The Bonnie Kate Community Theater in Elizabethton is gearing up for its centennial celebration, marking 100 years since its opening on May 26, 1927. Contrary to local belief, the theater does not turn 100 in 2026, a misconception partly due to incorrect information displayed on the building itself. Renee Christian, the artistic director, clarified that while funding began in 1926, the theater officially opened its doors a year later.
Plans for the celebration are already taking shape. Organizers intend to kick off the festivities with a grand New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2026, themed around the roaring twenties. “We want people to dress up as their favorite gangster or flapper and just have a fabulous time with us at the Bonnie Kate,” Christian stated. This event will serve as the starting point for a series of monthly galas leading up to the centennial, which will include a variety of activities ranging from theatrical performances to scavenger hunts.
The final event in this celebratory series will take place on December 31, 2027. To facilitate the planning, committee meetings will occur on the second Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to participate, and volunteers are always welcome to help with the extensive preparations. Christian emphasized the need for community involvement, saying, “This is a big thing to pull off. It’s going to require a tremendous amount of planning and effort.”
As part of the lead-up to the centennial, the theater invites the community to share memories, photos, and nostalgic ideas about its history. While preparations for the anniversary unfold, the theater continues to host various performances. Currently, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is in its second and final weekend, with evening shows starting at 19:30 and a Sunday matinee at 14:30. Tickets are recommended to be purchased online through the Bonnie Kate website to ensure availability.
In addition to the Christmas production, the theater is hosting the Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra Christmas Concert on Sunday at 19:30. Looking ahead, the Bonnie Kate will also present “Once Upon a Mattress,” a musical retelling of “The Princess and the Pea.” Auditions for this production are scheduled for January 3 and 4, 2024, at 14:00 and on January 5 at 19:30, with callbacks, if necessary, on January 6 at 19:30. Performances are set for March 13-15 and March 19-22.
Christian expressed her pride in the theater’s legacy, stating, “The Bonnie Kate is a gem, a jewel in the crown of Elizabethton, and we’re so grateful to be part of her continuing story.” As the Bonnie Kate Community Theater approaches this significant milestone, it remains a vibrant part of the local cultural landscape, engaging the community and celebrating its rich history.
