An intro to BLT

Bangalore Little Theatre (BLT) is one of the oldest and leading theatre production groups of Bangalore. Founded in 1959, the group has been producing plays each year, and has successfully trained many a youngsters in an annual project on theatre held every summer. SPOT ( Summer Project on Theatre) kick started in the year 1978, and has been on ever since. This year we celebrate the 30th SPOT year.

Here is an excerpt from an article published in our own newsletter BACKSTAGE the year BLT turned 40.

Looking back, the group finds that there is a lot to be happy about. Over two hundred productions, a hundred paid up Members, a hundred Associates. An illustrous list of directors and competent stagecraftpersons, a long line of responsible leaders and office bearers, dedicated foot soldiers, all contributing to an open, transparent membership form of organization. Most of all, an unbroken tradition of giving to the theatre scene in Bangalore. And beyond. A firm commitment to the positioning as community theatre, in accordance with the opening statement of the group's constitution. The constitution itself. A group that is truly prolific, with a wide ownership base.

While there is a lot to fall back upon for saying what BLT is, and how it functions, the question more difficult to answer is : who is BLT? Whose BLT is it anyway?

It is too easy to say that BLT belongs to its membership. The Registrar of Societies will be satisfied with that answer, but we know that it is not so simple. In reality, as it happens in all membership organizations, and as indeed it has been with BLT, there is always a small, active, visible sub-set of the membership that keeps the group going, while the others provide moral support or chip in when needed. It is this smaller group that provides the vital continuity to the group, constantly connecting to the past, but with an eye clearly to the future. At any given time this active group is not likely to be more than 20 or 25 – that is, a tenth of the mailing list. That should do! People will keep getting in and out of this group. Newcomers to Bangalore with theatre experience elsewhere, new talent from our training workshops, new faces from productions – they can all be expected to find a really hospitable climate in BLT to get involved. Especially since the group is not personality-centred, and newcomers are always welcome to take on big responsibilities. On the other hand, we should also be prepared for people to be less active, sooner or later, as their work or home circumstances change.

Keep coming back to the page for more information on our current and future projects.