Albuquerque Little Theatre

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albuquerque_Little_Theatre

ABQ Little Theatre kicks off 80th season

The Albuquerque Little Theatre began its 80th season over the weekend, planning a big season of entertainment. 

The Albuquerque Little Theatre

Was founded in 1930 by a group of civic-minded citizens led by Irene Fisher, a reporter and the society editor for the New Mexico Tribune. The idea of a local theatre group was born when Fisher attended a lecture by a professional actress named Kathryn Kennedy O’Connor who moved to New Mexico for health reasons in 1927. Fisher led the campaign to raise anoperating budget of $1,000 and O’Connor was hired as the theatre’s director. ALT spent its first six years at the KiMo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque.

In 1936, ALT moved into its present home located at 224 San Pasquale SW, just south of the historic Old Town section of Albuquerque. The original building designed by famed southwestern architect, John Gaw Meem, was the first structure in Albuquerque to be built by the Works Progress Administration as part of President Franklin Roosevelt‘s “New Deal.”

O’Connor retired as the theatre’s director in 1961 and the board named Bernard Thomas to succeed her as ALT’s full-time director. Thomas served as ALT’s full-time director from 1961 to 1980. He starred in many of the ALT’s productions, including Teahouse of the August Moon and His and Hers. He was married to Reba Thomas, who hosted a daily matinée movie on a local Albuquerque television channel. He also appeared in the motion picture Roughneck. During Thomas’s years as director, he brought many popular comedies, and a fair assortment of dramas as well, and he exposed Albuquerque audiences to some unusual fare as well, including the world premiere of David Madden‘s Cassandra Singing.

Thomas retired from ALT in 1980 after the 50th anniversary season. He was replaced by his technical Director Michael Myers who served as producing director until 1986 when Sandy Brady replaced him, and Carol Fleming was named general manager in 1988. She stayed with ALT until 1996.

In March 1997, Larry D. Parker was named as new executive director of the Albuquerque Little Theatre and continued producing quality theatre through the 2005-06 Season.

The current executive director is Henry Avery. He took that role in spring 2008.