![]() As early as 1909, Percy MacKaye wrote of the need for “civic” theatre activity, which he saw as “the conscious awakening of a people to self-government in the activities of its leisure.” ( The Civic Theatre, 1912). However, some months before the Irish Players tour, several “definitely conscious little theatres” were begun in Wisconsin and Illinois, devoting themselves to production of native local drama. According to Robert Gard and Gertrude Burley, they “fired the American imagination ” their tour “aroused the antagonism of American citizens against the feeble productions of the commercial theatre, and seemed to be the catalyst that caused countless dramatic groups to germinate all over America, as a protest against commercial drama.” ( Community Theatre: Idea and Achievement, 1959). tour of the Irish Players seemed to have the greatest impact on us. ![]() The size of their performing halls led to the name “little theatre.” The 1911 U.S. The European Art Theatre Movement, which is usually credited for having given impetus to the American Little Theatre Movement, had begun prior to the turn of the century with revolutionary changes in theatre technique, playwriting, and acting style. The movement has been called “art theatre,” “little theatre,” “amateur theatre,” even “tributary theatre.” “Community theatre” was coined by Louise Burleigh in 1917.Īn identifiable “movement” was definitely underway in the early 1900’s. In 1877, the Footlight Club was founded in Jamaica Plain, MA and has been declared by AACT to be the oldest continuously producing community theatre in the U.S.Įven the name “community theatre” took some time to evolve. In 1874, two groups were founded: the Aurora Drama Guild in Illinois and the Concord Players in Massachusetts (by Louisa May Alcott). ![]() We know there were amateur theatricals during the Colonial and Revolutionary War times, and the Mormons founded the Deseret Theatre around 1850. No one seems to have been conscious it was a “movement” which needed to be set down for posterity. The beginnings of community theatre in the U.S. Theatre in America: Appraisal and Challenge It engages more people in theatrical activity, albeit part-time, than all the rest of the American theatre put together, including schools and colleges.” “Community Theatre occupies a peculiarly important position in the American theater picture.
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