- 479-783-2966
- [email protected]
- 401 North 6th Street
While the Fort Smith Little Theatre is proud to be the oldest, continuously operating community theatre in Arkansas, we recognize that our success could not have happened without the generous support of our community. Our Annual Fund donors and program advertisers are vitally important to our financial stability. In addition, we are proud to recognize below those who have contributed to our capital campaigns in recent years.
In 2012, the Fort Smith Little Theatre marked two significant events: continuously operating for 65 years and performing in our current facility for 25. In celebration of these major milestones, FSLT announced a very important project. It involved organizing and preserving the photos and documents of our history, taking us back through our colorful past. At the same time, plans were developed to renovate our lobby, restrooms, light booth, and box office to move us forward and prepare our facility for the next 25 years of performances. Thus, the project was aptly named Back To The Future.
The symbol of FSLT, the stained glass Harlequin Man, was restored and moved to a center window place of prominence. Cast photos, which were fading rapidly, were digitally preserved, displayed on large monitors in our lobby, and posted on this website for everyone to enjoy. New HVAC and energy efficient lights and windows were installed. Without expanding the footprint of our building, our use of space was maximized in our storage areas, the box office, and the light booth. The changes were extensive, and required more than a year of fund-raising and construction which had to be scheduled around our productions. This massive undertaking could not have been accomplished without the generous support of vendors and patrons. To everyone who supported this project, we offer our heartfelt thanks.
Click Here to download the list of those who have donated to this project.
Click Here to download the list of those who have donated goods and services to our renovation.
In 2009, our community theatre purchased five lots from the Fort Smith Art Center. Securing that property, which was adjacent to ours, was critical for our continued operation as it guaranteed future access to parking for our patrons. We appreciate these generous donors who responded to our request for financial assistance and helped make this important purchase possible.
In the early 1980s, area businesses and loyal patrons made generous contributions to build our present facility. Because the scope of construction was scaled back to fit available funds, backstage workspace, restrooms, and storage were cut from the original plan. As a result, cast and crew, often totaling 50 or more, shared one toilet backstage. Costumes, props and furniture were stashed in attics all over Fort Smith, and sets could not be stored for reuse. There was simply no place to put them.
The answer was to build an addition to the back of our building (toward 5th Street) which basically completed our facility’s original design. A successful capital campaign funded the construction that after 20 years allowed FSLT to Complete the Plan.
Click here to download the list of Complete the Plan donors.