Albuquerque Little Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Albuquerque Little Theatre was founded in 1930 by a group of civic-minded citizens led by Irene Fisher, a reporter and the society editor for the New Mexico Tribune. The idea of a local theatre group was born when Ms. Fisher attended a lecture by a professional actress named Kathryn Kennedy O'Connor who moved to New Mexico
for health reasons in 1927. Ms. Fisher led the campaign to raise an operating budget
of $1,000 and Ms. Connor was hired as the theatre's director. ALT spent its first six years at the KiMo Theatre
in downtown Albuquerque
.
In 1936, ALT moved into its present home located at 224 San Pasquale SW, just south of the historic Old Town section of Albuquerque. The original building designed by famed southwestern architect, John Gaw Meem
, was the first structure in Albuquerque to be built by the Works Progress Administration
as part of President Franklin Roosevelt
's "New Deal
."
O'Connor retired as the Theatre's director in 1961 and the board named Bernard Thomas to succeed her as ALT's full time director. Bernie served as ALT's full time director from 1961 to 1980. Bernie retired from ALT in 1980 after the 50th anniversary season. He was replaced by his technical Director
Michael Myers who served as producing director until 1986 when Sandy Brady replaced him, and Carol Fleming was named General Manager in 1988. She stayed with ALT until 1996.
In March 1997, Larry D. Parker was named as new Executive Director
of the Albuquerque Little Theatre and continued producing quality theatre through the 2005-06 Season.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
for health reasons in 1927. Ms. Fisher led the campaign to raise an operating budget
Operating budget
An operating budget is the annual budget of an activity stated in terms of Budget Classification Code, functional/subfunctional categories and cost accounts. It contains estimates of the total value of resources required for the performance of the operation including reimbursable work or services...
of $1,000 and Ms. Connor was hired as the theatre's director. ALT spent its first six years at the KiMo Theatre
KiMo Theater
The KiMo Theatre is a theatre located at 423 Central Avenue NW in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico and it is probably the city's best-known landmark...
in downtown Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
.
In 1936, ALT moved into its present home located at 224 San Pasquale SW, just south of the historic Old Town section of Albuquerque. The original building designed by famed southwestern architect, John Gaw Meem
John Gaw Meem
John Gaw Meem IV was an American architect based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is best known for his instrumental role in the development and popularization of the Pueblo Revival style...
, was the first structure in Albuquerque to be built by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
as part of President Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's "New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
."
O'Connor retired as the Theatre's director in 1961 and the board named Bernard Thomas to succeed her as ALT's full time director. Bernie served as ALT's full time director from 1961 to 1980. Bernie retired from ALT in 1980 after the 50th anniversary season. He was replaced by his technical Director
Technical director
The Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...
Michael Myers who served as producing director until 1986 when Sandy Brady replaced him, and Carol Fleming was named General Manager in 1988. She stayed with ALT until 1996.
In March 1997, Larry D. Parker was named as new Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Albuquerque Little Theatre and continued producing quality theatre through the 2005-06 Season.