https://linktr.ee/cu_littletheatre?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=18261c5e-5550-4e22-a5bf-72db2cdc1265 The theatre arts have long been a tradition at Canisius College. Drama was a part of the regular curriculum at most Jesuit Schools around the turn of the century. Canisius College gained fame by presenting “The Passion Play” to the community in 1914, and again in 1917, 1920 and 1923. These performances would draw thousands to the temporary, outdoor theatre behind Old Main, and were often done by classes or groups of students. A formal club was not created until 1934, the name of the organization being “The Bard’s and Board’s Dramatic Society.” They would continue to serve the theatre art needs at Canisius until the creation of “Little Theatre” in 1946. The first show to be performed by Little Theatre was “Libel!” on November 10, 1946 at Mt. The Little Theatre organization would continue to grow through the decades, performing a variety of shows from religious dramas, to Shakespeare, to musicals and contemporary comedies. As the oldest club on campus, Little Theatre saw several changes to its performance areas over the years. It wasn’t until Canisius College acquired the old Sister’s Hospital building (now the location of the Koessler Athletic Center) that the club would finally have a home to call its own. However, the building was deemed a safety concern and closed in 1958, leaving Little Theatre with an auditorium space in the Richard E. Winter Student Center that it would use from 1963-1994. This served as the club’s theatre space until the acquisition of Mt. Joseph’s School in 1994, when Little Theatre would return to the newly renovated and renamed Marie Maday Theatre.
