Our History - Muncie Civic Theatre

ONWARD & UPWARD

Our Home

the boyce block

James Boyce, The Father of Muncie, commissioned the Boyce Block in 1880. From there the city of Muncie grew.

1880

The Boyce Block

James Boyce, The Father of Muncie, commissioned the building of The Boyce Block, Muncie’s first city block. Boyce offered Frank C. Ball a monetary gift and a gas well if the Ball family would rebuild their glass factory in Muncie. The contract was signed in Boyce’s upstairs office in that year

1904

The Star Theatre

Boyce sold the western section of the building to C. Ray Andrews, who remodeled it to include an 800-seat theatre with a lighted arch, where vaudeville and burlesque acts performed through the 1920s.

1931

Muncie Civic Theatre Established

The Muncie Civic Theatre was first established with the mission to provide quality theatre for the community. William H. Ball was its first President and served for ten years. The first play, Dulcy, opened on December 15 at what is today Cornerstone Center of the Arts.

1947

Drama on the Radio

During the WWII years, MCT’s actors helped boost morale by providing radio dramas on WLBC. The theatre reopened again in 1947 with Ann Crapo Hannah starring in Laura.

1961

MCT on the Move

The Muncie Civic Theatre Association moved to the Boyce Block. This move allowed them to do their first musical, The Pajama Game.

1985

Preserving a Local Landmark

MCT conducted its first capital campaign to renovate and restore the theatre, in which $300,000 was raised.

1986

International Recognition

MCT’s production of A Raisin in the Sun won first place at the Dundalk International Amateur Drama Festival in Ireland.

2016

Theatre for the Whole Community

The Board of Directors engaged in its second capital campaign prompted by increased ticket sales, exponential growth of the education program, and a desire to provide full accessibility to our community. Over $3 million was raised.

2023

RIGGING UPGRADE

In May 2023, we began the last phase of remodeling the historic building, by bringing our technical and backstage elements into the 21st century. We replaced the antique hemp rigging system, which was installed in 1906 to a new motorized electrical system that provides some much needed safety upgrades and allows for increased accessibility to our youth, volunteers, and backstage crew members.

Our Home

the boyce block

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