The Palestine Community Theatre presented“ A Seussified Christmas Carol and Variety Show” for the holidays in December 2024, cast pictured above.
of renovations, from restoring the Texas sign to roof repairs and upgraded bathroom facilities.
PCT now stages four to five family-friendly performances every year featuring top-notch talent, from local educators who teach theater, music and dance, to amateur and aspiring actors of all ages.
Their talent and skillful productions are appreciated by local audiences, many of whom have traveled widely and attended or even participated in large metropolitan productions.
Daria Allen, a Houston native with three decades of experience in professional theater, is impressed with the quality of performances.
“ The vocal talent in this town is spectacular,” Allen said.“ They should cut an album for every show.”
Today the Texas Theatre is one of Palestine’ s most significant architectural and historic landmarks, so its preservation means it is much more than a home for local productions.
Adam Armstrong became involved in Palestine Community theater when his daughter participated in productions in her youth. He eventually participated as a stage hand and actor, and in December 2024, he co-directed a Christmas production titled“ A Seussified Christmas Carol & Variety Show.”
To Armstrong, who grew up in Palestine, participating in PCT productions means more than putting on plays; it’ s the
“
The theater is more than just coming out and watching a show. You’ re helping kids learn some confidence, you’ re entertaining folks, but you’ re also keeping a 100-year-old building alive in the center of your downtown district.
”
community’ s way of maintaining a cultural tradition.“ When I was a kid, that was the only movie theater we had,” Armstrong said.“ I kind of grew up in that theater, and when the theatre closed down, the building was just sitting there going to ruin; the roof had leaks.”
When the show goes on at the Texas Theatre, both actors and audiences are supporting the community treasure.
“ The theater is more than just coming out and watching a show,” Armstrong said.“ You’ re helping kids learn some confidence, you’ re entertaining folks, but you’ re also keeping a 100-year-old building alive in the center of your downtown district.”
SPRING EDITION 2025 11