Boise Little Theater History
Boise Little Theater began its distinguished history of continuous productions in 1948, making it one of the oldest volunteer-organized community theaters in the nation. It has demonstrated extraordinary stability, many of its members have been with the organization for over forty years, and some from the very beginning.
After a devastating fire in 1956 that destroyed the theater building at Gowen Field and caused the death of two BLT members, a new theater was built in the Fort Boise area of Boise City. This unique round theater has become a city landmark.
An alphabetical listing of all the plays presented by BLT since 1948 can be viewed here.
RECOGNITION
Beaulahs are BLT’s version of the Oscar. It started in 1949 when Sandra Price was awarded the Best Actress Beaulah for her performance in “Stage Door.” Jean Sorrells and Marian Moehlmann came up with our present “mold” in the early ’50s and Beaulahs were awarded to Best Actor and Best Actress every July since then at BLT’s annual Awards Picnic.
See a listing of Beulah Awards and their recipients
SEE HOW WE’VE GROWN
The theater was originally designed by Arthur L. Troutner of Trus-dek Corp. The plans included the curved laminated beams in the ceiling, one of the first examples of this type of construction. Mr. Troutner went on to form Truss Joist Corporation and he would often visit to show clients an example of the beams that his company was constructing. Except for the front portion of the lobby, all the flat roof is added on. The expansions were part of the original plan designed by Mr. Troutner. Mr. Paul Moehlmann, Sr., Master Brick Mason, and several volunteers donated the brickwork for the original structure.
A booklet about our first 60 years.