The Belmont Theatre facts for kids
| Former names | York Little Theatre (1933–2016; 9–92 yrs ago) |
|---|---|
| Address | 27 S. Belmont Street York, Pennsylvania 17403  United States |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1949 (as Elmwood Theatre) |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Renovated | 2015 |
| Expanded | 1997 |
The Belmont Theatre is a community theater in York, Pennsylvania. It was first known as York Little Theatre. This theater started on February 5, 1933. It was part of a big idea called the Little Theatre Movement. This movement helped local communities create their own plays.
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How the Theatre Started
In its early days, the theatre didn't have its own building. It used spaces from places like the local Women's Club and the York Collegiate Institute. Its very first full play was Lady Windermere's Fan. This play was performed on December 14, 1933, at the Phineas Davis School.
The theatre tried twice to get its own place, but it didn't work out. Finally, it found a permanent home. This new home was the Elmwood Theatre, which used to be a movie theater. The Elmwood Theatre was built in 1949. The Belmont Theatre signed a special agreement in July 1953. This agreement allowed them to buy the building over time. They owned the building completely by May 1956, which was seven years earlier than planned!
Growing and Leading the Way
Many talented people have helped the theatre grow. Bert Smith was the artistic director from 1953 to 1982. Eric Bradley Long then led the artistic side until 2010. In 2012, Rene Staub became the artistic director. That same year, Lyn Bergdoll became the executive director.
The theatre got a big addition in 1997. This new part was about 7,000 square feet. Over $1 million was raised to build it. Henry Leader helped lead this fundraising effort. He is the brother of a former Pennsylvania governor.
By 2012, the theatre was doing very well. It had paid off its debts. It also made important improvements to the building and stage equipment. This happened after a tough time for the economy in 2008.
New Name and Traditions
The theatre changed its name in mid-2016. It became The Belmont Theatre, named after the street it is on. Lyn Bergdoll, the executive director, explained why. The old name, "little theater," used to mean "community theater." But over time, it started to mean "children's theater" or "smaller shows." The new name helps everyone know it's a community theater for all kinds of plays.
One of the theatre's most popular ways to raise money is at the York Fair. They have an annual food stand there. They sell delicious steak sandwiches. Betty Gerberick started this stand in 1957. Volunteers have always helped run it. In 2017, the theatre teamed up with the local Roosevelt Tavern. This partnership helps run the food stand from 2018 onwards.
Special Performances
Besides its regular plays, the theatre also hosts other events. These include community shows and musical performances. In December 2015, a group called the Unforgettable Big Band performed there. This band is from York. They played a special show to celebrate Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. Two audiences came to watch, and both shows were completely sold out!
Famous People Who Started Here
Some people who performed at The Belmont Theatre later became famous. These include Rebecca Wisocky and Sam Freed.
