Meridian Little Theatre

Meridian Little Theatre has been bringing laughter and entertainment to East Mississippi and West Alabama for the past 88 years. Established in 1932, it is one of the South’s oldest subscription-based non-profit community theatres. It has since grown to be Mississippi’s largest. Since its beginning, the theatre has been entertaining patrons with a stimulating array of musicals, American standards, and children’s theatre. MLT has always put emphasis on the best in large scale musicals and contemporary plays. Broadway and Off-Broadway productions are well presented with volunteer actors from across the surrounding areas.  

The theatre performs four major productions, a youth production and children’s summer workshop. In recent years, they have added an annual Dinner Theatre and an Oktoberfest Silent Auction. MLT is one of the few theatres in the state to have a Youth Division. The theatre’s youth productions provide entertainment and educational outreach to area children, introducing them to the thrills of live theatre. A normal youth production has a cast of 70 or more youths ranging from ages 6-17, and many volunteers. 

 

 

For 50 years, the late Jimmy Pigford served as Resident Director of MLT. In August of 2013, the theatre was under the direction of Ronnie Miller, until his retirement in 2017. Ellie Massey was Executive/Artistic Director until 2020, and currently, MLT is hosting guest directors. MLT started its 88th season this past October with “Newsies” and went straight into practice for the December production of “The Sound of Music”. “Being forced to innovate through a global pandemic has given us a renewed appreciation for what it means to be a community theatre. Following state restrictions, reducing capacity, and with our patrons being socially distanced, the productions were still a success,” says MLT Executive Business Manager, Stacey Hutcheson. “MLT has been proactive in making plans and taking action to keep our patrons and volunteers safe.”   

“On February 18th, we will start our third show of the season, “Stepping Out”. It is a dancing comedy with a cast of 10 that you will love!  Thinking ahead to our last show of this season, we present the award-winning musical “Oliver”! adds Stacey. “We hope that you will join us in experiencing the love of live theatre that happens right before your eyes!”    

Meridian Little Theatre plays a leading role in the entertainment community for the city of Meridian and East Central Mississippi, and will strive to continue its pursuit of perfection for many years to come. Art is healing. Art is human. Art connects us with one another in ways nothing else can. The art created within the walls of Meridian Little Theatre is essential to our community now more than ever. And the community is essential to the arts. As we have heard many times, “THE SHOW MUST GO ON” and at Meridian Little Theatre; that it has done!

Meridian Little Theatre
4334 Hwy 39, Meridian, MS