Show time is 8:00 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday & 2:00 p.m. Sunday

Box office opens June 1st. Hours are noon to 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and show days from noon to show time.
 

Reserved Seats	$ 8.00
Reserved Bench Seats	$7.00
General Admission 18 & over	$6.00
Gereral Admission students (grades 1-12)	$5.00
General Admission preschool	$3.00

Address:      Box 42
                     LaMoure, ND 58458

Telephone number:        701-883-5230

For other questions, call Mary @ 701-883-5544 or Mike @ 701-742-3417 or visit the LCSMT  web site!

LaMoure County Summer Musical Theatre
 
 

In the 1870's, pioneers of the area gathered in the natural loop formed by the meandering James River to relax from the rigorous life of the day.   The gatherings continued and on April 8, 1920, the LaMoure County Commissioners approved a resolution to establish a Memorial Park at Grand Rapids, ND.  This park was to commemorate the soldiers and sailors of LaMoure County who fought in the "Great War".  The purchased land was known as Old Settlers Park or the Old Grove.

To better serve the purpose for which the people have contributed, it is necessary that there be erected upon said park a speakers pavilion.  From this idea the Chatauqua Auditorium was built in 1921 at a cost of $6994.00.  In 1936, the auditorium floor was covered with an oil mix at a cost of  $151.25.  In 1949, the park was dedicated to all county veterans of Foreign Wars.  This auditorium was constructed to serve as a center for countywide events, political gatherings, eighth grade graduation and church services.

In 1971-1972, Ron Zimmerman, Taylor, ND, Music teacher at LaMoure School, directed two plays at  the school, "Oliver" and "Camelot".  In 1972, after standing unused for several years, the idea of using the auditorium's stage for presenting a summer theatre came to Mr. Zimmerman.  He contacted the  LaMoure County Commissioners about renovating the Grand Rapids Auditorium.   Many loads of dirt were removed finding the asphalt floor again.  White and gold paint brightened the stage and light bulbs outlined the rafters and stage floor.

The LaMoure County Summer Musical Theatre opened June 15, 1972 with the presentation of "The Fantasticks" to an audience of 35.   Though the first audiences were small, they were enthusiastic. The theatre was incorporated in July of 1973 and Myron Just was elected as the first president of the Board of Directories.  In 1974 the first grant was received from the ND Council on the Arts and Humanities and The National Endowment for the Arts.

The first youth show, "Imagine That", was directed by Pat Werner in 1975.  The leading lady was 12 years old.  In 1976, this group took the name "Park Players".  The youth shows now are produced by the Missoula Children's Theatre, which travels to several communities each year, arriving Monday to conduct tryouts, rehearsing throughout the week, and then performing on Friday and Saturday  evenings.  Missoula college students generally play the two lead roles.  Every attempt is made to use as many children as possible in these plays.
 
 

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