Temple Civic Theatre

Mission:

The mission of Temple Civic Theatre is to produce theatre of the highest caliber, to enlist regional talent through open auditions, to educate youth and adults in all aspects of theatre, and to provide opportunities for and encourage participation by volunteers, thus enriching the artistic and cultural base of the communities of Central Texas.

History:

Temple Civic Theatre, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, was formed by a group of interested citizens in 1965. An earlier group, called Old Central Players, had become inactive, so a new name was chosen.

The first play produced was You Can't Take It With You. Temple Civic Theatre, operating with its own board of governors and incorporated as a non-profit arts organization in November 1968, worked under the Cultural Activities Center as a member organization. In 1974, because of its growth and success, the group had to "leave home and find a place of its own." Today, the theatre and the Cultural Activities Center operate cooperatively from separate spaces, both built in 1977. The first production in the theatre's new building was My Fair Lady, April 15, 1977.

The building is an 11,000-square-foot plant containing a 228-seat thrust stage auditorium, two large dressing rooms, offices, classrooms, a kitchen, restrooms, a large scene shop, and a costume shop. It was surrounded in 1989 by paved, curbed, lighted parking, with landscaping and improved signage.

In 1992, more renovation work was performed to help bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The women's restroom size was doubled, and a new men's restroom was built, both made accessible to handicapped persons. Handicap seating and parking were increased. Wireless listening devices were added for the hearing impaired.

The facility is valued at over $400,000. Payment was made completely from local donations in support of the theatre.

Staff growth has proceeded from entirely volunteer through part-time management to its current full-time managing and artistic director and full-time technical director, with an assistant to the managing and artistic director, and contracted youth theatre teachers.