History

Overview

Lindsay Community Theater is a publicly-owned, non-profit corporation, (501(c)(3)), and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. The board holds monthly meetings to further the mission of the Lindsay Community Theater which is to promote and strengthen the performing arts by providing a community auditorium for individuals and groups to perform in a variety of artistic productions such as, but not limited to, theater, music and dance, and educational programs. The Lindsay Community Theater’s goal is to provide quality entertainment for the central valley.

Lindsay Community Theater has five main objectives:

• to sponsor and/or produce at least five theater productions each year in which children and adults are able to participate in a theater production;

• to provide a venue for groups to perform within the community so that youth are exposed and able to participate in the performing arts;

• to provide a venue for the children of the school district to perform plays, musicals, choir, band and guitar concerts;

• to provide a venue for concerts by professional artists for the community to enjoy;

• to provide a space for civic and community gatherings.

History

The performing arts have always been an important part of our American culture, improving the quality of life for the children and adults within a community. Because there were no community or school auditoriums in the city of Lindsay, a group of community members decided to purchase the historic movie theater built in 1929 and turn it into a community auditorium. In 1982 a non-profit group called the Lindsay Community Theater was formed and purchased the building through a combination of fundraisers and public donations. Interested persons volunteered to renovate the inside of the theater. Shortly after the purchase the outside of the theater was restored and a new air conditioning system installed by a combined effort of the Lindsay Community Theater and the Lindsay Redevelopment Agency. Today, Lindsay Community Theater Board members donate their time to fund-raise for much-needed renovations. Board Members and  interested community members also volunteer to do actual renovation work on the building.

 Whom We Serve 

The Lindsay Community Theater serves over 5,900 patrons annually from children through senior citizens (approximately 60,000 over the last ten years) through the variety of events held at the theater which effectively increases communication within the community. To date,  more than 230 plays and musicals have been performed, as well as over 50 concerts. The LCT Board is committed to providing an inclusive space for everyone in the community and believes that by bringing together people from different backgrounds and life experiences, enhanced and enriched opportunities are created for our community that increase opportunities for all.

Volunteerism

The Lindsay Community Theater has a variety of opportunities for involvement with the theater by building sets, sewing costumes, acting in performances, directing, choreography, promoting events, working at theater events, work on clean-up days at the theater as well as light construction and general maintenance tasks. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jim Kliegl at 559.284.2223 or Jennifer Keeton at jenniferkeetonlct@gmail.com. You can also contact us through social media on Facebook or Instagram.

The theater is an old historic building of the Art Deco style that is a landmark for the City of Lindsay. It is nearly 100 years old and in constant need of repairs. It is the goal of the Board to keep the building in the Art Deco style while doing the needed upgrades and repairs. Each year the Board takes on a project to improve the theater. These projects are accomplished through generous donations of community member and business and through volunteer labor.

Recent projects completed

1. Replaced the marquee with LED lighting

2. Rebuilt the stage

3. Replaced flooring in lobby and mezzanine

4. Remodeled the makeup room

5. Removed 6 rows of seats to provide a space for handicapped patrons

6. Replaced stage lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures.

Future projects

1. Replace heating and cooling system

2. Upgrades to plumbing

3. Upgrades to electrical systems

4. Upgrades to lighting systems

5. Upgrades to sound systems