The Clemson Little Theatre started in 1931 as a small reading group. When the group began performing plays they used facilities on the Clemson University campus and later leased the upstairs of the old school in Central.
In 1989, some 300 friends of The Clemson Little Theatre helped purchase the old movie theatre on Mechanic Street in Pendleton. With dedicated work of many volunteers and generous patrons, the facilities were renovated into the beautiful art moderne Pendleton Playhouse and Cox Hall.
Today the Pendleton Playhouse and adjoining Cox Hall serve as the home of The Clemson Little Theatre and Clemson Area Youth Theatre (CAYT).
Each year The Clemson Little Theatre normally produces seven live stage plays. The plays are chosen to share with the community our love of live theatre; to bring to our neighbors comedies, musicals, old classics, and cutting-edge dramas. The youth of the community are an important part of our history and our future, and CAYT is an integral part of The Clemson Little Theatre. Two of our seven shows each year are productions by CAYT, and the actors in those shows are all middle and high-school students. Watch for the CAYT notation in our listings, and enable your children to take part in this ancient art and expand their world of experiences.
Summertime is funtime at The Clemson Little Theatre when students from kindergarten through 12th grade take over the theatre for the CAYT Summer Drama Workshops. Held in June, the sessions are planned to include training in make-up, costumes, acting, set construction, lighting, music, dance, auditioning, and other theatrical skills. Registration starts in April and May, so in the Spring watch our "News" page for links to the schedule of individual sessions.