In the spring of 1976, around six to eight people who had expressed an interest in forming a community theatre in Paris met with the drama instructor at Paris Junior College. An open meeting was scheduled, notice went out, and a short time later the first organizational meeting of PCT was held in the PJC auditorium with three or four dozen in attendance. Officers were selected, and it was decided that the first production should have a large cast the larger the cast, the more family and friends will attend. Up the Down Staircase was chosen and was performed in July, 1976.
The first play on the new stage, The Sunshine Boys, was performed in May, 1986. All of the plays since that time have been produced on this stage. July, 2005, marks the 29th anniversary of the first PCT production. In these 29 years, PCT has had 141 productions. The season runs from early fall to summer and consists, in most years, of five productions, including at least one musical.
