In 1970, a group of local residents, with a strong interest in the performing arts, met in Walhalla to discuss the formation of a community theatre. A steering committee was established chaired by Mrs. Gloria B. Adams. The Rev. George Shealy served as the theatre’s first president.
On September 15, 1971, the Oconee Community Theatre was founded and Oconee County was introduced to live, local theatre with the first production -- Oliver directed by Michael Andron, presented at Seneca Junior High School.
The first year, the Oconee Community Theatre presented primarily children’s theatre productions. It wasn’t until a year later that the OCT presented its first “adult” production, The Red Stocking Review. In April 1973 the first issue of The Spotlight, the theatre’s newsletter was published.
In June 1973, the theatre moved into its first “home”. After two years of presenting performances throughout Oconee County, the theatre moved into the old Home Furniture Bargain Barn on North First Street and named their new theatre space The Mask.
The Mask was an intimate, flexible theatre space that allowed for a variety of theatre styles, including theatre-in-the-round. In January 1980, the theatre purchased their first permanent home, an abandoned movie house on North First St. in Seneca. For nine years the Theatre worked to renovate the movie house and then on a fateful evening in 1989, the theatre was struck by lightning and destroyed by the fire that followed. The new Seneca City Hall was built, in part, on the site of that old theatre.
Without a moment to lose, the Oconee Community Theatre moved into the former Utica Elementary School. This school, built by the Utica mill in 1926, was vacated by the school system the month prior. The old school did not have air conditioning, theatre lighting or a stage suitable for live theatre. With the hard work of several dedicated volunteers, the theatre opened the 1989-1990 season with Annie Get Your Gun right on schedule.
The stage was extended, air conditioning added, the wiring updated and new lighting equipment installed during that long hot summer. Since then, the theatre has added new seating, a sound system, a new roof, dressing rooms, a handicap accessible ramp and lobby renovations to help make this old school a workable community theatre.
For the past twelve years Oconee Community Theatre has conducted summer youth drama workshops. These workshops are designed to give children ages 4 - 18 a taste of live theatre for two weeks during their summer break. Each of the past three years OCT has realized a 30 to 50% increase in participation in its summer workshops.
Oconee Community Theatre enjoys the loyal support of its many patrons whose continued participation in our programs bodes well for the future of OCT. |
