Kalamazoo Civic Theatre history

The 537 seat Civic Theatre was built in 1931 as a non-professional community theater employing amateur talent, and continues active.

1933 - Norman Carver Sr. was instrumental in forming the Michigan Little Theatre Enclave (later to become the Community Theatre Association of Michigan).

1945 - In order to support the war effort, the Civic began touring productions to outlying communities.

1949 - The Imaginary Invalid was staged in an arena style setting.

1950 - The Civic staged its 200th production The Madwoman of Chaillot.

1952 - Norman Carver was elected to be the first president of the newly formed National Organization of Community Theatres.

1953 - The Civic celebrated its 25th anniversary.

1956 - The tradition of opening the season with a musical began a tradition that continues to this day.

1958 - James Carver joined The Civic staff as a Production Assistant.

1960 - The Civic was the first community theatre in the nation to present A Raisin in the Sun.

1969 - The Civic entered its first AACT festival.

1974 - James Carver was promoted to Managing Director of The Civic.

1983 - Fools, having won first place in State and Regional AACT/Fest competition, went on to represent The Civic at the National Festival.

1989 - The Civic presented its 500th production Our Town.

1994 - The Civic produced Dancing at Lughnasa.

1995 - A Capital Campaign was undertaken to fund a complete renovation of the Civic Auditorium as well as the construction of the Suzanne D. Parish Theatre.

1997 - Dancing at Lughnasa traveled to Monaco, representing the United States at an international theatre festival sponsored by the Princess Grace Foundation.

1998 - August of 1998 brought the opening of a multi-million dollar state of the art arena style performance space.

1999 - The Civic's production of Forever Plaid won first place in State and Regional AACT/Fest competition.

2000 - The Kalamazoo Civic Players and the Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium merged to form the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre.

2004 - The Civic celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a Gala Reunion Concert, which featured former volunteers that have gone on to careers in regional theatre, film, and opera as well as on Broadway and television.

2005 - The Senior Class Reader's Theatre program was launched with a semi-staged production of Ladies of the Corridor.

2006 - As part of the newly created Artist-in-Residence program, Broadway performers Ron Schwinn, Jerry Dixon, Peg Small and acclaimed author Alma Bond shared their skills and insights with the Civic staff, guest artists and volunteers.

2007 - The Civic was chosen as the first community theatre in the country to present a pilot production of the Tony Award winning musical Avenue Q,. A little bit naughty, and a whole lot of fun, this provocative show broke all attendance records for the Parish Theatre.