Lincoln Ampthitheatre History and Mission Statement

HISTORY OF THE LINCOLN AMPHITHEATRE
History l Mission

History of Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association
and Lincoln Amphitheatre

The Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association was organized in 1977 by the Lincoln Club of Southern Indiana. It was their vision to create an outdoor drama in Spencer County, Indiana, that would tell the story of Abraham Lincoln.

After eight years of hard work, Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association was notified that a $3.3 million allocation was approved for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to construct an amphitheatre in Lincoln State Park. Lincoln Amphitheatre was constructed during 1986 & 1987.

After ten years of dedication by volunteers, board members and staff, the vision of an outdoor drama in Spencer County came true. The premiere season of Young Abe Lincoln, written by Billy Edd Wheeler, took place in 1987. Young Abe Lincoln continued to entertain and educate visitors until the final season in 2005.

1987 Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association - Premiere Season of Young Abe Lincoln	2005 Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association - Final Season of Young Abe Lincoln

Janis Sisley Glenda Jackson Iris Ludwig Freda Schroder Bea Jeffrey Hugh Thrasher Robert Blowers Ervin Caldemeyer Mary Jane Griepenstroh Helen Kennedy Betty Grose Norm Hellmers John Chrisney Hugh Barclay David Girton Ralph Kennedy Ray Arensman Herrmann Stephens Reed Brooner Dave BuehlerRod Clutter Mary Conen Norvie Lay Arad McCutchan William Oliver Gretchen Powers Clarence Price Steve Lehman	Kay Bertl Grace Adams Ruth Braun John Calhoun Raymunda Calhoun Elanie Daubenspeck Kathleen Crews Bob Grose Mary Jane Griepenstroh Joe Groves Betty Grose Martha Hemmer Eugenia Groves Ralph Kennedy Al Hemmer Gail Pfohl Helen Kennedy Judy Olinger Hugh Thrasher Jim Portteus Mary Thrasher Duane Walter Kathy Tretter Dan Wilkinson Susie Portteus

We would like to recognize and thank the following for their support and tireless efforts in contributing to Lincoln Amphitheatre.

Representative Russ Stilwell                                                       Senator Richard Young
Indiana Department of Natural Resources                            Lincoln State Park
Bill Koch                                                                                               Will Koch
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial                                        Father Jeremy King
Father Gavin Barnes                                                                       Paula Werne
Bud Schaaf                                                                                          Bill Bartelt
Ralph Kennedy                                                                                 Melissa Miller
Dan Wilkinson                                                                                   Randy Wester
Brad Young                                                                                         Jim Becker
Maxine Brown                                                                                  Dan Brumett
Bill Bussing                                                                                          Art Embrey
Kathy Ettensohn                                                                              Andy Goebel
Eric Hassler                                                                                         John David Lutz
Richard Mourdock                                                                           R.J. Reynolds
Jack Smith                                                                                           Mildred Payne

Business Mission

“ To stage and promote a production that fulfills the Drama Mission, while minimizing financial support from the State of Indiana.”

Drama Mission

“ To produce an inspiring, patriotic dramatization of historical events from the life of Abraham Lincoln which portray his character forged here on the Indiana frontier.”