Virginia Samford Theatre: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Virginia Samford Theatre exterior.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Exterior of the Virginia Samford Theatre in 2014]] | |||
[[File:Virginia Samford Theatre interior.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Interior of the Virginia Samford Theatre in 2014]] | |||
The '''Virginia Samford Theatre''' is a neighborhood theater located at 1116 [[26th Street South]] at [[Caldwell Park]] in the [[Highland Park]] neighborhood of [[Birmingham]]. | The '''Virginia Samford Theatre''' is a neighborhood theater located at 1116 [[26th Street South]] at [[Caldwell Park]] in the [[Highland Park]] neighborhood of [[Birmingham]]. | ||
The [[Birmingham Little Theater]] troupe began performing under the direction of [[Bernhard Szold]] in [[1923]] at the [[Margaret Allen School]] on [[Highland Avenue]]. Within a few years it was successful enough to construct its own dedicated playhouse. | The [[Birmingham Little Theater]] troupe began performing under the direction of [[Bernhard Szold]] in [[1923]] at the [[Margaret Allen School]] on [[Highland Avenue]]. Within a few years it was successful enough to construct its own dedicated playhouse. | ||
The building was constructed in [[1927]] as the '''Little Theatre''' and by 1940 was recognized as "one of the ten leading Little Theatres in the nation" by the ''New York Times''. Shortly thereafter the pressures of World War II forced the theater to close. | The building was constructed in [[1927]] as the '''Little Theatre''' and by 1940 was recognized as "one of the ten leading Little Theatres in the nation" by the ''New York Times''. Shortly thereafter the pressures of [[World War II]] forced the theater to close. The building was sold out of foreclosure to the Mormon Church in [[1943]]. | ||
In | In [[1954]] [[Augusta Noland]] purchased the theater building and donated it to the [[UAB|University of Alabama Birmingham Extension Center]] for their fledgling [[Town & Gown Theater]] company. Mrs Noland was the daughter of [[Louis Clark]], one of the founders of the theater in 1927. It was re-named the '''Clark Memorial Theatre''' in his memory. | ||
UAB announced plans to sell the theater in 1999. It was purchased by the [[Metropolitan Arts Council]] and dubbed the '''Metropolitan Arts Center''' to reflect its use as the council's offices, which they share with smaller arts groups as an "arts incubator". A large portion of the funding that enabled the purchase was provided by [[Virginia Samford Donovan]] and the theater auditorium was again renamed in her honor. A campaign to raise $3 million for renovations and an operations endowment was launched in 2003. | UAB announced plans to sell the theater in [[1999]]. It was purchased by the [[Metropolitan Arts Council]] and dubbed the '''Metropolitan Arts Center''' to reflect its use as the council's offices, which they share with smaller arts groups as an "arts incubator". A large portion of the funding that enabled the purchase was provided by [[Virginia Samford Donovan]] and the theater auditorium was again renamed in her honor. A campaign to raise $3 million for renovations and an operations endowment was launched in [[2003]]. | ||
Included in the renovations | Included in the renovations was new rehearsal space, an area for receptions, and a "black box" theater room, dubbed the [[Martha Moore Sykes]] Studio, which opened in August [[2006]] with a cabaret performance by [[Four for Time]]. Another renovation in [[2015]] expanded the lobby with a bar area and updated mechanical systems. | ||
The Samford Theatre hosts several production series including those of [[Red Mountain Theatre Company]], [[CenterStage]] Productions, and the STARS series, an educational program for outstanding drama students. The Samford Theatre also hosts the annual [[Bravo Birmingham Arts Festival]] with indoor and outdoor performances. | |||
The Samford Theatre hosts several production series including those of [[Red Mountain Theatre Company]], [[CenterStage]] Productions, and the STARS series, an educational program for outstanding drama students. The Samford Theatre also hosts the annual [[ | |||
The theater also hosts special performances and offers regular acting classes. The MAC offers its board room for catered dinners prior to selected shows. | The theater also hosts special performances and offers regular acting classes. The MAC offers its board room for catered dinners prior to selected shows. | ||
=== | ==Executive directors== | ||
* [[Philip Mann]], 2023– | |||
* | |||
==References== | |||
* Ferguson, Hill (November 1963) "Dreams and Pipe Dreams". ''Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society'', No. 4 | |||
* | * Phillips, Ryan (April 13, 2015) "Virginia Samford Theatre to undergo renovations." {{BBJ}} | ||
* Rebman, Stephanie (May 30, 2023) "Virginia Samford Theatre names new executive director." {{BBJ}} | |||
* | |||
* | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org Virginia Samford Theatre] website | * [http://www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org Virginia Samford Theatre] website | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1923 establishments]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:26th Street South]] | ||
[[Category:1927 buildings]] | [[Category:1927 buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Theaters]] | [[Category:Theaters]] | ||
[[Category:Caldwell Park]] | |||
[[Category:Business incubators]] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:06, 30 May 2023
The Virginia Samford Theatre is a neighborhood theater located at 1116 26th Street South at Caldwell Park in the Highland Park neighborhood of Birmingham.
The Birmingham Little Theater troupe began performing under the direction of Bernhard Szold in 1923 at the Margaret Allen School on Highland Avenue. Within a few years it was successful enough to construct its own dedicated playhouse.
The building was constructed in 1927 as the Little Theatre and by 1940 was recognized as "one of the ten leading Little Theatres in the nation" by the New York Times. Shortly thereafter the pressures of World War II forced the theater to close. The building was sold out of foreclosure to the Mormon Church in 1943.
In 1954 Augusta Noland purchased the theater building and donated it to the University of Alabama Birmingham Extension Center for their fledgling Town & Gown Theater company. Mrs Noland was the daughter of Louis Clark, one of the founders of the theater in 1927. It was re-named the Clark Memorial Theatre in his memory.
UAB announced plans to sell the theater in 1999. It was purchased by the Metropolitan Arts Council and dubbed the Metropolitan Arts Center to reflect its use as the council's offices, which they share with smaller arts groups as an "arts incubator". A large portion of the funding that enabled the purchase was provided by Virginia Samford Donovan and the theater auditorium was again renamed in her honor. A campaign to raise $3 million for renovations and an operations endowment was launched in 2003.
Included in the renovations was new rehearsal space, an area for receptions, and a "black box" theater room, dubbed the Martha Moore Sykes Studio, which opened in August 2006 with a cabaret performance by Four for Time. Another renovation in 2015 expanded the lobby with a bar area and updated mechanical systems.
The Samford Theatre hosts several production series including those of Red Mountain Theatre Company, CenterStage Productions, and the STARS series, an educational program for outstanding drama students. The Samford Theatre also hosts the annual Bravo Birmingham Arts Festival with indoor and outdoor performances.
The theater also hosts special performances and offers regular acting classes. The MAC offers its board room for catered dinners prior to selected shows.
Executive directors
- Philip Mann, 2023–
References
- Ferguson, Hill (November 1963) "Dreams and Pipe Dreams". Journal of the Birmingham Historical Society, No. 4
- Phillips, Ryan (April 13, 2015) "Virginia Samford Theatre to undergo renovations." Birmingham Business Journal
- Rebman, Stephanie (May 30, 2023) "Virginia Samford Theatre names new executive director." Birmingham Business Journal
External links
- Virginia Samford Theatre website