About LCT
Walter Dundon Kay La Rue Al Thompson Marian Stave
About LCT
Lompoc Civic Theatre was formed in 1973 with the first performance of A Thousand Clowns. Since then, LCT has produced nearly 200 plays, musicals, one-act plays, dinner theaters, murder mystery parties, and variety shows.
LCT is a volunteer-only organization, dedicated to educating, entertaining and providing a creative outlet for the people of Lompoc and the surrounding cities. Over the years, LCT directors, actors, playwrights, and crew members have come from all walks of life, including students, teachers, radio DJs, entrepreneurs, accountants, Air Force personnel and even a serving Lompoc Mayor just to name a few.
History of Theatre in Lompoc
The world has always been full of drama. Lompoc is no different.
The Lompoc Minstrels and the Whitehill’s Club Minstrels staged plays at the Lompoc Opera House, on South H Street from 1892 to 1927.
For a short time, a Lompoc Dramatic Club was organized in the 1920s. Members met in the basement of the Lompoc library (now the Lompoc Museum) on South H Street. The club performed only one play. During the 1920s and 30s, local clubs such as the Rotary and the Kiwanis also produced dramas, many at Calvert family’s Lompoc Theatre, built in 1927 at 112 North H Street.
In 1948, the Lompoc Community Theater (The first LCT) was formed. Many of these new members belonged to the little theater sections of the Community Women’s Club. From 1948, the group read plays in members houses and started to renovate one of Lompoc’s closed schools into a community theater. They produced several plays of the Lompoc Community Center, which is now the site of the Anderson Recreation Center on Walnut. From 1952-1957, several plays were staged at the Lompoc Junior High Auditorium at 217 North L street.
The Valley Playhouse Lompoc, Inc. Was organized in 1962 and operated until 1971. The Valley Playhouse combined forces with another group known as the First Nighters in the mid-60s, but lost steam by the end of 1971.
In 1972, interest in community theater was revived when Al Thompson, Walter Dundon and Katherine (Kay) La Rue got together and formed Lompoc Civic Theater (LCT).
On February 16, 1973, Herb Gardener’s A Thousand Clowns was presented as LCT’s first production, starring Marian Stave, who was the constant driving force behind LCT until her death in 2020.
LCT is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Community theaters do the bulk of American play production. Many participants become experts as actors and technicians, going on to successful careers in the arts.
Lompoc is alive with art in all forms. Lompoc Civic Theatre is a place where a newcomer can find friends and instant family. LCT welcomes everyone at every level of experience.
Find out more about the LCT by visiting our Website, find us on social media or write or call at PO Box 69, Lompoc, CA 93438, 805-735-ACT1
The LCT Board Members
LCT board members are nominated in late fall, and voted on at the December Membership meeting every year. Each board member serves a term of two years. Only current members in good standing are eligible to vote in board member elections, or run for a board position.
Current Board members are:
President - Larry McLellan
Vice-President - Mike Sewall
Recording Secretary - Emma Recher
Corresponding Secretary - Michelle Pittenger
Treasurer - Anne Ramsey
Members-at-Large - Michael Callahan
Committees
Any LCT member can serve on a committee. There are a number of committees that research issues, provide support on projects, and assist the board and membership on a variety of issues. The play reading committee, for example, reads through plays and offers recommendations to the board for future productions.
Lompoc, CA 93438
(805) 735-ACT1