Beck Center for the Arts history

Tragedy struck in 1934 when the Lakewood Fire Department turned the fledgling company out of the blacksmith's shop due to code violations.

In 1936, a group of dedicated Lakewood women decided to do something about the inadequate space of the Elks Club.

On May 7, 1938 the Little Theater staged its first production, Fred Ballard's "Ladies of the Jury," in their new home to a sold out crowd of gentlemen in top hats and well-dressed ladies.

In 1944, the lease on the Lucier was up, and the Little Theater purchased the building.

The theater property was purchased outright in 1947.

In 1972, Kenneth Beck provided a major gift to help construct a multipurpose facility for performing and visual arts.

In 1974, Kenneth Beck donated $300,000 to the Lakewood Little Theater, and later gave an additional $300,000.

The Kenneth C. Beck Center was formally opened in 1976 with a black tie celebration.

In addition to the theatrical productions, the center's programs in the 1980's included adult dramatic arts, dance, arts and crafts, and the Children's/Teen Theater, the Museum/Galleria shows, and a special events/performing arts series, including touring dance companies and special concerts.

In the late 1990's, the board made the strategic decision to elevate the theater division to professional status, by paying its actors and thereby having access to the rights to more current theatrical material.

After considering a move to a further western suburb in 2006, studies determined Beck Center’s location in Lakewood was ideal.