WCT Community Park is leased by Wichita Community Theatre (WCT). The theatre also owns the former Temple Emanu-El building next door, where it operates a small theater for its productions. Through a partnership between WCT and the City of Wichita, the park provides a space for local children to play, ensuring it remains active and not left vacant.
There was limited information available about the park, but the minutes from the June 10, 2024, Board of Park Commissioners meeting revealed that Katie Eddy mentioned the land is leased by the city, making it technically a park. The city needed a name for it, so the theater’s board considered 14 suggestions and ultimately chose WCT Community Park. This name reflects the collaboration between the neighborhood, the city, and the Wichita Theatre Community. The vote was unanimous at 4-0.
The Wichita Community Theatre has a detailed biography of its history on their website. (wichitact.org) I input it into ChatGPT and asked it to rewrite the history as if a Broadway director were explaining it to a cast of elementary school students. Here’s the result…
🎭 Alright, kids, gather ’round! I’m going to tell you the story of a very special building and the fabulous theatre troupe that brought it to life — like a Broadway tale, but right here in Wichita! Let’s set the stage…
Act One: The Building!
Picture it — the year is 1932. The spot? 2nd Street and Fountain. A beautiful temple rises from the ground, built by Congregation Emanu-El. It stood proud until 1961, when the congregation moved out and sold the building to a new cast of characters: the Wichita Community Theatre!
Flash forward to 1963 — a big moment! The building is officially dedicated, with none other than the Helen Hayes in attendance (yes, that Helen Hayes!). A shiny new sign is hung: “Community Theatre Workshop.” Ta-da!
For the next 30 years, this place wasn’t a stage just yet — it was for rehearsing, building sets, and dreaming big dreams. But eventually, after a tough decision, the performances moved in too. That’s right — the Workshop became the main stage!
Cue the montage! In the 2000s, the building got a glow-up: new carpet, fresh paint, new roof (thanks to a hailstorm!), and even heating and cooling! Recently? ADA bathrooms, new seats, shiny lights — we’re talking Broadway-caliber upgrades, baby!
Act Two: The Theatre Itself!
Let’s rewind to 1927. Wichita’s theatre scene was born, known as the “Little Theatre of Wichita.” By 1939, the mayor was declaring theatre weeks! But then — boom — War! Things slowed down.
Enter 1946 — revival! Led by Mary Jane Teall (a real-life drama queen in the best way), shows returned, crowds cheered, and magic happened in churches and schools. Mary Jane wasn’t just talented — she taught at Wichita U and shaped the whole theatre.
Through the 1950s, volunteers stepped up. The theatre performed at WSU, got its nonprofit status, and saved enough ticket money to buy that old temple we talked about — now their Workshop!
In 1963, Variety magazine — yes, the famous one! — gave them a standing ovation in print for saving Broadway tours in Wichita! Can you believe they averaged 4,000 people per show?! That’s like the whole school times ten!
By 1969, the big new Century II building opened, and WCT had its “mainstage” shows there. The Workshop stayed busy, too, with summer musicals, training, and more. It was the best of both worlds!
In the ’80s, they doubled their shows — four at Century II, four at the Workshop. But by 1991, money got tight. They made a brave choice: all shows moved to the Workshop. It wasn’t easy, but they survived — thanks to clever planning and good ol’ theatre grit.
We lost the great Mary Jane Teall in 1994, but her legacy lives on through a scholarship and the theatre named in her honor.
Finale: Today!
WCT is still going strong. They save up for big projects, keep the floors polished, the sidewalk smooth, and the audience smiling. They even went digital — with a website and social media and everything!
And now, my little stars, you are part of this long, inspiring story. One day, maybe someone will tell the tale of your show on this very stage.
Places, everyone! Curtain’s going up! 🎬🎭
To learn more about Wichita’s park system check out Wichita’s Parks and Wichita’s Aquatic Parks.