Markham," featuring the talents of local thespians. On January 28th, 1982, WRLT opened the doors to its new playhouse with the presentation of "Move Over, Mrs. 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. 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. It needed a lot of renovation, but it had 1,800 square feet, a paved parking lot, storage space, and a sign. In June 1980, WRLT purchased Harold's Catfish House, formerly Harold's Bar-B-Que, at 502 South Pleasant Hill Road. 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. 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. In 1972, WRLT incorporated, and in 1977, WRLT supporters began looking for a permanent location. Meanwhile, the WRLT Board of Governors would rent available stages for the evenings of the actual performances. Many rehearsals took place in that room, which doubled as a storage space for costumes, props, and scenery. 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. Productions of "The Last Leaf" and "Only an Orphan Girl" completed the 1962-63 season. There was a small prop room, but no running water, which meant no bathrooms. Actors had to climb a pull-down staircase to get to the barn's loft, which served as a cramped dressing room. Seven months later, WRLT presented "My Three Angels" in a converted dairy barn on the old Richard Johnson farm on Elberta Road. In June 1962, twenty-five citizens founded Warner Robins Little Theatre, the first community theatre in Warner Robins.
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