Kara DeBacker
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Kara DeBacker is a native of Springfield, Missouri. She earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Colorado College, emphasizing Theory and Practice of the Arts, the aesthetics of film, and time spent studying theater and the arts in London and Germany. She then studied filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. In 1991, she moved back to Springfield with her husband, Mike DeBacker, and has worked for the last 35 years as an educator, artist, publisher, disability rights advocate, speaker, and most importantly, proud parent to her son Adam. Her book is a token of thanks to Springfield Little Theatre for its passionate dedication to arts education and a love letter to The Landers for being home to a historic legacy.
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The Landers: Biography of a Theater
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History
The Landers: Biography of a Theater is a fascinating chronicle of one of America’s oldest and most storied theaters—The Landers Theater. Built in 1909 through the unlikely partnership of an immigrant Canadian lumberjack and a smooth-talking piano salesman, The Landers has become far more than just a beautiful building with a rich past. It’s a living monument to the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of the remarkable people who nurtured and sustained its legacy. Drawing on meticulous research, never-before-published documents, and a century of history, local author Kara DeBacker captures the essence of The Landers through stunning images, articles, correspondence, and essays. This book is a tribute to the cultural history of Springfield, Missouri, and to the enduring spirit of the arts. Today, The Landers Theater stands as the permanent stage for Springfield Little Theatre, Missouri’s oldest and largest community theatre organization, and continues to inspire generations of performers and audiences alike. 
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