The History of Lake Charles Little Theatre

Rosa Hart and Emma taken during a rehearsal of Blithe Spirit.

An architect's rendering of Stable Playhouse on Bilbo Street in central Lake Charles.

 Annabel Essary Dees convened a meeting at her Ford Street residence on January 7, 1927. The guests at her home that Friday evening included Emma Michie, Mrs. J.W. Gardiner, Mary Gayle Porter and an iron-willed 26 year old named Rosa Hart, the purpose of the meeting was to flesh out a new community theatre group for Lake Charles. 
The "Lake Charles Little Theatre" was its name, and it had been organized-on paper at least-at Mrs. Dees' home the year before, in 1926.
The Membership Committee secured 153 memberships and raised a princely $700-plus. Membership dues were $5 for adults and $2.50 for juniors-good for five plays and at least two lectures. 
Three one-act plays would be presented at the parish house auditorium at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Opening night was Thursday, February 24, 1927. 
As the Lake Charles Little Theatre gained momentum, an eight-member Little Theatre Orchestra conducted by Eva Levingston played the "Little Theatre Overture"-an original bit of music before the curtain.
The stock market crash in 1929 caused the stage to be dark for six years.
In 1938, LCLT found its own home - the Wells Fargo stable on Bilbo Street in central Lake Charles. It was called the "Stable Playhouse."
World War II caused another suspension of productions until the armistice in 1945. But June of 1948 brought LIFE magazine to LCLT. The cajun comedy "The Great Big Doorstep" was featured.  The first musical production, "The Snow Queen," opened May 5, 1952.
In 1958, between performances of "Inherit the Wind," the 20 year home of LCLT burst into flames and was rendered useless. The Arcade on Ryan Street, became the next home for Lake Charles Little Theatre.
LCLT co-founder Annabel Dees passed away before the 1961-62 season. She had been to all but three opening nights in the theatre's 34 years. 1964 brought another loss when co-founder Rosa Hart died. Recognized as the single most important cultural figure in Lake Charles history, she has directed more shows than anyone else to this day.
The night of October 20, 1966 marked moving into the new home in a discarded chapel at Chennault Air Base as LCLT's Memorial Theater Center. This was home until fire struck again in 1975.
A new chapter in LCLT's history began on September 26, 1986 with the christening of The New Stable Playhouse. On the 800 block of Enterprise Boulevard was the U.S. Postal Service vehicle maintenance building. After a hot and grueling summer, the 1986-87 season opened in the new theater and our current home.