Call For Directors: Become A Part Of BLT History

Help Bucyrus Little Theatre Celebrate Its 75th Season

Greetings, fellow theater enthusiasts and aspiring directors in the Bucyrus area and beyond! If you've ever dreamed of taking the helm of a community production, now is your chance to shine. Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) is gearing up for its milestone 75th season, running from September 2026 to June 2027, and we're on the lookout for talented directors to bring our stage to life. Whether you're a seasoned pro or someone with fresh ideas, we want to hear from you. Let's dive into what this opportunity entails and how you can get involved.

What We're Looking For

For this special anniversary year, we're planning four diverse shows that appeal to general audiences, ideally a mix of two musicals and two plays. To celebrate our history, we're particularly interested in revisiting some beloved titles from past seasons.

That said, we're eager to learn about the shows you're passionate about directing. Our Reading Committee will review your suggestions, read the scripts, and propose a slate of directors and productions to the full board in February 2026 for approval. It's a collaborative process designed to create a season that's both nostalgic and exciting.

If you are interested in viewing selections of past shows produced by Bucyrus Little Theatre, stop by our Box Office at 130 Songer Avenue.

Notable Productions From Our Past

Some of our past shows include:

• The Night Of January 16th, by Ayn Rand - BLT's first production (1951)

• The Man Who Came To Dinner, by George S. Kauffman & Moss Hart - BLT's second production (1951)

• Sabrina Fair, by Samuel Taylor - One of our first productions in our current space on Songer Avenue (Directed by Pat Mollencop in 1958)

• Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne and adapted by Kristin Sergel - a 25th anniversary production (Directed by Helen Picking Neff, 1976)

• Fiddler On The Roof, book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock - a 25th anniversary production (Directed by Barbara Hennings in 1976)

• The Odd Couple, written by Neil Simon - a 50th anniversary production (directed by Betsy Gerhart in 2001)

• The Sound of Music, Rodgers and Hammerstein - a 50th anniversary prod (directed by Bob Slater in 2001)

Of course, Bucyrus Little Theatre has produced nearly 350 productions over the past 74 years, and we are more than happy to bring back any of them. If you want to see what shows we've done, ask a member of the Board of Directors or stop into the lobby to view program covers of each production.

A scene from Bucyrus Little Theatre's production of "The Game's Afoot," directed by Tracy McAdams in 2015.

Why Choose To Direct A Show At Bucyrus Little Theatre

One of the things that sets BLT apart from many local theaters, among a range of wonderful qualities, is our commitment to compensating our creative teams.

Directors receive $500 for their work on a show, recognizing the time, energy, and vision they bring to each production. For musicals, we also pay our music directors $500. These key collaborators handle teaching the cast the show's music, working closely with soloists, and refining songs with multiple vocal parts. They're also in charge of leading vocal warm-ups before rehearsals and performances, and they attend all shows either as the pit leader or the person managing pre-recorded tracks.

And, new this year, if you're directing a musical and prefer the magic of live music, you'll now have a budget of up to $750 to hire pit musicians. This is in addition to the music director's $500 stipend. When live musicians are involved, the music director still oversees music rehearsals, teaches the songs to the cast, leads warm-ups, collaborates with soloists, and perfects all the musical elements ahead of time. During performances, they take on the role of conductor or even play an instrument themselves, ideally the piano, to keep everything in harmony.

Bucyrus Little Theatre is one of the few local theaters that make it a priority to pay our directors, music directors, and now the talented live musicians who bring these musical productions to life. Our hope is that this practice will continue to bring in top-notch directors and musicians, which will continue to elevate our productions.

We truly believe that supporting our artists financially helps foster higher-quality shows and attracts the best talent in the region. Plus, we ask that anyone directing at BLT become a member of the theater, which is a great way to connect with our vibrant community.

How To Direct A Show At Bucyrus Little Theatre

If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, we'd love to hear your ideas! Please email us at bucyruslittletheatre@gmail.com with your name, phone number, the play or musical you'd like to direct (feel free to submit multiple shows), and your preferred months for the production (options include August/September, November/December, February/March, or May/June). You can also mail your submission to our Reading Committee Chairperson, Cindy Light, at 844 Bucyrus Nevada Rd., or directly to our theatre at 130 Songer Ave., Bucyrus, OH 44820. All entries must be received by November 8, 2025. Don't forget to share any additional details that might strengthen your pitch, like your directing experience or why a particular show speaks to you.

We're excited about the possibilities for our 75th season and can't wait to see what you bring to the table. Join us in making theater magic at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Let's create something unforgettable together!

A scene from Silent Sky, directed by Karellyn Sterling, a first-time director, at Bucyrus Little Theatre in the spring of 2025.