Quincy Music Theatre History

July 1983: Local theatre enthusiasts perform Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore at Quincy's First Presbyterian Church.

1983-84: QMT’s first season consists of four major musicals and a revue. The first three productions are performed on the Quincy High School stage each playing four evening performances plus a condensed matinee for students. In December 1983 through private funding, QMT acquires the Leaf Theatre building, a 1940’s movie theater. The season's fourth show, Lil' Abner, is performed at the Leaf albeit with a leaking roof and small stage. The season finale is a dinner theatre production at First Presbyterian.

1984-85: Again the season consists of four musicals and a revue. The Leaf Theatre gains a new roof and a 48 foot proscenium stage with a revolving center.

1985-86: The theatre begins being used for other community musical events. After two and a half seasons, volunteer founding director Nancy Totman departs and QMT begins the tradition of hiring directors, a different one for each show. QMT receives a $150,000 appropriation from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. This provides the funds for a heating and air conditioning system, new seats, dressing rooms and a new ceiling.

1986-87: The balcony is remodeled and 125 seats are installed there making QMT the largest community venue in this region. The stage receives a grand curtain, teasers and legs.

1987-88: QMT hires its first employee; part-time Business Manager Mark Kent who is just graduated from the FSU School of Theatre.

1988-89: Brett Gieger, local church organist and volunteer QMT accompanist succeeds Kent as part-time Business Manager. QMT begins paying musical directors and accompanists. The US Air Force band performs at QMT a second time.

1989-90: QMT hires part-time Business Manager Caroline Fallis. She and husband Wayne (volunteer) ensure QMT's success during its developmental years. Donors provide the funds for QMT to purchase a seven foot Yamaha grand piano. A trust is established to cover the maintenance and capital expenditures of the Leaf Theatre facility. The first theatre workshops for adults and children are offered in the summer. QMT collaborates with area churches to host a fund raiser for a local terminally ill child.

1990-91: For the first time, Gadsden County school children are bused in for a QMT production, seeing performances of the Wizard of Oz. Later in the season, they will also see the South Georgia Opera Company's Hansel & Gretel.

1992-93: "Alumni" and old time friends are invited back to Quincy for a champagne gala at the Garden Center honoring QMT's tenth season.

1994-95: QMT receives its first amplified sound system. Area students are again bused in for a show... this time of "A Christmas Carol on the Air".

1995-96: QMT establishes an internet presence (web site/email address) in 1996 through the Gadsden Community Network (GCN), a local ISP that is the nation's first free provider of graphical web browsing, not just text.

1998-99: Longtime QMT employee and friend Caroline Fallis retires in December 1998 and is succeeded for a short while by SueEllen Patronis Dickeson. A computerized midi system is used for sound effects and as an occasional alternative to live orchestra.

1999-00: QMT's first full-time employee, Managing Director John Olive is hired. He stresses a regional definition of our “community” and surrounding areas are more aggressively marketed and recruited. Olive pursues corporate sponsors for many QMT productions. The sound system is upgraded, additional stage lights are added, and the lighting control board is rewired and relocated into the house.

2000-01: QMT begins a collaboration with Gadsden County's Chattahoochee Elementary Magnet School for the Arts. New full-time Managing Director David Jones is hired upon the theatrical relocation of John Olive's wife. QMT is being marketed as North Florida’s largest musical community venue. Theatre rentals are more aggressively pursued by Jones.

2001-02: QMT abolishes its free web host and registers the domain qmtonline.com. Two By Two is the first production for which the public can make online reservations. QMT receives a $10,000 Underserved Arts Community Assistance grant from the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. Season opener Will Roger's Follies breaks attendance records being the first QMT production to be held over an additional weekend.

2002-03: QMT purchases computerized light board and extensive theatrical lighting.

2003-04: Season opener Pump Boys and Dinettes is the first QMT show to tour area theatres in Florida and Georgia. Managing Director David Jones leaves at the end of the season to open his own Irish dance studio. Jone's efforts over the years enhanced QMT's Tallahassee market as well as many rental and production aspects, including lighting and sound. Kelly Kunkler assists as Office Manager for a short thereafter on an hourly basis.

2004-05: Lobby and house renovations include re-flooring (tile, carpet and paint). Rache'l Layerd replaces Kunkler as part-time Office Manager on an hourly basis.

2006-07: Kevin Scott Goodson, formerly of Tallahassee Little Theatre, replaces interim Beth Horne as full time Managing Director. Long-time QMT volunteer Bill Mock is hired as Technical Director. Changes include art deco restoration of both main restrooms, implementation of an electronic ticketing system and creation of a classical/pops series called The Artists Series at The Leaf.