Cumberland Theatre facts for kids

The Cumberland Theatre is a special place in Western Maryland. It's the only professional theatre in the area. You can find it in Cumberland, Maryland. This theatre puts on many different kinds of shows. They perform exciting musicals, fun plays, and serious dramas. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it's not just about making money. It was started in 1988. Later, in 1991, it moved into an old church building.

History of the Cumberland Theatre

The Cumberland Theatre began as a project of Frostburg State University. The goal was to bring back summer theatre to the area. President Herb Rinehard, Dr. David Press, and Dean Phillip Allen were key founders. They wanted to help the local economy.

Early Years and Growth

The theatre became its own independent group in 1987. A group of leaders called a Board of Trustees was formed. Shirley Giarritta led this board. It included people from the university, local government, and businesses.

The first summer shows started in 1988 and 1989. Dr. Press was the artistic director. Dean Allen later became the executive director. By the third season, Mr. Pat Julian became the first full-time director.

Moving to a New Home

For a while, the theatre performed in a borrowed space. In 1991, with help from the State of Maryland, Mrs. Giarritta and Mr. Nicholas Giarritta bought a building. It was an old church on Johnson Street. They fixed it up to be the theatre's new home.

In 1992, Mr. Don Whisted became the artistic director. He worked there for many years. Mr. Gary Goodson helped him as Associate Producer. Mr. Whisted retired in 2016.

Famous Connections and New Leadership

In 2003, William H. Macy joined the theatre's board. He is a famous actor who has won an Emmy Award. That same year, the main theatre space was named "The Nicholas and Shirley Giarritta Playhouse." This honored their big contributions. Today, Kimberli Rowley and Rhett Wolford are the Co-Artistic Directors.

About the Theatre Building

The Cumberland Theatre is located at 101 North Johnson Street. This building used to be an Assembly of God Church.

Inside the Theatre

The building has many important areas. It holds the costume shop, where outfits are made. There's also a scene shop for building sets. These areas also store props and costumes. The main theatre space can seat 198 people.

The Bev Walker Gallery

When you enter the theatre, you walk into the Bev Walker Gallery. This area serves as the lobby. It always has an art show on display. The art changes with each new play.

How the Theatre is Managed

The Cumberland Theatre is run by a group of volunteers. They form the board of trustees. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means it focuses on its mission, not on making money. Many other volunteers also help out. They work on committees and assist during shows.

Who Supports the Theatre

The theatre gets support from many places. People in Cumberland donate money. Other supporters include Allegany County, the Maryland Arts Council, and the Allegany Arts Council.

What Shows They Produce

The Cumberland Theatre puts on many different kinds of plays. The artistic director often shares a short summary of each play. They also give a rating for language and themes. This helps people choose shows.

Popular Types of Shows

The theatre performs many genres. These include comedy, drama, horror/thriller, and musicals. They also do colonial, autobiographical, romance, crime, and mystery shows. Over the years, musicals have been the most popular. Comedies and thrillers are also very well-liked.

Shows with Diverse Stories

The theatre has also produced many shows about different groups of people. Some examples include:

• The Diary of Anne Frank
• Ain't Misbehavin'
• Hairspray
• The All Night Strut
• To Kill A Mockingbird