Its mission, “To provide an affordable, high quality theatre experience for the people of Lakeland and its surrounding areas and to create an opportunity for individuals of all ages to develop and showcase their talents in a safe, nurturing, educational environment”
In 1986 the City of Lakeland responded to a growing need to provide a community theatre in Lakeland. The theatre began as a dedicate
d group of volunteers committed to providing the children of Lakeland and their families the opportunity to enjoy educational and cultural enrichment through participating in and viewing of live theatre by producing two children’s shows per season. The Lakeland Community Theatre boasts a Main Stage season of five high quality productions; The Eunice Fuller Theatre for Youth three show season as well as classes, summer camps, workshops, Master Classes; The Edge: Alternative Stage Read Series; The Page to Stage Traveling Troupe serving area schools; The Out of the Box Troupe for special needs youth and adults, a Senior Troupe and many special productions and events each year. Dedicated to keeping ticket prices affordable and still operating on the original expectation of the theatre raising its own revenue to cover costs, the theatre engages the support of the community through a sponsorship and advertising base, grants, and major fundraisers to support the needs of the theatre. The City of Lakeland has been a vital partner and asset in creating and maintaining a home of its community theatre. The Lakeland Community Theatre has brought over 210 quality productions to the people of Lakeland and its surrounding areas, has given over 4,000 volunteer community performers the opportunity to be on stage, over 7,000 other volunteers the opportunity to work behind the scenes and over 360,000 audience members the opportunity to see live theatre. Approximately over 1,500,000 volunteer hours have been logged over the past 30 years. Over 375 of those volunteer actors and back stage personnel who started with the theatre have pursued careers in the entertainment industry. The Theatre for Youth productions are available to the students of Polk County through implementation of school day and summer camp production matinees at reduced or no cost. Lakeland Community Theatre also provides scholarships to summer camps, classes and workshops to under resourced youth. Over 60,000 students in the past 30 years have benefited from these Youth Education programs. Lakeland Community Theatre donates, partners with and supports great community organizations such as The SPCA of Lakeland, Lighthouse Ministries, The Imperial Symphony Orchestra, The Historic Polk Theatre, Theatre Winter Haven, Platform Florida, Polk Museum of Art, Talbot House Ministries, Parker Street Ministries and VISTE just a few to name. Lakeland Community Theatre is a 501c3 non profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors, a staff of four employees which include an Artistic Managing Director, Business Manager, Education Director and Technical Director ; also numerous contracted artistic staff and technicians are employed throughout the Season.
