ABOUT
Chester Little Theatre is one of the oldest continually operating community theater groups in South Carolina. From its beginning in 1971, CLT has produced at least one show every year for the past 47 years. We are committed to bringing quality live theater performances to the Chester County community and enlightening and educating all ages through performance.
We express our mission through many different types of theater from musicals to drama to classics to children’s theater; we are dedicated to the theater arts.
PRESIDENT
RUSS WHITE
has been with CLT for 34 years where he has not only acted in production but also contributed in set design, lighting, sound, stage-managing and directing. He first appeared on the stage as a "seaman" in "Mister Roberts" in 1985 and has gone on to participate in countless other productions including "1776," "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Barefoot in the Park." He was born and raised in Chester, SC where he currently resides with his wife of 28 years, Gina White. They have four "fur babies" Oscar, Mia, Woody and Penny. He is the local business owner of Chester Veterinary Clinic on Columbia Road. When not volunteering with CLT he enjoys traveling and camping. He believes that theatre is important to the community because it is important to continue to bring the arts to the people of Chester.
VICE PRESIDENT
JOHN CARLISE RODDEY
(A.K.A. Johnny) has been with CLT for 45 years. He first appeared on the stage in “Tom Sawyer” in 1974. He went on to participate in “Funny Girl”, “Hello Dolly,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Godspell,” “Nunsene A-Men,” “Smoke on the Mountain,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “1776,” “Bus Stop,” “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s,” “My Fair Lady,” plus many, many more!! He was born and raised in Chester, SC and except for a few years, he has lived there all his life. When not volunteering with CLT he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoys traveling, seeing new places and new experiences and just really enjoys life! He has recently become interested in family history and has traveled to Ireland twice to experience the land of his ancestors and hopes to travel to England, Wales and Scotland in the foreseeable future to continue the journey into his ancestor’s past. He believes that being from a small town such as Chester, it is vital to have options such as theatre as a form of entertainment and self-expression for the young and not so young alike. It also says something about our community that they have supported the Chester Little Theatre for the past 48 years.
GLINDA COLEMAN
has been with CLT for 35 years where she has participated in countless productions. Her first production with CLT was "Funny Girl" in 1983 where she ran lights for the show. Other productions include "Man of LaMancha", "Gypsy" and "Hello Dolly." Glinda was born and raised in Chester, SC and has been married to Scott Coleman for 28 years whom she met at CLT while directing the production of "Our Town." She has two daughters Anne and Laura Coleman who were practically raised on the CLT stage. She is the director of the Great Falls Home Town Association in Great Falls, SC. She is a true devout thespian as theatre is her life. She believes that theatre is important to the Chester community because it is not only important to entertain but to educate, broaden horizons and add a different perspective to the community.
LEIGH ANN HILTON
has been with CLT for 24 years where she has participated in many productions including “Noises Off,” “Laundry and Bourbon” and “Dixie Swim Club.” Leigh Ann was born in Atlanta, GA and moved to Chester in 1978. She enjoys yoga, cooking and visiting local wineries and breweries. She has two dogs, Bruiser and Fiona and she is the cousin of longtime CLT member, Terry Cameron. She believes that theatre is a creative outlet that impacts and influences every member in the community.