Founded in 1934, the Little Theatre of Alexandria began as a small play-reading group in Old Town Alexandria under the Presidency of
Miss Mary Lindsey. Full productions ensued, and in 1939 the group bought a rickety former blacksmith’s shop located in Ramsey Alley,
between Lee and Fairfax streets, for rehearsal space and construction of sets and costumes. Since 1934, the theatre has mounted over
300 productions.
Early productions were held upstairs at Gadsby’s Tavern and recreated life in the eighteenth century, right down to the visit of
President and Mrs. Washington journeying from their Mount Vernon home. Over the years, audience members included a
veritable “Who’s Who” of Washington. President Harry S. Truman attended on more than one occasion, and notes say that Lynda
Bird Johnson even participated as a serving wench! In June 2001, President George W. Bush made LTA his first Washington-area
theatrical outing when he came to see his sister-in-law perform in Neil Simon’s Proposals.
During the early 1940’s with war in both Europe and Asia, LTA members decided to suspend operations. In a time of war rationing,
theatre seemed like a luxury that was best set aside until peace returned. During the hiatus, Robert and Alice Whitton, the
Theatre’s second and eighth Presidents respectively, continued to rent the workshop space and collected dues regularly from
about 100 members. In late 1945, the Whitton’s called a meeting for the purpose of resuming normal operations.
During the 1950s, the hunt was on for a theatre of our own, and an empty lot at the corner of Wolfe and St. Asaph streets
became the permanent home of LTA. At first, Alexandria generously agreed to rent the space to LTA for $1 per year. The
theatre building was finally completed, and the first production—the comedy “Send Me No Flowers”—opened on November 18, 1961.
A west wing was added five years later to accommodate dressing rooms, a sewing room, a rehearsal hall and carpenter shop.
A later addition included additional shop space and the Council Green Room. In the 1970s LTA formally purchased the land
from the city of Alexandria.
LTA has been led by many individuals. Anne Devenold Lash has guided the theatre more than any other
President, serving six terms in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Frank Shutts and Al Edick were both elected to four terms.
Noteworthy Presidents from the early years include Merrill Beede and Kay Beede, who were elected to five Presidential
terms between the two of them; Otilla Bassford and Joseph Sherman, both of whom were elected to three terms when the Board,
not the membership, elected its leader from its Governors.
Today, LTA is the oldest award-winning theater in the Washington metro area and one of only a few community theaters in the
country with its own building and an ambitious 7-show season. Proud of our rich heritage, LTA is excited about its future.
We may be a little theater, but our expectations are gigantic.
Little Theatre of Alexandria
600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Box Office: 703-683-0496
Business Office: 703-683-5778
Fax: 703-683-1378
asklta@thelittletheatre.com
All photographs courtesy of Little Theatre of Alexandria and Peter Piraneo.
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