Celebrating 75 Years: A Journey Through Bucyrus Little Theatre's Rich History

bucyruslittletheatre
Dec 30, 2025
5 min read

Bucyrus Little Theatre presents Hello, Dolly! in 1976 — Today, Tom Etsinger is the house manager, set designer and building, and historian at Bucyrus Little Theatre; but he began his BLT journey in 1976 as a member of the orchestra in BLT's production of *Hello, Dolly! The cast of this production is pictured above.*

Bucyrus Little Theatre Celebrates 75 Years Of Drama On The Stage

No Small Parts | Tom Etsinger Interview | Bucyrus Little Theatre Podcast

As we ring in the new year, there's no better time to look back at the incredible legacy of Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT). Founded in 1951, we're gearing up for our 75th anniversary in 2026, a milestone that coincides with America's 250th birthday. It's a big year ahead, full of celebrations, special events, and, of course, outstanding productions.

Recently, on our podcast No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sat down with longtime BLT volunteer Tom Etsinger, our house manager, master set designer and builder, and historian, for a heartfelt conversation about where we've been and where we're going.

Listen To Tom Etsinger Reflect On BLT's 75-Year History

Bucyrus Little Theatre presents Charlotte's Web | 1994 Youth Production — In 1994, Tom got called in to design the set for *Charlotte's Web*. That was a children's show. And two weeks after it closed, BLT opened *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. "*I had to build the set for *Whorehouse* and then put things over it to make it look like the inside of a barn. [Then] we struck *Charlotte's Web*. And then I think three days later, they had tech week for *Whorehouse*."

Bucyrus Little Theatre presents The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas | 1994 Production — The set of Charlotte's Web was immediately refabbed to become the set for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Tom's story with BLT began back in 1976, when he played trumpet in the pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly!, a full 15-piece ensemble with strings, pianos, and brass, all volunteers bringing live music to the stage. From there, he transitioned to acting and, in the mid-1980s, started helping build sets. One memorable rush? Designing a barn interior for Charlotte's Web ... only to strike it days later and transform the stage into the glitzy Chicken Ranch for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Hammers and nails ruled the day back then! But those of you who help with our production (and strike) know that nothing gets done without a collection of screws and a few power drills.

Tom's most challenging (and favorite) build? The elaborate 1776 set in 2003, complete with operating windows, eight-foot doors, fireplaces, and a design inspired by Independence Hall. The whole thing had to disassemble, travel across town to Wynford for performances, and reassemble perfectly.

Members of the Bucyrus Theatre Guild performed at the Vollrath Building, which was home to the Bucyrus Opera House. — This photograph shows storefronts on the "Opera Block" of Bucyrus, Ohio. The shops include the Chas. A. Wheeler Meat Market, Opera House Grocery Store, and Park Brother Drugs. Signage near the building's roof reads "Vollrath Building." A sign painted on the far right window on the third floor reads "Foresters Hall." The scene also includes a utility pole, horse-drawn buggies, and a man leaning against what appears to be a flagpole.

The Vollrath Building, home of the Bucyrus Opera House, was located across the street from the Bucyrus Library.

But the real magic started long before Tom's time. Before BLT, Bucyrus was home to the Bucyrus Theater Guild in the 1930s, performing in the grand Vollrath building's opera house — complete with orchestra pit, balcony, box seats, and traveling shows stopping en route between Chicago and New York. Tragedy struck in 1936 when a fire destroyed it all overnight.

The Bucyrus Opera House, located in the Vollrath Building, was destroyed by a fire in 1936. This is one of the only known photos of the inside of the theatre. — The Vollrath Building, which was home ot the Bucyrus Opera House, was destroyed in January 1936 by a fire. Even though the building was located next to the fire station, frozen water hydrants made fighting the blaze virtually impossible. This photo, courtesy of the Bucyrus Historical Society, is one of the only interior photos that exist of the inside of the building.

From Tractor Sales To Theatrical Productions

From those ashes rose determination. After a successful Jaycees production of The Hasty Heart directed by Pat Brasinger, the community reformed as Bucyrus Little Theatre in 1951. Early rehearsals happened anywhere: libraries, basements, even the YMCA. Shows played in high school auditoriums before moving to a tiny storefront bakery theater (seating just 120), and finally, in 1957, to our current home, a former tractor sales building on Songer Avenue.

Before it was Bucyrus Little Theatre, the building was known as the Welk T Garden Tractor Sales building on Songer Avenue. — In 1957, the Welk T Garden Tractor Sales building on Songer Avenue became available. The Bucyrus Little Theatre Board of Directors bought it on a land contract and, with a lot of volunteer work, transformed it into a working theater.

Fun fact: When they built the stage, they forgot about the floor's sag toward an old drain. To this day, the auditorium floor slopes gently in the middle, something Tom only noticed years ago while measuring sets. (You've probably never noticed it as an audience member, but it keeps our builders on their toes!)

Those early days were pure grit and ingenuity: garage doors for the first stage, donated seats patched with scrap fabric, church pews for the back rows, and fundraisers selling vanilla extract to buy a coffee urn. Intermission coffee and homemade cookies even paid the royalties! Quick costume changes relied on "closed eyes and turned backs," and kids' shows were rewritten to fit dozens of eager young performers.

Actors rehearse for an early production at Bucyrus Little Theatre. — "Coffee breaks proved popular in rehearsals with the cast and committees, so we extended them to the audience in our new home, selling soft drinks and coffee during intermissions. This was expanded to include homemade candy and cookies, and the lobby now pays the royalties with the money from the coffee breaks. Ten cents includes coffee and tea or cookies, and we purchased a second-hand refrigerator for the kitchen with a stove and sink, though no hot water." - Excerpt from a member account in celebration of Bucyrus Little Theatre's fifth anniversary

Through it all, a core group of volunteers — sewing costumes, building sets, acting, directing — kept the lights on. And that spirit lives on today.

Let The Celebration Begin!

Looking ahead to our diamond anniversary, we're planning exciting community events (stay tuned for details!). Kicking off the year is Neil Simon's hilarious farce Rumors, directed by Jason Chandler. Tom is already hard at work on a massive set featuring six doors, an archway, a second-floor balcony, stairs, bedrooms, a kitchen, and more — perfect for the nonstop slamming doors and comedic chaos.

Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just discovered BLT, thank you for being part of our story. There's truly no small parts in community theater — every volunteer, actor, and audience member makes it shine.

Bucyrus Little Theatre presents The Emperor's New Groove | 1955 Youth Production — In 1955, Bucyrus Little Theatre produced the youth production of The Emperor's New Clothes, which was produced as a special feature for that season. Around 20 children were expected to audition. Instead, 45 children showed up and took to the make-shift stage at BLT's new location, which was made of two old garage doors.

Claim Your Piece Of BLT History

Want more history? Tom has compiled a thumb drive with programs, photos, and cast lists from 1951 onward (available for $25), and our lobby walls showcase every show poster. If you are interested in purchasing the history of BLT, email Tom at bltprops@columbus.rr.com or call 419-689-1742. You may also email the BLT Box Office at bucyruslittletheater@gmail.com or call 419-562-0731.

Visit bucyruslittletheatre.com for more, and tune into No Small Parts for more behind-the-scenes stories.

Here's to 75 years of bringing great stories to Crawford County — and many more to come!