GHCT History

By Pat Ganz

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre is an outgrowth of the Hamilton Little Theatre which was sponsored by the YWCA. On July 23, 1959, an organizational group met and decided to become an independent theatre company. The first constitution was adapted July 26, 1959.

Properties and assets of the Little theatre were transferred to GHCT. Although relations with the YWCA were good, the group felt limited under their sponsorship. These assets, plus money donated by the founding patrons, provided the needed funds to be an independent community theatre group.

The first board of directors in 1959 was chaired by C. C. Fracker. For many years to come, Mr. Fracker was the driving creative force behind GHCT. The guidelines that were drawn up at those first meetings enabled GHCT to grow and prosper through the years.

GHCT Began with two commercial productions a season. In the 1961-62 season it was expanded to three productions and in 1966-67 expanded to four commercial productions, on of which was a small musical.

The group also produced one or two show cases each year until 1967-68. A Showcase was an evening of theatrical entertainment, usually one act plays, offered to GHCT members and their guests. It was an opportunity for person interested theatre, but who may lack experience, to try directing, acting or working back stage. It was also an opportunity to experiment with various types of plays and staging techniques. Knowledge gained in Showcase productions was then put to use in the regular commercial season. The first Showcase was presented January 26, 1960. As you can see, GHCT began immediately to provide education and training for the membership.

Some other early facts:

In 1963-64, a religious musical satire was produced in cooperation with seven churches. At that time GHCT had a religious wing and did such plays as, "For Heaven's Sake", directed by Claire Fitton. the play was presented at the United Methodist Church on Park Ave. Women's groups from various churches took turns providing refreshments at each performance.

Starting in the 1964-65 season GHCT participated in Hamilton's Fine Arts festival with an evening of one act plays and continued to do this until the festival was no longer offered.

From 1966-67, a Children's Theatre play was done each year for several years.

Four different years, GHCT produced Community Service one act plays. These were done in cooperation with such groups as the Butler County Council on Alcoholism.

Season tickets were first attempted in the 1962-63 season with a total of 150 being sold. By the 1968-69 season, that number rose to 866.

In 1969, a Speakers Bureau was formed for social and service organizations in Hamilton, Fairfield and surrounding area. From June through September, a group could schedule a GHCT speaker on our season or other related theatre topics. This was part of the educational wing of the organization.

The membership activities included business meetings, programs on theatre and drama as well as dinner dances, a Beaux Arts Ball and picnics.

During the first ten years, GHCT provided several workshops for the membership as well. These workshops included ones on lighting, makeup and acting. Several professionals from Miami University, University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park were brought in to teach these seminars.

Through these various activities this first decade laid a strong foundation that has enabled GHCT to still be alive and active today.

During the first ten years, GHCT produced a total of 76 productions:

A dream of GHCT, then and now is to have a building of our own. In May of 2004, the first part of our dream was realized with the purchase of the old Palace Theatre on 3rd Street in Hamilton. There is much work to be done to make it safe, usable rehearsal and storage space. With a little luck, a grant or two and hopefully some generous donations, we can restore the building to its original beauty.

Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre Founding Patrons

Mr. William Baker Mr. & Mrs. Robert Browning Mr. Robert Chaffer
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Clark Mr. & Mrs. Lester Dickey Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Fille
Mr. & Mrs. George Flenner Mr. & Mrs. C. C. Fracker Mr. & Mrs. Gale Galbreath
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Goodwin Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Hall Mr. & Mrs. George Kappes
Mr. & Mrs. Wally Mayer Mr. & Mrs. Albert Miller Mrs. Gladys Sepin
Mr. & Mrs. Mel Sirk Mr. & Mrs. Lester Steele Mr. & Mrs. William Steele
Mr. & Mrs. William Stroh Mr. & Mrs. Morris Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Traub Mr. & Mrs. Don Tuley Mr. & Mrs. Harry Wilks