Our History
Lincoln City’s very first community theatre was founded in 1975 by The American Association of University Women. By 1979 it was officially incorporated as the non-profit Theatre West of Lincoln City, Ltd and licensed to present live theatre entertainment.
In the beginning, local restaurants, schools and any place that had an open space were the stages for early Theatre West productions. In 1986, Jack Coyne and his partner, Mark La Rocque, owners of Panache Antiques offered their store as a permanent location for all productions. In 1989, Jack and Mark donated the store and property to Theatre West and Jack became its first Artistic Director. This theatre remains grateful for their generosity.
Theatre West was honored to be the first community theatre permitted to perform the smash hits Lend Me a Tenor (1992), by Ken Ludwig and I Hate Hamlet (1996), by Paul Rudnick. Our highest honor, however, remains being allowed to present an excerpted version of William Luce’s Tony award winning play, The Belle of Amherst, directed by the author at the dedication of Lincoln City’s own Driftwood Library when it moved to its current location in 1993.