Springfield Little Theatre is a National Historic Site
and is Missouri's Oldest and Largest Civic Theatre

The Landers Theatre was built in 1909, by John and D.J. Landers and R.W. Steward. It was designed by architects John and Carl Boller. The brick and terra cotta building has been in continuous use either as a legitimate theatre or a motion picture house since it opened with THE GOLDEN GIRL in September 1909. Touring artists and vaudeville, ranging from Lillian Russell to John Philip Sousa and Fanny Brice appeared on the Landers stage. In 1928, the theatre became the 35th facility in the world to acquire "talkies." It continued as a movie theatre until 1970, doing double duty for a time in 1959, when the Landers was also the home of live broadcasts of FIVE STAR JUBILEE, a national NBC-TV show.

The Springfield Little Theatre organization, founded in 1934, bought the Landers in 1970. Since then, a number of major restoration projects have been undertaken, most recently in 1985 and 1988. In those two years, approximately $500,000 worth of work was done to return the facility to its full 1909 elegance. The Landers was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, significant for the excellently preserved Baroque Renaissance/Napoleon style of architecture and decoration. The most recent restorations have been cited with awards from the American Institute of Architects.

The oldest and largest civic theatre operation in Missouri, and one of the largest in mid-America, Springfield Little Theatre produces a mainstage season of six plays and musicals that are attended by some 50,000 Southwest Missourians annually. The Landers is also the performance site for the Springfield Ballet, Springfield, Regional Opera, Springfield Symphony Chamber Series, and numerous other events that range from old time fiddle music and barbershop choruses to modern dance and jazz ensembles. Among Landers alumni who have gone on to national recognition in theatre and film are Kathleen Turner, Tess Harper, and Kim Crosby, the original Broadway Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

The past few years have seen remarkable growth at the Landers Theatre, both in attendance and in programs offered by the organization. In addition to the 75-plus mainstage performances on the Landers Stage, SLT offers a Family Series, performed by the Springfield Ballet, the Youthfest Talent Showcase, and many other activities.

A full range Education Program offers after-school classes and summer workshops to students of all ages. The Theatre's YEStroupe has performed for young people all across the region and as far away Honolulu, Hawaii.

For sixty-five years, the Landers Theatre has been the center of cultural life and entertainment in the Ozarks. As the 21st Century approaches, the theatre is dedicated to maintaining that heritage by presenting the best of live theatre in an environment reflecting a rich past, present and future.