Theatre History Overview - Part 87 - Little Theatre Movement

The Little Theatre Movement took place in the United States from 1909 to 1929. The movement served a few purposes. First, it served the purpose of staging plays without requiring the trappings of a professional theatre. Little theatres were specifically geared toward talented people who were amateurs. Second, the movement provided a way for theatre to exist without commercialism. While it followed the laws necessary to produce shows, it didn't run on making a profit. Instead, money was used so more shows could be produced. Third, it provided an experimental center for the dramatic arts. Rather than having to pay expensive prices to rent theatrical space, artists might be able to have the space donated for free or at least at a much lower cost than in a professional setting. Fourth, that theatre could be used for the betterment of American society and not just entertainment.

Many people credit Maurice 'Brown, the director and co-founder of the Chicago Little Theatre, with the creation of the Little Theatre Movement. However, he credits Laura Dainty Pelham, the director of Hull House in Chicago, Illinois, as the true founder. Hull House was co-founded by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr. The Little Theatre Movement began when young theatrical artists were influenced by the 'European theatre. Little Theatres produced plays by playwrights such as Eugene O'Neill who went on to become widely recognized.

During the same time, community theatres started to be founded. They operated on the idea of providing affordable theatre to people. Some Little Theatres operated with the same idea. Other little theatres became known as "tributary theatres" because they were a pathway to professional theatres, mostly on Broadway or London's West End. Being that there wasn't one set of rules under which Little Theatres operated, theatres developed around the United States and used different models of operation. Some theatres staged only well known shows while others focused on helping new playwrights.

Being that community theatres also developed at the same times, the two types of theatre basically became indistinguishable. Today, both community theatres and little theatres exist throughout the United States. They all operate in different capacities depending on the bylaws that each theatre has establish for itself.

Sorry about this post being late for Friday, July 27. My air conditioning is not working and this post is late due to complications dealing with being able to stand staying in my own house.

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