The Laredo Little Theatre celebrates
50th anniversary season

By Paul de la Peña-Franceschi

Except for a brief hiatus after World War II, the Laredo Little Theatre (LLT) has consistently performed in Laredo over the past 50 years. Although the LLT archives show that a group of citizens first presented a musical number in 1911 at Market Hall, it wasn't until 1923 that Aloysius H. Notzon founded the Amateur Theatre and served as its first director. A musical, Her Song, was produced in 1928 with a cast of 85 and coordinated in conjunction with the Washington's Birthday Celebration.
During World War II, HMS Pinafore was presented in cooperation with Special Services from the Laredo Gunnery School, but for the most part, during the war years the Laredo Little Theatre became dormant and in the fall of 1953 was revived by Hortense Reuthinger Offerle and Stanley Keilson.
Since the Laredo Little Theatre did not have a home, it began staging performances at the Lamar Middle School Auditorium in the 1960s. Despite not having its own home, Theatre members were determined to bring live, local community theatre to Laredo. The mission of the Laredo Little Theatre is to preserve, develop, and promote the arts and culture in Laredo and the surrounding communities. The scope of the theatre's programming has included theatre arts, dance, and music.
Laredo Junior College (now Laredo Community College) hosted the Laredo Little Theatre for a short time at the theatre in the round. Some of the plays performed there were A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The House of Bernarda de Alba, Medea, On Borrowed Time, On Golden Pond, Arsenic and Old Lace, Vanities, and Blood Wedding, among others.
In 1982 the City of Laredo offered the Laredo Little Theatre the use of the current building at the old air base movie theatre. This has been the home of the LLT, although it is not their own property. Because the facility is not set up as a performing arts venue, it lacks the opportunity to expand and hence limits the opportunity for the LLT to stage larger productions.
Since 1953 the LLT has maintained a high level of professionalism and has a well-organized group of volunteers including José María "Chema" Guevara, Dianne Ramirez, and Guillermo "Memo" Lopez. The Theatre also maintains a board of directors each season. The 2003-2004 board consists of president José María Guevara, secretary Dianne Ramirez, treasurer Sandra Rangel, and corresponding secretary Brenda García. Board members include Henry Cortinas, Nancy de Anda, Sam Johnson, Bede Leyendecker, Guillermo Lopez, Rafael Martinez, Laurie Moreno, and Sally Vasquez. The 50th anniversary steering committee includes Sam Johnson and Paul de la Peña-Franceschi.
The Laredo Little Theatre has prepared a variety of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary year. The first production of this season, Dracula, runs October 17-19 and October 24-26. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. For more information about the Laredo Little Theatre call (956) 723-1342.