History of Little Theatre of Manchester

Organized in 1960 under the aegis of the Recreation Department, The Little Theatre of Manchester, Inc. is a theater company of, by and for the community. In 1966, LTM re-organized as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation in the State of Connecticut. Since 1961, LTM has produced at least three major dramatic works each year, a total of 577 performances of 133 major productions, playing to an total estimated audience of a quarter of a million people. Over 1,000 nonprofessional actors have performed in LTM shows and another 700 volunteers have worked backstage and on the business side of the company's operations. Since 1991, LTM has resided in Cheney Hall, a National Historic Landmark building and the oldest operating theater in Connecticut.

For over twenty years, LTM used a variety of "workshops" for holding meetings, building scenery and rehearsing plays; performances were held at local school auditoriums in Manchester and East Hartford. In 1982, the Town of Manchester asked LTM to consider taking over the operation of Cheney Hall, once it was restored. LTM agreed and went on to spearhead the drive to raise the funds for the renovation project. With an extraordinary community base and experienced fundraisers, LTM was responsible for raising $1.8 million toward the $2.6 million cost of restoring Cheney Hall to it former glory. In 1991 the award winning renovations were completed and the Little Theatre of Manchester moved into Cheney Hall, operating the facility for the town of Manchester. This remarkable and unique relationship is a model for non-profits throughout the state and the nation.

LTM has collaborated, promoted, planned and engaged the community to make Cheney Hall an arts and cultural center for the region. In addition to its four main stage annual productions, which represent a minimum of 39 performances, LTM also produces the 5-week Rascal Rep Summer repertory program for youngsters.  At Cheney Hall you’ll find art exhibitions in the Silk Room, a culturally diverse performing arts program that includes dances, big band, zydeco, jazz and folk music concerts, bringing nationally and internationally recognized artists to the hall and to the Greater Hartford community. The Hall is used by other community performing arts organizations like the Manchester Musical Players and Summit Studios and by numerous community and civic groups for variety of events open to the public.

With the ongoing support of local businesses, corporations, state and local government, and public foundations, the diverse programming has expanded LTM's presence on both sides of the river, gaining it wide recognition as one of the finest community theater companies in the state.

History of Cheney Hall
Cheney Hall, an elegant Victorian structure, was designed by Hammat Billings of Boston in 1866 for Cheney Brothers Company, renowned silk industrialists. The Hall was built as a theatre and cultural community facility for Manchester. The architecture is that of the French Second Empire Style with medieval and renaissance characteristics. Architectural features include a Mansard roof, segmented and full circle windows, brick and brownstone arches, intricate corbelledcornices, carved oak and chestnut trim in arabesque patterns and an 1866 E. & G. G. Hook tracker organ built into the rear stage wall.

Dedicated in 1867 by Horace Greeley, Cheney Hall opened its doors to local theatrical/musical events and gala parties and balls. Theatrical touring companies played at the Hall and there were lectures by prominent speakers of the day, including Presidents Grover Cleveland and William H. Taft; Susan B. Anthony, Henry Ward Beecher and Phillips Brooks (the composer of O Little Town of Bethelem). For over six decades the Hall served as a library, lecture and concert hall, theatre, armory (during the Spanish American War), banquet hall, hospital, school, church, and tea room.

With social and political changes, the silk industry and the use of Cheney Hall declined. The Hall became a fabric salesroom in 1925 and finally closed its doors in 1976.

In 1978 Cheney Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark Building by the U. S. Department of the Interior. Three years later it was donated to the Town of Manchester and subsequently leased by the Cheney Hall Foundation, a town agency, to The Little Theatre of Manchester, Inc. (LTM). In 1991 an extensive, award-winning restoration was completed. Cheney Hall is now LTM's theatrical residence and the Little Theatre manages the Hall as a facility for other cultural, business, civic and private functions.