The Lamar County Chamber of Commerce continues its Nods to Non-Profits with the Paris Community Theatre in the Spotlight.
We are honored to showcase this amazing organization that has a major impact in our community.
PCT employs one but depends on over 100 volunteers a year to operate. Those who direct, design, act, or even usher do it out of their appreciation for Theatre. PCT was founded in 1976 by members of the community and routinely staged shows on the PJC stage.
In 1982 the organization purchased the Plaza Theatre in downtown Paris, which it still uses to stage most productions.
In 2009 the organization was gifted the Brown Centre for the Creative Arts, which it now uses to host children’s theatre and art classes, production rehearsals, administration, and store a plethora of costumes, set pieces, and construction materials used in productions.
The organization has staged 100s of shows during its existence, ranging from deep dramas to outrageous comedies and musicals.
PCT is continuing to grow.
The current season includes Four Weddings and an Elvis, Dracula, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Shakespeare in Love, The Lion King, and Mamma Mia. Its next season has recently been announced which includes favorites such as The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret.
As with any industry, theatre is constantly changing and evolving. PCT will continue to embrace new technology and seeks to expand its offerings of productions to the community.
In addition to maintaining two historic properties in Downtown Paris, PCT offers low-cost after-school programming and arts enrichment to our community. The arts have proven benefits to all aspects of a community, including education, health, and even the local economy.
PCT proudly supports area theatre programs such as the award-winning North Lamar High School and Paris High School theatre departments. It also routinely draws patrons from the DFW and SE Oklahoma area, who often comment that Paris is lucky to not only have a community theatre but one with such high production quality at a low price.
However, its reach goes beyond the region.
Within the past year alone, patrons have traveled from as far away as New York, Florida, and Oregon to support friends and family members appearing on the PCT stage.
