PASADENA PLAYHOUSE ALUMNI & ASSOCIATES

HISTORY

The Pasadena Playhouse opened at the present site in 1925, and the School of the Theatre officially opened with 24 students in 1928. It became an accredited College of Theatre Arts in 1936, awarding both a Bachelor and Master of Theatre Arts degree to those with sufficient undergraduate credits. Others received an Associate of Theatre Arts certificate, and a six-week summer session was also offered.

With the advent of "talkies,” Hollywood sent its stars to the Playhouse to learn to 'speak.’ The school flourished, and often contributed substantially to keeping the theatre open. After World War II, the G.I. Bill paid tuition for scores of servicemen and swelled the student rolls to well over 300. Many well-known 'names' trained at this prestigious school, among them, Robert Young, Barbara Rush, Victor Jory, Raymond Burr, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and Sally Struthers.

Originally, there were two branches, one in New York and the other in Pasadena. Over the years many Mainstage cast members, staff, other employees, and volunteers have expressed interest in joining. The constitution and organization name were changed to allow these people to join us and are now known as the Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates. Anyone who has studied, worked, or is working at the Playhouse, and their family members are eligible to join.

Even during the darkest part of Playhouse history - when the theatre sat vacant for 16 years - the PPA&A continued holding the annual Brunch/meeting and publishing the newsletter, "Stage Whispers". A handful of members worked tirelessly for several years to keep the facility from the wrecking ball.

In the 1960s, competition increased with well-equipped college and university drama departments across the country. The Playhouse faced mounting competition from film and television, the many theatres popping up throughout Southern California, and the opening of the Los Angeles Theatre Center (now The Music Center). In1966, the Playhouse doors were padlocked for non-payment of Federal withholding taxes. New funds were secured and the school re-opened, only to close permanently in June 1969, after graduating its last class. This sad event was followed by the liquidation of all assets at public auction as 1970 drew to a close.

The Alumni Association was founded in 1953, and has always been an active part of the Playhouse. The organization is now based in Pasadena and includes members across the US and Canada.

When the theatre came back to life in 1986, the PPA&A went to work to help bring back its former glory. We located and brought home original furnishings and many of the Library's original books. Through generous donations from members, the Library shelves are once again filled with works covering all aspects of theatre, film, and television. There is even a section of the Library devoted to the works of our published alumni. After many years, we've found the Jory Bell, rung each evening to call the audience to their seats. Alumni have restored the portraits of founder, Gilmor Brown (hanging in the theatre lobby), and Lenore Shanewise, which graces the Green Room. We have also restored Gilmor's desk (located in the Library), and completely restored the Library itself. Reaching farther a field, the association underwrites the "Educator Guides", a teaching tool with classroom activity supplements to the Student Matinees, where we also usher. The Alumni play a vital role in collecting and maintaining the Playhouse Archives, and give tours of the Playhouse. Our single greatest contribution to our beloved alma mater is the creation and administration of The Henry and Joyce Sumid Scholarship for needy students of the arts.

We warmly welcome all who qualify for membership in this historic organization.

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