[1] The theater operated as a stock company from 1935 until 1969, providing early professional experience to thespians like Paul Newman, Del Close, Gary Burghoff and Harrison Ford.

Located on Bailey Road south of the intersection of highways 50 and 67, on what was once called Delap Corners, the Belfry produced seasonal productions from the early 1930s through the 1970s and sporadically thereafter.

Nearby Crane Hall, more recently named Belfry House, served as a dormitory for resident company members.

After regular annual productions ceased, "occasional revivals and performances were booked at the Belfry into the 1990s,"[5] as, for example, when showman Eddie Cash presented musical tributes to popular singers.

In the early days, actors who received pay were often required to spend hours constructing and painting settings and props in the scene shop.

Several well-known actors received their early career opportunities at the Belfry, including Paul Newman (1949), Del Close (1953), Gary Burghoff (1962), and Harrison Ford (1964).

You can hope to Christ that you can remember your lines, and that’s about as far as it goes.”[9] Others felt the experience was valuable for teaching young actors what was necessary to make their characters' traits clear and to sell plots in many different styles to an audience.

In the 1950s and '60s, Belfry occasionally attempted more serious fare by Arthur Miller (All My Sons), Tennessee Williams (The Glass Menagerie), and Peter Shaffer (Five Finger Exercise).