TOM MORAN introduced Steve Koehler, Managing Director, Civic Theatre of 
Greater Lafayette, who began with a little history of the organization. Lafayette Little Theater started presenting plays to its membership in 1931 in Duncan Hall and the auditorium of Sunnyside Jr. High. Membership peaked in the 1950's and declined dramatically in the 1960's. In 1964 Lafayette Little Theater disbanded. The next year Civic Theatre sprang from the ashes with a new model. It was now an organization that welcomed everyone. In 1981 the Monon Depot Theatre opened with 155 seats and a thrust stage. The No Show Ball funds improvements to the building.
Civic's programs include Main Stage productions (400 productions in the past 80 years); Civic Under the Stars at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater; Staged Readings (shows that have challenging subject material that are read by actors); Holiday Shows; and Civic Youth Theatre Shows. There is also an extensive education and outreach program offered by Civic. Steve stayed after the meeting to answer questions.
