The Lee’s Summit Community Theatre began in 1982, when the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce underwrote the first musical, "Oklahoma." The success of that first community musical was orchestrated in large part due to the efforts of Sue Nichols and Karen Aitkens, who were the guiding force behind the community theatre, and an integral part of the production of the first few shows.

The non-profit organization known as the Lee’s Summit Community Theatre was created in August of 1985, with Karen Aitkens serving as President. It has continued to thrive, and is preparing to celebrate its twentieth season of shows, an incredible accomplishment for any community theatre.