Elkhart Rotary Club Meeting July 8, 2019

The Bristol Opera House is the present home of Elkhart Civic Theatre. But this wasn’t always the case. Beginning nearly 70 years ago, there was Elkhart Little Theatre. Little theatres, literally “little theatres” with small memberships and small venues, had grown up all over the US during the depression. In back of the former Four Arts Building on High Street in Elkhart, there was a building that had originally been a carriage house.

There, a group of people formed a theatre group. People of all ages were interested because there was little employment and folks were hungry for entertainment. The first plays presented were one act dramas. The next step was an evening of one-acts. The stage was small, with minimal scenery and makeshift lighting. But it was a beginning for a small group of enthusiastic, dedicated people. Eventually they improved the building with better seating, a small but very workable stage, and lighting that was considered quite good for the period. The quality of plays produced was quite high. Most of the plays were classics, because these did not require a royalty payment. Among the plays were Arms and the Man by Shaw, Hedda Gabler by Ibsen, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The theatre seated 100 people and most of the performances were sold out. Every Saturday there was a children’s play. Some of the plays were given for children by adults. Some were plays in which children took all the parts. There was one group which made puppets and gave puppet plays for the children. Everyone could take part in one way or another. Occasionally the old high school auditorium would be rented for a special production. One of these was The Taming of the Shrew and a Noel Coward comedy. Maybe once or twice a year the group with try a big production like this. The time came when the building was to be sold and the group would have to find a new home. The carriage house that had been the Little Theatre was torn down, but the members were not about to let this dissolve the organization. The Park Department came to their assistance. The new home was the old YWCA, now called Lexington House. The old “YW” had a stage which wasn’t very suitable for the groups productions, and there were many problems to be solved again. But the group’s enthusiasm, plus a number of new members kept things going. The organization changed it’s name to Elkhart Civic Theatre, Inc. 

 

At the YWCA, ECT presented more contemporary shows, such as Death Takes a Holiday, The Voice of the Turtle, The Glass Menagerie and Gigi, to name a few. During this period, the issue of censorship reared its head and again the question of a new permanent home was before the group.

With the help of dedicated members who spent a lot of time looking and pursuing this idea, the Opera House in Bristol was found. It was in poor repair but it held a lot of promise. It was a stimulating challenge to the membership as well. Again, they worked and cleaned, but it was truly a labor of love. They accomplished wonders. Today, Elkhart Civic Theatre has a charming, delightful home at the historic Bristol Opera House.

 

Want to get involved with ECT?
Whatever your talents, ECT needs someone like you. There is a form online at https://elkhartcivictheatre.org/get-involved/ to let them know your interests and they'll keep you informed of opportunities to join in creating and performing some of the highest quality civic theatre in the country.

Dave shared information about the time commitment many actors give to their craft. For Musicals rehearsals begin 10 weeks before the show dates, beginning usually 4 nights a week then 5-6 nights a week nearer performances; non-musicals begin rehearsals 5-6 weeks before performance dates.