There are no bad seats at the Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg.
Located in a former 1863 one-room schoolhouse, the venue marks a unique, intimate space for show business in the small town and the broader region.
“We have one of the smallest theatres in the area,” said John Kubasko, vice president of the theatre, emphasizing that the 64-seat space creates an immersive experience for audiences. “If you’re sitting in the front rows, you feel like you’re a part of the show.”
This year, the theatre celebrated a big anniversary, marking 75 years of bringing live community theatre to the Mechanicsburg area.
The organization traces its roots back to 1950 when a group of students from Mechanicsburg Junior High School, who shared a passion for the arts, began gathering to read plays together.
The volunteer-run nonprofit found its current home in 1964 when the former Kohlertown School House was purchased for $10 and transformed into a theatre.
Over the past several decades, the old schoolhouse building has been upgraded with a light booth, new seats, two lobby areas with restrooms and two dressing rooms.
Prior to the upgrades, the facility had no dressing rooms, requiring actors in the 1970s to change costumes in their cars. What’s more, the original brick outhouse served as the theatre’s only restroom.
The theatre just concluded a successful anniversary season. The 75th year wrapped with the popular, Tony-Award winning musical, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” which sold out every performance during its May 29 to June 14 run.
A majority of Sweeney Todd’s 15 cast members made their Little Theatre debut with this show.
Jacquie McNary, who played the leading role of Mrs. Lovett, said the production embodied the spirit of community theatre.
“Working on ‘Sweeney Todd’ at the Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg has truly been a joy and everything I want when I think of community theatre,” McNary said. “Everyone I’ve met through the production process, including Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg board members, producers, crew, the creative team, and the cast, have been so welcoming to me as a newcomer.”
McNary previously performed in productions at Theatre Harrisburg and Keystone Theatrics but said her experience with the Little Theatre highlighted the organization’s emphasis on collaboration and community involvement.
“We build trust and support each other, lift each other up when we are feeling low or tired, and share our success knowing that a great performance relies on every single player, both onstage and behind the scenes,” McNary said.
Local businesses throughout Mechanicsburg supported the big anniversary season by making donations in return for ads featured in each show’s playbill program, according to Marley Warren, the theatre’s treasurer and benefit coordinator.
“We’ve had a lot of partnerships with local organizations like Buhrig, where they’ve provided us wonderful services over the years,” said Warren, referencing a local funeral home. “We also have advertisers right now that we haven’t had for several years but have returned because of the popularity of ‘Sweeney Todd.’”
Warren emphasized that the theatre’s success depends on the dedication of its volunteers and the strong sense of community these volunteers help create. At the Little Theatre, all actors, directors and production crew members are volunteers, who donate their time and talent to put productions together.
Kubasko encourages those of all ages to come out and audition.
“It’s a safe place to put yourself out there,” he said. “If there’s someone who hasn’t acted since high school but has always wanted the opportunity to do it again, you can come out for auditions and take baby steps.”
As Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg prepares to begin its next season, the board hopes to continue welcoming new volunteers, performers and audience members into its theatre family.
The 76th season will kick off with William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” from Aug. 7 to Aug. 23, continuing to bring classical as well as modern shows to the stage.
“There are so many opportunities to volunteer, no matter your age or skillset,” Warren said. “It’s such a fun community to be a part of.”
The Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg is located at 915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.ltmpa.com.
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