Great Bend Community Theatre’s first play was “Night Watch,” which opened in November of 1982 at Roosevelt Junior High School.
The following year GBCT moved to the former Countryside School, which was owned by Great Bend USD 428. The play “Twigs” was performed there in January 1993.
The Crest Theater was acquired from Crown Cinema Corp. around 1990. GBCT, a nonprofit organization, approached the Great Bend City Council about becoming partners. The facility is owned by the city and managed by the theater board.
The Crest was renovated with community fundraising. The first production at the Crest was the musical “Nunsense” in November 1991.
The Crest Theater was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 2005.