Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
 The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in 2013 | |
| Formation | 1961 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Location |
|
Artistic director | Quin Gresham |
| Website | lyceumtheatre |
The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, or simply the Lyceum Theatre, is a regional Equity theater in Arrow Rock, Missouri.[1] Opening in 1961, the theatre is located in an historic church building within the Arrow Rock Historic District, a National Historic Landmark District since 1963. The 416-seat auditorium hosts over 33,000 patrons a year,[2][3] and is Missouri's oldest professional regional theater.[4]
History
[edit]The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre was founded in 1961, and for its first season, performed three nineteenth-century plays on a budget of $3,500.[5] The venue was originally a "1872 Gothic Revival Style" Baptist Church,[4] whose congregation had consolidated with others in town and no longer used the building. Two families, the Lawrences and the Argubrights, co-owned the building and offered to let it be used as a theater. Henry Swanson, a professor at Columbia College was the first artistic director.[6] In 1967, the theater attempted to raise $29,000 to purchase a new property.[7] By its 30th anniversity in 1991, it had hosted 25,000 shows and had around 300,000 attendees.[8] In 1993, the theatre underwent a renovation project to expand the capacity of the venue.[6] In 2004, the theater's dormitory was damaged by a fire. The community provided housing for the cast for the following three seasons.[6] From around 2005 to 2024, its artistic director was Quin Gresham, before his resignation.[9] As of 2017, around 12,000 actors audition for roles at the theater per year.[10] In 2019, the theatre was the first in the state to receive the "Missouri Historical Theatre" designation.[11] In 2022, the Count Basie Orchestra performed at the theater.[12] In 2024, it was renovated to have new seating placed.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Montgomery, Rick (December 12, 2014). "In the tiny town of Arrow Rock, Mo., the curtain rises on hopes of Christmas stardom". Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ "About the Lyceum". lyceumtheatre.org. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ Cremin, Niahm (December 4, 2017). "STAR POWER: Prominent actors flock to Missouri for the Lyceum Theatre". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
- ^ a b Phillips, Authorene Wilson (2005-06-15). Arrow Rock: The Story of a Missouri Village. University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-8262-6464-0.
- ^ Danielsen, Aarik. "Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre seizes its second chance at 60th anniversary season". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ a b c Selby, Sandy (2012). Arrow Rock. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-9154-4.
- ^ "Lyceum Theatre Plans Expansion". Columbia Missourian. 1967-02-12. p. 48.
- ^ Jennings, Ron (1990-05-23). "Lyceum Theatre Prepares 30th Season Celebration". Sedalia Democrat. p. 19.
- ^ Danielsen, Aarik. "As Quin Gresham leaves Arrow Rock for Alabama, a fond look back at his Lyceum tenure". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ Cremin, Niamh (2017-12-04). "Prominent actors flock to Missouri for the Lyceum Theatre". Columbia Missourian. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ "Arrow Rock Lyceum Theater - Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau". www.visitcolumbiamo.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ "Count Basie Orchestra to play at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre on April 24". KTTN-FM 92.3 and KGOZ -FM 101.7. 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
- ^ "NEW SEATS INSTALLED IN LYCEUM THEATRE". KMMO. Retrieved 2025-10-20.