History

RLT has been in continuous operation since 1948 and is the longest-serving community theatre in Montgomery County. Its humble beginnings include producing shows at Christ Episcopal Parish Hall and Broome Junior High School. In September of 1960, the new Rockville Civic Center Auditorium (now the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater) became RLT’s home, and performances have been held there ever since. RLT members were active in the design and technical discussions for the space.

RLT’s scene shop and storage facility were established in 1972 behind the Civic Center’s Glenview Mansion. In 2000, we moved into larger quarters in the same area. RLT helped to fund the project. RLT joined with Rockville Musical Theatre (RMT) in 1986 to form a consortium to sell season tickets.

In recent years, RLT partnered with the Arts Barn to present its first musical in 40 years, The Spitfire Grill, which was unfortunately forced to close early due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rising to the occasion, RLT pivoted to virtual productions with a livestreamed production of The Mountaintop, followed by a successful in-person three-show season.

RLT’s production of Pride@Prejudice won the Maryland state festival and the Eastern States Regional competition, earning RLT’s first-ever appearance at the AACT national festival. The company has also received multiple WATCH nominations and awards, Ruby Griffith Awards, and seven MCTFA awards in 2024 alone.

RLT’s student matinee program has welcomed more than 4,000 middle and high school students to the wonder of live theatre, and in 2024 RLT co-presented Love Is Love Is Love, an original Pride Month cabaret with proceeds donated to MoCo Pride and Rockville’s Rainbow Place Shelter.