Starring Darby Lytle in the titular role of Hamlet, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy was anything but predictable. An exciting blend of surrealism, bold interpretations of iconic characters, and nontraditional castings in an intimate space, this production two years in the making with over 20 in the cast and crew played to sold out audiences for two weekends.

Directed by Vera Proctor. Starring Darby Lytle. Photos by Elizabeth Fisher (enjoythejourneyphotography.com).

This adorable spin on "The Wizard of Oz" followed detectives solving the mystery of the suspicious events of Dorothy's arrival in Oz and was our 2024 free children's production.

Directed by Jessica Miller, Rachel McKee, Shua Miller. Photos by Elizabeth Fisher (enjoythejourneyphotography.com).

This American classic hit the stage for a special, one weekend only run. With intimate staging and audience seating, this production was a once in a life time experience.

Directed by Wayne Stengel. Stage Management Trent Reese. Starring Saxon Whitehead, Jeff Ward, Darby Lytle, and Jessica Miller.

Once again in an exciting partnership between The Lantern and The Maumelle Players, we produced “The Importance of Being Earnest,” a “a trivial comedy for serious people.” Performed (with immense pleasure and gratefulness) at the Shepherd of the Peace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Maumelle.

Directed by Trent Reese, props by Maureen Skinner and Shann Nobles, lights by Jackson Ray, costumes by Vera Proctor. Starring Kaliya Cherry, Treece Ealy, Brian Larsen, Shua Miller, Rachel McKee, Lavinia Roberts, Macy Foss, and Doug Morris. Photography Pixter Photography LLC by Hannah Perez

in October 2023, CAAC - The Lantern Theatre celebrated fifty years of bringing theatre to Central Arkansas! We celebrated with food, wine, raffle items, and bonding with our community at the Arnold Innovation Center in downtown Conway. For the evening’s entertainment, we produced a reading of the original play “The Big Day,” written by Trent Reese as part of our monthly Playwright’s Group. Featuring old and new faces to The Lantern, this night celebrated the fifty years we’ve been around and kicked off the next fifty years with a bang!

Directed by Vera Lambert, written by Trent Reese, starring Brian Smith, Bobby Simpson, Bob Lytle, Jeff Ward, Chloe Showalter, Wendy Shirar, Neely Caudle, and Darby Lytle.

Partnering for the very first time, The Lantern and the Maumelle Players combined forces to bring this explosively funny and immensely intimate powerhouse of a show to life! Performed (with immense pleasure and gratefulness) at the Shepherd of the Peace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Maumelle.

Directed by Trent Reese, stage managed by Brian Smith and Anna Ruth Merritt, starring Julia Werner, Cora Mattson, Wendy Shirar, Hillary Bell, Jeanie Belew, Shann Nobles.

We were SO proud and excited to partner with Compass Academy to bring you “Annie Kids” in May 2023! Bringing out the best of “Annie” in a compact run designed to set children up for success, Annie kids could not have been any more fun.

“Compass Academy is a private, non-profit school developed for children with developmental disabilities or difficulty adjusting to the public school setting. We believe every child has unique God-given gifts that need to be fostered. We further believe that all students are able to learn and thrive in an educational setting.” https://www.compassacademyconway.org

Directed by Jessica Miller.

Making his directorial debut, Dr. Wayne Stengel captained a complex, heartbreaking tale woven with delicate intensity in “Doubt.” Thanks to the generous collaboration with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, this production nestled the story of “Doubt” within the parish hall to several nights of packed audiences in Conway.

Directed by Wayne Stengel. Stage Manbgement Vera Lambert, starring Pammi Fabert, Darby Lytle, Bobby Simpson, Rachel Sydney.