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After 90 years, Raleigh Little Theatre is still stealing the show.
For nearly a century, Raleigh Little Theatre has been raising the curtain, cueing the lights, and bringing community together both on and off the stage. Through global war, economic uncertainty, a pandemic, ever-changing entertainment tastes and, most recently, the loss of federal arts funding, one thing remains true: The show must go on. And for 90 years, it has.
What began as a Depression-era dream has grown into one of Raleigh’s defining arts institutions and one of the city’s cultural pioneers. Brought to life through a collaboration between local performers and technical workers from the Federal Theatre Project, RLT was built on the belief that the arts are for everyone, and the spotlight continues to hold space for all—center stage, backstage and among the crowd.
Much of that success can be traced back to civic leader Cantey Venable Sutton. It was her determination that secured funding and persuaded the Federal Works Progress Administration to move construction forward until the doors opened in 1940. Sixty years later, the main theater was named after Sutton, and its annual awards—The Canteys—continue to honor her legacy.
Today, RLT produces nearly a dozen shows each season, all while staying true to its community-first mission. The stage is supported by over 700 volunteers who are the heart and soul of the operation, filling roles from carpenters and painters to ushers and actors.
“Everyone here is here because they have either the desire for connection or a love for theater-making,” says Producing Artistic Director Michele Weathers. “The lovely and beautiful by-product of all of that are the shows we produce.”
Some volunteers, like Judy Dove, have been part of RLT for decades. “No matter what kind of time you can give and what your interest is, there’s a place for you,” she emphasizes. “You immediately walk into a family.”
The theater’s impact extends far beyond opening night. Year-round classes cover everything from backstage tech to stage fright—welcoming people of all ages, regardless of experience. Beyond the classroom, the Rose Garden has blossomed—literally—into an attraction of its own, featuring outdoor film screenings, live concerts and volunteer socials.
While Raleigh’s commitment to the arts doesn’t begin and end with RLT, it is part of a longstanding investment in culture. See: fellow longtime Oak City establishments like the NC Symphony, and the North Carolina Museum of Art, whose history can be traced back to 1924 when the North Carolina Art Society was formed.
Together, institutions like these are responsible for cultivating the cultural identity of our capital, and their success relies heavily on those behind the scenes. Whether it’s a retired contractor heading set design, a child earning their first leading role, or friends in the nosebleeds for a night out, the unshakeable sense of community is what keeps the encore alive long after the curtains fall.
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