Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Offering live theatre in southeastern Polk County remains a challenge for volunteers who operate Lake Wales Little Theatre, according to a representative of the organization. The company is the only live theatre in the immediate area and is now in its 48th year of operation.
Memorable scenes abound in the live theatre performances of Lake Wales Little Theatre. The all-volunteer casts offer surprising talents.
Like many arts organizations, the non-profit, all-volunteer theatre company struggles to maintain its intimate auditorium while also paying for the other aspects of the five-a-year shows it produces. With no employees, volunteers perform every associated task, from ticket accounting to set-building.
Theatre volunteer Denny Wittman pointed out the need to replace the theatre's aging air-conditioning systems, an expense that has been deferred in favor of costly ongoing maintenance for lack of funds.
"The theatre was hit hard during Covid," Wittman said. "An aging building with heavy maintenance costs and rising insurance costs have made things even more challenging each year."
"We really need to boost ticket sales and bring in sponsorships. Volunteers are always welcome of course, Wittman said. The group's annual children's production, "Stuck on These Islands," opens Friday for two-weekends of performances.
After more than a generation of producing live theatre, the crew of LWLT isn't resting on its laurels. Despite the rising cost of royalties, costumes, set construction supplies, the organization continues to pursue quality local theatre.
The 2024-2025 adult season features a variety of entertainment, starting with "The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered," a tongue-in-cheek murder mystery that takes place on the set of a floundering television soap opera. Auditions for the cast, up to 13 actors, will take place September 23 and 24 starting at 7 p.m. at the theatre at 411 North Third Street. Performances will run November 8 through 24.
Other upcoming shows include "Belles Take the Big Easy," featuring the adventures of five Alabama women who venture to New Orleans to experience the Mardi Gras celebration. That show will run January 24 through February 9, appropriately in the heart of the 2025 Carnival season.
Roman Shano, left, and Larry Helms performed in a warmly-received production of "On Golden Pond" last autumn at the Lake Wales Little Theatre. The productions allow for an artistic outlet for comedy and drama each year.
"Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play," will offer "spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast," according to the theatre's website. The show is "complete with vintage commercials, that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer's ominous presence, and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects." It will run March 28 through April 13.
Season and individual reserved seating is available through the website at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lwlt.
"The theatre is a special place, as we both know, it's an important part of Lake Wales history and culture," Wittman said.
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