FCT History   |    Flag History   |   FCT Board of Directors

 

The original building known as the Curtis Store until a fire gutted the store in 1931.   The Sproule Brothers of Hutchinson owned the Iris Cinema (now Sarah’s Bookstore three doors to the south of this building) early this century.  Cost?  Five cents a movie.  Business was evidently good because they built the State Theatre in 1936 on this property.  The Sproule brothers, Carl and Robert, purchased the building and rennovated the structure into the State Theater in 1936. A photograph of the front of the State Theater is on display in the lobby of the Flag Theatre, home of the Family Children’s Theatre.  

Jay Wooten purchased the State Theater in 1959. In 1952 the State was bought out, the theatre renovated and renamed – the FLAG.  At that time the Hutchinson News reported that, “There will be a new front, a new sign, a new canopy, glass front doors, a foyer with rest rooms on the north and south.” The marquee rennovation included an ornamental iron railing on the top of the marquee. 

The Flag Theater was purchased from United Artists of Kansas City by the Hutchinson Children’s Theatre, Inc. in the summer of 1993.  The interior and exterior were rennovated during a 15 weeks period.  The front of the theatre continued to be covered with the black glass siding.  The iron railing was still a part of the marquee. 

 

In 2006 The Family Children’s Theatre (the common name for the incorporated Hutchinson Children’s Theatre) rennovated the front of the theatre. 

The Flag Theatre was awarded the Governor’s Award of Excellence for downtown renovation.  This structure is the only Festival Stage Complex in the State of Kansas.                                                             

The FLAG is a regional family arts and educational center and home of the Family Children’s Theatre (FCT).  FCT produces its regular subscription series of eight stage presentations, seven of which are at the FLAG.
 

Beside the FCT, others who have used the facility included the Kansas State Historical Society, Reno County Museum, ESSDACK teacher conferencing and Century 21 Realtors.  Events have ranged from fashion shows and vocal recitals to bodybuilding competitions and town meetings. The Flag serves as the site for the Reno County Spelling Bee and the annual Ulster Project talent show.  Recently, Little Miss Hutchinson was conducted on the Flag’s stage.

The FLAG is a nonsmoking facility.  It also is in compliance with the American Disabilities Act.  A basic range of theatrical sound and lighting capabilities are included in the rental contract.

The FLAG seats 300 in first class, fixed, theatre seating.  No main floor patron is more than forty feet from our unique stage.  Forty-five of the seats are located in the exclusive Patrons Balcony.  There are two backstage dressing rooms including restroom facilities.