high school student ushers were Bruce Kirbo, Steve Poitevent, Ronnie Martin, Joe Livingston, Pete Miller and Jan Kres.) Eunice Knight directed.

During the early days The BLT had no regular place to perform. The American Legion, the VFW, Shrine Club, Elcan-King school, Bainbridge College, and even the old library building all served this new theatre effort. But, BLT needed a home. One of the BLT supporters was Max Langston, who was the Pepsi Cola dealer in the area. The success of Max and his products needed a larger facility, so Max gave the BLT his building on Troupe Street. I chaired a small group called “Friends of the Theater” and we sold each of the seats for $300, which raised almost $50,000. I attended a meeting of the Decatur County Commissioners and asked them for $30,000. They granted the request.

We planned for the first show in the new facility and it was “Class Act.” This was a show of our own invention because we couldn’t trust a published show not knowing the various dimensions and spaces of the new theatre. It was a huge success! We knew we had a gem of a 160-seat theatre. And, the acoustics are beautiful!

There are presently three or four shows each year, plus other special events. BLT’S Troupe Street Theatre has been improved over the years with the addition of curtains, a concert grand piano, additional space backstage, and a formal garden for al fresco receptions. BLT is not only a place for entertainment and celebration of the arts but a source of pride for the community who built it.

-- Dr. Ed Mobley

Statement of Purpose

BLT is a non-profit organization for the development of interest in drama as an educational and entertainment medium for the public as well as a source of experience and pleasure for those participating actively in the work. The object of this organization is to promote better drama, to extend cultural and entertainment opportunities to the community and to instruct interested persons in dramatic techniques. Bainbridge Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions (above and beyond regular ticket price per play) at the Sustaining Patron level and above are tax deductible. Four plays per season ticket.

Board of Directors Officers

Lori Kuhn-Hancock (Chair)
Ryan Cleveland (Vice-Chair)
Tina Greene (Secretary)
Lee Bush (Treasurer)
Thaddeus Nifong (Theatre Manager)

Board of Directors

Lee Bush, Ryan Cleveland, Scott Dunn, Cathy Gaines, Tina Greene, Lori Kuhn-Hancock, Tracy Harrington, Jenny Livingston, Marjorie Mayfield, Martha Mobley, Bonnie Porter, Tonya Reynolds, Amy Wells