These community theaters make a huge impact on the culture of Jefferson City.
Scene One Theatre
In 2005, Mark and Tracy Wegman opened Scene One Theatre on High Street. Scene One now resides, as of 2016, at 619 E. Capitol Avenue. Their theater group was formed to bring a variety of work to Jefferson City in an alternative form — black box theater.
Black box theaters are simple and flexible, completely black and unadorned so as to be easily transformed into whatever the show calls for. Black box theaters are avant-garde with a goal of bringing the audience into the show.
“The growing theatre scene in Jefferson City is wonderful,” says Mark. “For a city of our size, we have an abundant amount of theatre that rivals some of the big cities. And I’m constantly told that the caliber of talent and professionalism matches that which would be found on Broadway and at many of the professional equity theatres.”
Coming Up:
September 6-8 and 13-15
Short Attention Span Theatre
An evening of original 10-minute plays at the Capital Event Center at 623 Ohio St.
Keep an eye out for their new home and schedule coming soon!
573-635-6713 | sceneonetheatre.com
Facebook: @sceneonetheatre
Stained Glass Theatre of Mid-Missouri
Jefferson City’s Stained Glass Theatre is one of many throughout Missouri. Playwright and director Ron Boutwell created Stained Glass Theatre of Mid-Missouri in 1982 with the help of students from Southwest Baptist University with the goal of using theatre arts to communicate the Christian faith and God’s word to the world. The first theatre opened in Springfield in 1983 and moved to Lake Ozark in 2003. In 1998, branches were opened in Joplin and Columbia. Finally, in 1993, the Jefferson City location was opened at 830 E. High Street.
“We are so fortunate to live in Jefferson City, a city vibrant with the life of theatrical arts,” says SGT Board President Mark Howard. “We have more theatrical groups than many larger cities, in addition to the dramatic endeavors of our local schools. Stained Glass Theatre of Mid-Missouri holds a special niche as a full-time Christian theatre, one of only three in Missouri.”
Coming Up:
September 6-15
“John, His Story”
By Jeanette Clift George
Directed by Denise Thoenen
October 18-27
“That’s Princess — with a Pea!”
By Elliot Baker
Directed by Roger Martin
November 29-December 15
“A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas”
By Laurie Brooks
Directed by Gail Clements
573-634-5313
sgtmidmo.org
Facebook: @sgtmidmo
The Little Theatre of Jefferson City
1005 Chestnut Street, otherwise known as “The Building,” is the home of The Little Theatre of Jefferson City. Formerly the pool house and snack bar for the Jefferson City Swimming Pool, it is now filled with talented and passionate thespians who proudly perform for our community, thanks to attorney Michael Riley, who helped procure the location.
TLTJC originated in 1969 through a St. Mary’s Hospital auxiliary-sponsored production of “Little Mary Sunshine” to raise funds for the hospital. The community excitement and support that followed led to the creation of what we now know as The Little Theatre.
“We are proud of the fact that TLT is run totally by volunteers,” says Maria Bish, a TLTJC trouper. “From the board, to all the cast, crew, and production staff for all of our shows, no one gets paid. We are also proud that we provide costumes, set pieces, and props to the other theater groups, several community organizations, middle schools, and our local high schools.”
Coming Up:
November 15-17
“A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody”
By Ron Bernas
Directed by Claudia Scott
February 14-16
“Mamma Mia!”
By Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Directed by Gabrielle Wittenberger
June 6-8
“Mister Roberts”
By Thomas Heggen and Joshua Logan
Directed by Dr. Laura Vedenhaupt
573-681-9400
tltjc.org
Facebook: @TLTJC
Capital City Players
Capital City Players began bringing Mid-Missouri audiences quality dinner theatre entertainment in 1991. Founded by Rob Crouse, president of the organization, this nonprofit community dinner theatre group first brought local talents together to present “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” During the summer of 2005, CCP formed a summer company that presented dinner theatre productions in the unique setting of Tonanzio’s Restaurant in Guthrie. In January 2007, CCP launched a new era in their history with a theater home at the Shikles Center. The group opened with the highly successful musical “The Full Monty.” Their production of the new Broadway musical “All Shook Up” was the Missouri premiere of the show and made Jefferson City theater history.
“The number of theatre opportunities in Jefferson City for audience members, performers, artists, and technicians is astounding for a community of our size,” says Crouse. “The truly nice aspect is that each theatre has specific and individual missions to which they adhere, which diversifies the offerings, so there’s something to suit everyone’s taste.”
Coming Up:
October: “Cabaret”
December: “Christmas My Way: Frank Sinatra Holiday Bash”
February: “Million Dollar Quartet”
April: “Jesus Christ Superstar”
June: “Mamma Mia!”
August: “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
October: “The Addams Family”
December: “Plaid Tidings”