Theatre Historian Shares Memories Of The Stage In Time For 75th Anniversary

Join host Scott Leon Smith in the cozy lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as he sits down with longtime volunteer Tom Etsinger, house manager, master set builder, and keeper of BLT's rich history.

In this heartfelt episode, Tom takes us on a captivating journey from his trumpet-playing debut in the 1976 pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! to designing elaborate sets with hammers, nails, and pure ingenuity. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of epic builds (like the historically accurate 1776 set that traveled across town), lightning-fast turnarounds between children's shows and adult musicals, and the quirky discovery that the theater floor slopes toward an old tractor-repair drain.

Then travel back in time to BLT's origins: the grand (but tragically fire-destroyed) opera house of the 1930s, the post-war rebirth sparked by a single Jaycees production, and the scrappy early days of storefront theaters, begged materials, vanilla fundraisers, and coffee breaks that paid the royalties.

As Bucyrus Little Theatre prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026 (coinciding with America's 250th) Tom and Scott tease exciting plans ahead and give a sneak peek at the elaborate, door-slamming set rising right now for the season opener, Neil Simon's hilarious farce Rumors.

Whether you're a theater history buff, a community stage veteran, or just love stories of passion and perseverance, this episode reminds us why there truly are No Small Parts — on stage or off.

About BLT

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.