Tornado recovery: Sikeston Little Theatre’s journey back to the stage

Gina Curtis/Standard Democrat An employee with Sunrise Steel Structures LLC of Advance, Missouri, is seen on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, working to remove the exterior and insulation damaged from the EF3 tornado that ripped through Sikeston in late May. Repairs are also needed inside the building and are expected to be completed by the first of the year.

SIKESTON — Repairs to the Sikeston Little Theatre are officially underway after the building was damaged from a tornado over the summer.

An EF3 tornado struck Sikeston over Memorial Day weekend in May. Winds in Sikeston ranged from 115 to 140 mph and caused damage.

The EF3 tornado ripped the roof of the Sikeston Little Theatre building and caused significant damage.

The Theatre’s most recent production, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” was only a week from opening when the tornado struck.

According to Dennis Bohannon, president of the SLT Board of Directors, parts of the Theatre are made of steel, and the theater is being repaired by Sunrise Steel Structures LLC of Advance, Missouri.

The construction company is currently working on removing the old insulation so they can begin repairs, Bohannon said.

“Equipment has been moved in to start working on the building hopefully next week once they have removed all of the insulation,” Bohannon said. “They will then replace the sheet metal that was destroyed in the storm and the structural damage has to be replaced, and then they will replace the insulation.”

Bohannon said the construction of the shell of the building is expected to be completed by the first of the year.

Bohannon said repairs must be made the inside as well.

“Once the shell of the building is finished, we will go back inside and start working on the inside,” Bohannon said. 

According to Bohannon, the stage floor was water-damaged beyond repair from the tornado and will need to be replaced. 

“Not only does the stage have to be redone, but the sound and lighting have to be redone, and we need to replace all the curtains,” Bohannon said. 

Bohannon said the theater was covered by insurance and there were individuals who also made donations.

“We are really thankful for the general public and those that made donations,” Bohannon said. “We really appreciate it, and we are looking forward to getting back on stage.”

Bohannon said the Theatre is still planning to perform their most recent production once work is complete.

“Once everything is ready to go, we will be doing ‘The Play That Goes Wrong,’” Bohannon said. “We were just about a week away from opening that show so we will resume rehearsals for that and get that on stage as soon as possible.”

Bohannon said they are looking forward to presenting the show to the community.