The History of Theatre Huntsville

A Legacy of Community and Creativity

In 1957, Huntsville’s theatre scene took its first bow.

What started as a small but passionate group of performers has grown into the Theatre Huntsville you know and love today!

The Beginning: Huntsville Little Theatre

Four young men working together on a woodworking project in a workshop. Two are sitting, one is standing, and one is leaning over their work.

On February 5, 1957, Huntsville’s first-ever theatre group was born—Huntsville Little Theatre (HLT). At the time, only one other performing arts group existed in town: the Huntsville Community Chorus.

HLT’s mission was clear:

  • To spark a love for the dramatic arts in the community

  • To promote and strengthen interest in live theatre

  • To help its members grow in their craft

The founding officers:
William W. Schwarz – President
Dorothy Jones – Vice President
Virginia Holley – Treasurer
Mildred Merchant – Secretary

Their first production? Dear Ruth. Their final bow? I Remember Mama in 1997.

HLT also had a heart for young audiences.

In its first decade, the group staged a children’s play every season. But soon, one show per year wasn’t enough. This passion for youth theatre led to the founding of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre in the early 1960s.

Black and white photo of a group of young women performing a dance, dressed in costumes with feathered headdresses, and a man playing the piano in the foreground.
Three people dressed in colorful vintage costumes, including a woman in a red and orange outfit with a white hat, a man in a green and white suit with a green bow tie and top hat, and a woman in a floral dress with a yellow hat.
A black and white image of a woman dressed in a regal, historical costume with elaborate embroidery and details, standing with her hand on her hip.
A vintage photo showing two couples talking at a reception desk, with women on one side and men seated on the other, in a setting with colorful artwork on the wall.
A black and white photo of a young man and woman standing close, with the man holding a small object, possibly a camera or flashlight, as they both look at it.
Five people, including three women and two men, work on moving or organizing boxes and papers down a staircase. One woman is sitting on the floor next to a box with papers, while another woman is reaching toward the staircase. A man on the staircase
Three men dressed in cowboy attire, with two wearing large cowboy hats and one in a checkered shirt, sitting indoors in front of a wooden wall and window.
Two men in formal attire, one with curly hair and the other with straight dark hair, posing for a photo. The man with straight hair is making a gesture with his hand, pointing his index finger upward.
Two men standing next to a small vintage trolley car with the text 'NYC' painted on it in yellow.
Three young men in a room with a brick wall and exposed wooden ceiling beams. One is standing with one arm raised, another is leaning against a wall with one hand in his pocket, and the third is sitting on a brick ledge. The photo has a sepia tone.

Twickenham Repertory Company (TRC): A New Act

Fast-forward to September 17, 1981, when the Twickenham Repertory Company (TRC) took the stage. Initially backed by an arts grant, TRC launched with a professional core of trained theatre artists.

When the grant ended, TRC transformed into a community theatre group, keeping the magic alive with local talent.

Their final show? God’s Favorite in 1997.

Black and white photo of four women and two men in a workshop or garage surrounded by boxes, lumber, and tools. One woman is sitting at a workbench, and others are standing nearby.
A man with a mustache and curly hair, wearing a white t-shirt, sitting on a red chair, wrapping or working on a light-colored object with a green component at a table.
A woman smiling while holding a white laundry basket filled with laundry, standing in a bedroom with a wooden dresser and a dark wall.
A black and white photo showing a woman with short curly hair sitting on a table, holding a cigarette, while a man with dark hair, wearing a white shirt and tie, stands close to her, both looking at each other. Another young man in a white shirt is r
A man with dark hair and beard stands next to a voting booth, holding a paper and smiling.
A woman is applying makeup or examining a woman's face while another woman looks on in a close-up shot in black and white.
Three men dressed in colorful, old-fashioned costumes resembling circus or comedy characters, wearing bowler hats and fake mustaches.
A woman and a man sit at a table in a restaurant or café, smiling and looking at the camera. The woman is wearing a plaid shirt in warm colors, and the man is wearing a checkered shirt with a light-colored hat. The table has glasses and magazines or
Man standing beside a person in a horse costume, which has horse legs and a horse head, with a red blanket on its back, indoors with curtain backdrop.
A woman is giving a cake with candles to a seated person in a busy kitchen or bakery, with several other women and kitchen items visible in the background.
A black-and-white scene of a theatrical play with seven actors on stage, depicting a domestic setting with furniture, including a checkered sofa, chairs, and a small table. The actors are dressed in period costumes, engaged in a scene with one actor

The Grand Merger: Theatre Huntsville
Is Born

By 1997, it was clear—HLT and TRC shared the same mission, the same passion, and even the same actors and tech crew.

Instead of competing, they united, creating what we now know as Theatre Huntsville.

Our mission remains the same today:
“To foster, encourage, strengthen, and perpetuate member and civic interest in theatre and the dramatic arts—primarily through the production of theatrical performances.”

From our first curtain rise in 1957 to today, Theatre Huntsville has been bringing stories to life, one performance at a time.

And the best part?

The show is far from over!