The History of Pontiac Theatre IV

Our journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.”

1969 was the beginning of Pontiac Theatre IV when a group of local musicians and actors approached the City Of Pontiac Department of Parks and Recreation to request the city to sponsor a local production of a Broadway musical. The city and the group worked in tandem and Pontiac Parks Recreation Department presented the classic “Guys and Dolls” as it’s first production . At the time of this publication of PTIV”s history, the records of “Guys and Dolls” have not been located, so those initial performers, musicians, technical personnel, and directors remain unknown, but it is due to their efforts there is a Pontiac Theatre IV today.

“Guys and Dolls” having been a success, the Parks and Recreation Department continued to fund and produce summer theatre in 1971 and 1972. Both summers were particularly memorable as the group produced two full productions each year. “Camelot” and “Man of LaMancha” in 1971, and “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Barefoot in the Park” in 1972 within about a six week time frame. Success also breeds change and big changes were in store for theatre in Pontiac.

Following the 1972 season, a group of performers decided it was time to cut their strings with the Parks and Recreation Department and strike out on their own. As the core group planned for the 1973 summer season and its first independent production, the subject of what to name the new company. There are a couple of different stories of how we became Pontiac Theatre IV, particularly the IV at the end.

The first version which is most repeated is that the name is in reference to the first four seasons spent as part of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The second story states the IV was in reference to how many productions we would run each season, and the third story is that the IV came because someone had seen another Midwest community theatre using the Roman Numerals “III” as part of their name. Whatever the actual reason, and the editors believe it was a combination of the stories, Pontiac Theatre IV was born and with its first independent production came “The Sound of Music” in June 1973.

Once the group started it was full steam ahead. The 1970’s saw 26 productions, including classics of musical theatre Hello Dolly, Mame, Showboat, Cabaret, Oliver and My Fair Lady. The groups first ten years also witnessed its first anniversary review. As Theatre IV (as it was being called more and more) came to its tenth anniversary, 10 by IV was conceived. This show was a review of various numbers from productions presented during those first ten years. This was a massive undertaking as each of the numbers was fully staged, including choreography and costumes. Also during the 1970’s, a small group of singers within Theatre IV got together, and with the boards approval, started a traveling company to perform musical reviews in the community. Second Company produced its first review, Showstoppers, at another venue the group has a continuing relationship with: All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Pontiac