1938

Theatre founded with help from American Association of University Women & Junior League.
Purpose: “to present educational entertainment for children & to provide the opportunity for creative expression.

1939

First production in March: Noah’s Flood

1939-40

First full season of plays by & for young people.

1940-41

First all-adult cast:  Little Women, with members of the Junior League.

1945-46

First mixed cast of adults & children: The Wizard of Oz.

1947-48

First theatre workshops  for  young people taught by volunteers.  LCT presents first production by professional touring company.

1958-59

LCT joins Dept. of Parks & Recreation in offering productions & classes for young people. First 8-week session of theatre classes offered.

1963-64

LCT celebrates 25th anniversary with Silver Jubilee revival of past productions & playwriting contest.

1965-66

First season in which teenagers help backstage.  First theatre scholarships awarded.

1968-69

LCT cooperates with Junior League to establish a “Youth Arts Center,” which becomes Living Arts & Science Center in 1969.

1971-72

First full-time director hired. LCT begins developing full program of classes & professional adult touring company.

1974-75

First touring production visits 18 sites in Eastern Kentucky. Special school performances added to season.

1976-77

Production program moves into Opera House.

1979-80

Larry Snipes hired as Producing Director. Year round staff is one and a half employees.

ImpACT  (Improvisational  Acting Company for Teens) formed to give advanced training to highly motivated young people.
LCT begins producing professional Opera House shows for school audiences.

1982-83

Local season expanded to 5 productions.  Weekday school performances of 2 productions. Education program expanded to include 2 semesters of Theatre School classes, Summer Youtheatre & summer classes.  First full-time Business Manager hired. ReACT (Resident Ensemble Acting Company for Teens) implemented.

1984-85

Part-time Resident Company of professional 5 adult actor/teachers produce 5-show season.   3 productions available for school performances.  Participation in Very Special Arts Kentucky spawns ACTcessible program for disabled teenagers.

1985-86

LCT joins Fund for the Arts. Professional Resident Company expanded to full-time staff of 6.  Local & touring productions reach over 38,000 young people.  LCT named “official Children’s Theatre of the Commonwealth” by Kentucky Legislature.

1986-87

Season expanded to 6 shows. Additional studio space leased to increase Theatre School offerings.

1987-88

Staff increased to include a part time Marketing Director and full time summer education staff. Kentucky Scrapbook showcased at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Louisville.

1989-90

LCT shared in the creation of a scenery construction site in an old store front in downtown Lexington increasing the efficiency of production values.

1991-92

Initiated regional performances of Main Stage productions in performing arts venues outside Lexington. Jack and the Wonder Beans showcased at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Alexandria, Virginia.

1993-94

Expanded education program to include performance workshops in two area elementary schools.

1994-95

Initiated a professional internship program by adding a full time education intern. Kick-off of the Campaign for the Future capital fund drive.

1995-96

Season expanded to include two Discovery Series productions bringing the season offering to eight shows. Received one million dollar challenge grant from theatre founder Lucille C. Little.

1996-97

Ground broken for new facility. Added Summer Musical for LCT alumnus and current students.

1998-99

LCT celebrates its 60th anniversary by moving into its first permanent home. Expanded professional internship program to include acting, education, production and arts administration positions.

1999-00

LCT completes Building for the Future Campaign and establishes an endowment. Summer education program expanded to include full day camps.

2000-01

LCT awarded the Southeastern Theatre Conference's Sara Spencer Award for outstanding contribution to the field of Children's Theatre.

Summer Musical becomes Summer Family Musical - opens auditions to adults and students in the community.

LCT is invited to participate in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts new play development process New Visions/New Voices. LCT commissioned playwright John Urquhart to adapt Karen Hesse's book witness for the stage.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz  an original script by Jeremy Kisling, directed by Vivian Snipes, is showcased at the South Eastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Larry and Vivian Snipes work with local author illustrator Paul Brett Johnson to develop a play based on his books The Cow who Wouldn't Come Down, The Pig Who Ran a Red Light and The Goose Who Went Off in a Huff resulting in the world premiere production of Cows Don't Fly and other known facts.

LCT receives national recognition for its programming through support from the National Endowment for the Arts which funded the regional tour of Senora Tortuga throughout Kentucky, Ohio and South Carolina.

2006-07 Through a generous grant from the W. Paul & Lucille C. Little Foundation, LCT hires full-time staff for its Rowan & Elliott County Programming with outreach including performances, in-school residencies and Saturday classes for residents for free.

Larry and Vivian Snipes work with local author illustrator Paul Brett Johnson to develop a play loosely adapted from his book Old Dry Frye.

With a season of 11 productions, LCT becomes a $1,000,000 company reaching record audiences in school, public, tour and regional performances.

Appalachian State University showcases LCT's script Cows Don't Fly and other known facts at the South Eastern Theatre Conference.

LCT celebrates 70 years of theatre for youth, and our 10th year in 418 West Short Street, with a season of firsts including titles from our 1st full season and 3  world premieres!