Our History
Now in its 85th Season, 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. In 1965, it was chartered as a non-profit arts
organization. It has since grown to be Mississippi’s largest community theatre, welcoming over 22,000 theatre-goers each year. 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 a Peavy sound system.
Since its beginning, MLT has been entertaining theatre-goers with a stimulating array of musicals and American standards. Meridian Little Theatre programming puts emphasis on the best in large scale musicals and contemporary plays. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are composed of volunteer actors from Meridian, the Naval Air Station, surrounding areas, and at times professionally known actors.
For 50 years, the late Jimmy Pigford served as Resident Director of MLT. In August of 2013 the theatre was under the direction of Ronnie Miller. Ronnie retired May 2017. Ellie Massey was hired as Executive/Artistic Director. Ellie is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a double major in Theater and Broadcasting. She attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi in the director's program. Ellie directed the final show of our 84th season, 9 To 5 and last year's dinner theater show, The Butler Did It Singing. She has been a director for Center Stage Youth Production the last four years and on staff for our Youth Summer Workshop since 2014. Having worked for more than 30 years in Meridian radio, she is excited to begin a second career at MLT.
The theatre performs four major productions, a youth production, and a children’s summer workshop each season. Numerous volunteers are utilized to mount over 50 performances annually, with leadership provided by dedicated board members, staff, and volunteers.
MLT is the only one of the few theatres in the state to have a Youth Division. CenterStage’s productions provide entertainment and educational outreach to area children, introducing them to the thrills of live theatre. Some of the productions offered have been The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and most recently Alice @ Wonderland, among many other classics. Working in cooperation of the Meridian Public Schools, Lauderdale County Schools, the Private School Association and home school organizations, as well as schools from West Alabama, over eight thousand school children are bused from area schools to see the live performances. Each play is presented at least 21 times in one week! Scholarships are available to some of the students so that no child is denied an opportunity to experience the theatrical arts.
MLT and CenterStage 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 Meridian Arts Council.
Another jewel in the crown of the theatre is its Ladies Guild. These women provide the wind beneath the wings of this theatre through their tireless hours of volunteerism. They have put the Meridian Little Theatre’s Variety Shop twice a year on the map for bargains and buys. The funds generated through this tremendous program has helped our theatre purchase a new lighting and sound system, a flat screen TV for use by CenterStage, landscaping and lighting in the garden, and more. We couldn’t do what we do without these wonderful volunteers and new members are always welcomed!!!
MLT’s 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. Meridian Little Theater also offers the rental of its facility, primarily the beautiful Linda G. Davidson Room and Garden for rentals for reunions, receptions and meetings. Starting in 2014, Meridian Little Theatre will continue its community outreach by serving as a voter precinct in cooperation with the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County.
The energy of any community theater comes from the passion of not only its ticket holders but from the tireless efforts and dedication of volunteers led by a Board of Directors. The public is always encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the Meridian Little Theatre...there’s room for everyone. This is YOUR theatre.. this is THE MERIDIAN LITTLE THEATRE!
organization. It has since grown to be Mississippi’s largest community theatre, welcoming over 22,000 theatre-goers each year. 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 a Peavy sound system.
Since its beginning, MLT has been entertaining theatre-goers with a stimulating array of musicals and American standards. Meridian Little Theatre programming puts emphasis on the best in large scale musicals and contemporary plays. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are composed of volunteer actors from Meridian, the Naval Air Station, surrounding areas, and at times professionally known actors.
For 50 years, the late Jimmy Pigford served as Resident Director of MLT. In August of 2013 the theatre was under the direction of Ronnie Miller. Ronnie retired May 2017. Ellie Massey was hired as Executive/Artistic Director. Ellie is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a double major in Theater and Broadcasting. She attended graduate school at the University of Mississippi in the director's program. Ellie directed the final show of our 84th season, 9 To 5 and last year's dinner theater show, The Butler Did It Singing. She has been a director for Center Stage Youth Production the last four years and on staff for our Youth Summer Workshop since 2014. Having worked for more than 30 years in Meridian radio, she is excited to begin a second career at MLT.
The theatre performs four major productions, a youth production, and a children’s summer workshop each season. Numerous volunteers are utilized to mount over 50 performances annually, with leadership provided by dedicated board members, staff, and volunteers.
MLT is the only one of the few theatres in the state to have a Youth Division. CenterStage’s productions provide entertainment and educational outreach to area children, introducing them to the thrills of live theatre. Some of the productions offered have been The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Aladdin, and most recently Alice @ Wonderland, among many other classics. Working in cooperation of the Meridian Public Schools, Lauderdale County Schools, the Private School Association and home school organizations, as well as schools from West Alabama, over eight thousand school children are bused from area schools to see the live performances. Each play is presented at least 21 times in one week! Scholarships are available to some of the students so that no child is denied an opportunity to experience the theatrical arts.
MLT and CenterStage 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 Meridian Arts Council.
Another jewel in the crown of the theatre is its Ladies Guild. These women provide the wind beneath the wings of this theatre through their tireless hours of volunteerism. They have put the Meridian Little Theatre’s Variety Shop twice a year on the map for bargains and buys. The funds generated through this tremendous program has helped our theatre purchase a new lighting and sound system, a flat screen TV for use by CenterStage, landscaping and lighting in the garden, and more. We couldn’t do what we do without these wonderful volunteers and new members are always welcomed!!!
MLT’s 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. Meridian Little Theater also offers the rental of its facility, primarily the beautiful Linda G. Davidson Room and Garden for rentals for reunions, receptions and meetings. Starting in 2014, Meridian Little Theatre will continue its community outreach by serving as a voter precinct in cooperation with the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County.
The energy of any community theater comes from the passion of not only its ticket holders but from the tireless efforts and dedication of volunteers led by a Board of Directors. The public is always encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the Meridian Little Theatre...there’s room for everyone. This is YOUR theatre.. this is THE MERIDIAN LITTLE THEATRE!
