History
The Meridian Little Theatre, one of the South’s oldest subscription-based community theatres, was founded in 1932, when its first production was presented in Highland Park. It has grown to be Mississippi’s largest community theatre, welcoming over 22,000 theatre-goers each season. It was chartered as a non-profit arts organization in 1965.
Located on Highway 39 North, housed in a modern, million dollar specially designed playhouse, comfortably seating 400, it has the latest in stage lighting and Peavy sound systems. A Board of Directors governs the theatre employing a full-time artistic director, a youth director, and an office manager. MLT also has a part-time technical staff and numerous volunteers.
For seventy-seven continuous seasons, MLT has been entertaining theatre-goers with a stimulating array of musicals, American standards, and children’s theatre. Meridian Little Theatre programming puts emphasis on the best in large scale musicals and contemporary plays. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are well presented with volunteer actors from Meridian, the Naval Air Station, surrounding areas, and at times professionally known actors.
The theatre performs four major productions, a youth production, teen productions, and a children’s summer workshop each season. Nearly 1,000 volunteers are utilized to mount more than 50 performances annually, with leadership provided by dedicated board members, staff, and volunteers.
MLT is dedicated to providing the community with the finest quality theatre experience imaginable for the most reasonable price possible. The theatre is equally dedicated to offering a broad menu of performance and educational opportunities in service to the community.
MLT is the only theatre in the state to have a Youth Division. The theatre’s youth productions provide entertainment and educational outreach to area children, introducing them to the thrills of live theatre. The recent production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” had a cast of 130+ youths ranging from ages 6 to 17. Over eight thousand school children were bussed from area schools to see the live performances, with the theatre furnishing free tickets to underprivileged students.
MLT began an exciting summer theatre workshop for children in June of 1996. Here young talents are developed not only in acting but backstage work as well and a mini-musical is performed by students at the end of the week long session. The theatre is funded in a small part by grants from the Mississippi Arts Council and the Meridian Arts Council.
In 2009, the summer theatre workshop for children expanded into two separate sessions. This new session, called "Stage 2," was created to meet the needs of older youths in our community between the ages of 13 and 19. Students gained hands-on experience in the technical areas: lights, sound, set construction, stage management, props, curtains, etc. in addition to more advanced forms of drama, dance and vocal instruction. Stage 2 was such a success that it has been developed into a year round program that includes education and experience in the areas of costume design and wardrobe, theatre history, traditions and genres, music and choreography history and styles, marketing, development, and fundraising. In addition, Stage 2 rehearses regularly and their premier performance is currently in productioin. MLT's Stage 2 Teen Theatre Group provides the youth in our community with a unique experience not found anywhere else in the state of Mississippi.
MLT services to the community include free tickets to the disadvantaged and disabled through established organizations like East Mississippi State Hospital and discount tickets to students and senior citizens.
MLT plays a leading role in the entertainment community for the city of Meridian and East Central Mississippi and will strive to continue its pursuit of perfection for many years to come.