Joplin Little Theatre

Many Joplin residents believe it’s necessary to travel to Kansas City or Tulsa to see a quality play or musical, but there is another option much closer to home.

In fact, our city offers its own community theater, and it’s an exciting place.

Located on the north side of town near the Joplin Athletic Complex, Joplin Little Theatre (JLT) opens its doors to a new production every other month. These productions cover a variety of genres.

I recently saw Murder at the Howard Johnson’s there, which was a three-person comedy that centered around a bizarre love triangle. There were also two musicals included in this year’s regular season, and a non-season production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in October was so popular that an additional performance had to be added.

So what’s so unique about JLT?

The Performers

I always marvel at the acting, singing and dancing that is showcased on this stage. These performers are Joplin residents who work at our hospitals, banks, schools and local businesses during the day, then reveal their creative sides when they transform into different characters and step onto the stage at the JLT.

The Setting

The theater is housed in the Park Playhouse, a rock building that was once a riding academy. With exposed wooden rafters, rustic chandeliers, and just over 200 seats in the house, the overall feeling is cozy, casual, and inviting.

The Community

JLT is the “oldest continuously operating theater west of the Mississippi,” thanks to the support it receives from the community. In 1973, a group of Joplin women formed the Angel Guild, an organization whose mission is to serve and support the theater. Each year the Angel Guild hosts a gala, and the proceeds from this event are used to fund different projects and needs of the theater, such as paving the parking lot or purchasing a new sound system.

But you don’t have to be a member of the Angel Guild to support JLT. The theater welcomes any donations, and there are some creative ways in which the theater recognizes its sponsors, such as displaying their names on floor tiles and seat plaques.

Of course, you can support JLT simply by attending its productions. You can buy tickets by either calling the ticket office or going online (there is a diagram of the theater on JLT’s website and you can see which seats are available). All pre-purchased tickets can be picked up just prior to curtain time. Season subscriptions are also available, as are lifetime memberships.

In addition to its regular performances, JLT also offers workshops which encourage the budding performers in our community. These workshops cover topics such as costuming, makeup, performance, and stage design, and are offered during the summer to youth, from kindergartners to high schoolers.

While trips to big-city theaters are always a treat, save some gas money and enjoy the vibrant local talent at JLT.

Joplin Little Theatre is located at 3009 W. 1st Street. Click here to visit its website, and here to visit its Facebook page.

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Photos by Travis Smith.

This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.

Click here to visit the Joplin CVB’s Facebook page.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.