In the mid 1990's a committee was formed by the Chariton Community Betterment council to find a location for a theater and raise the funds to build it.  The official community theater fundraiser kick-off was held June 1, 1995 at the Lake View Country Golf and Country Club in Chariton.  The theme for the community theater was "Bring the Stars to Chariton" and the original location was across from the public library in Constitution Park.  Approximately 80 people attended the fundraising kick-off, where they received a list of names to contact for funding contributions.  The estimated cost of the theater was $325,000.

Just over a month after the first fundraiser was held over half of the funds had been donated - $165,000!

Opposition to the originally proposed location sent the scouts out once more, and our present location on North Main street was found to fit much better with the communities wishes.  Johnson Machine Works was very generous during the purchase of the land and continues to share their parking lot with us.

Changing the theater's location and allowing for volunteer labor cut the cost of the theater down to $245,000. Construction began on October 23, 1995 and the grand opening was Friday, April 13, 1996.

Volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life donated thousands of hours to make the theater the place we enjoy today.