In June 1962, twenty-five citizens founded Warner Robins Little Theatre, the first community theatre in Warner Robins. Seven months later, WRLT presented “My Three Angels” in a converted dairy barn on the old Richard Johnson farm on Elberta Road. Actors had to climb a pull-down staircase to get to the barn’s loft, which served as a cramped dressing room. There was a small prop room, but no running water, which meant no bathrooms. Productions of “The Last Leaf” and “Only an Orphan Girl” completed the 1962-63 season.
Later, the theatre group moved to ‘The Upper Room,’ so named because of the narrow flight of stairs leading to the small stage located on the second floor of the building next to the old Wellston Theatre on First Street. Many rehearsals took place in that room, which doubled as a storage space for costumes, props, and scenery. Meanwhile, the WRLT Board of Governors would rent available stages for the evenings of the actual performances.
In 1972, WRLT incorporated, and in 1977, WRLT supporters began looking for a permanent location. Later that year, the Board of Governors received a clear deed for 2.3 acres on Glen Drive, but plans to construct a new facility were tabled due to the prohibitive cost.
On April 24th, 1979, a fire destroyed the Wellston Theatre and ‘The Upper Room.’ Everything was lost: sets, costumes, props, and a lighting control panel. But the show must go on, and it did. In June 1980, WRLT purchased Harold’s Catfish House, formerly Harold’s Bar-B-Que, at 502 South Pleasant Hill Road. It needed a lot of renovation, but it had 1,800 square feet, a paved parking lot, storage space, and a sign. The Board of Governors took out a 15-year mortgage on the building and property and spent countless volunteer hours and $45,000, on renovations and furnishings. Interior walls were removed, fire exits were installed, dressing rooms were built, a stage was constructed, an office and lobby were added, and restrooms were renovated to make them accessible.
On January 28th, 1982, WRLT opened the doors to its new playhouse with the presentation of “Move Over, Mrs. Markham,” featuring the talents of local thespians.
In December of 1992, WRLT finally achieved one of its main goals to have a fully paid for facility. The mortgage was paid off and the building became one hundred percent ours. This was accomplished without any major funding. Our prime source of income has always been ticket sales, memberships, and program advertising.
In July of 1993, WRLT purchased the adjoining lot of 1.5 acres on South Pleasant Hill Road. This will allow for future expansion of our facility, allowing us to serve the community for many years to come.
As of June 2022, WRLT celebrated sixty years of showcasing fine theatre in middle Georgia.
Volunteers, ticket buyers, and members built this theatre one season at a time.
1962
Twenty-five Warner Robins citizens founded the city's first community theatre. Seven months later, the curtain rose on "My Three Angels" — actors climbed a pull-down staircase to a hayloft dressing room, and the building had no running water at all.
Early years
The company moved to a small second-floor stage above the old Wellston Theatre, reached by a narrow stairway. It served as rehearsal hall and prop closet alike, while the board rented other stages around town for actual performances.
1972
WRLT became a formally incorporated organization, setting the stage for the search for a permanent home.
1979
A fire destroyed the Wellston Theatre and the Upper Room, taking every set, costume, prop, and the lighting board with it. The company had nothing left to perform with — and kept going anyway.
1980
WRLT purchased a former barbecue restaurant — 1,800 square feet, a paved lot, and a sign already out front. Volunteers spent countless hours and $45,000 tearing out walls, building a stage and dressing rooms, and adding accessible restrooms.
1982
On January 28, WRLT opened the doors to its new playhouse with "Move Over, Mrs. Markham" — cast entirely with local talent, on a stage the company finally owned.
1992
Thirty years after founding, WRLT paid off the building in full — funded almost entirely by ticket sales, memberships, and program advertising, without any major outside grant.
2022
WRLT marked six decades of live theatre in Middle Georgia — still volunteer-run, still community-funded, still telling stories on the same corner of Pleasant Hill Road.
Our 2026–2027 season is underway, and there’s a lot to be excited about. We kicked things off with Cheaper by the Dozen (July 11–26), a mainstage opener packed with roles for actors of all ages: including a strong lineup of youth performers taking the stage alongside seasoned veterans. From here, the season keeps rolling with productions in September, December, February, and May, plus our Annual Community Gala, a celebration of the volunteers, donors, and performers who keep our lights on.
Between mainstage shows, keep an eye out for auditions, youth workshops, and special one-weekend events. There’s almost always something happening at WRLT. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or check our current season calendar so you never miss an opening night.
