Erie Playhouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Erie Playhouse

Erie Civic Theatre Association
Address	13 West 10th Street Erie, Pennsylvania USA
Website
www.erieplayhouse.org

The Erie Playhouse is a famous old theatre found in Erie, Pennsylvania. It's a special place where people go to watch plays and shows.

History of the Playhouse

The Erie Playhouse started a long time ago, in 1882. It was first called the "Peoples Theatre." Later, in 1916, it officially became the Erie Civic Theatre Association.

Early Homes of the Theatre

• In 1882, the theatre group performed at the H.V. Claus Block building. This building was on State Street in Erie.
• From 1915 to 1919, shows were held at the Reed Hotel.
• In 1919, the theatre moved to the Keystone Brass Foundry. They stayed there until 1927.
• The Playhouse built its very own building in 1929. This new home was on West 7th Street.
• They performed there until 1965, except for three years during World War II.
• In 1965, the building was sold to Gannon University.
• The theatre then moved to the Penn Movie House in Wesleyville, Pennsylvania.
• They performed there until 1975. Fire safety rules meant they had to leave that building.
• For a while, the theatre group performed in many different places around Erie. They were even called the "Brave Little Theatre Without A Home."

Finding a Permanent Home

• In 1983, the theatre company bought the Strand Theatre. This building is at 13 West 10th Street in downtown Erie.
• This is still the Erie Playhouse's home today!
• It is a special type of theatre called a proscenium theatre. This means the audience watches the show through a large arch, like a picture frame.
• When they first moved in, the theatre could seat 520 people.
• After some updates in 2007, it now has space for 433 people.
• The theatre also had a big renovation in 1993, costing one million US dollars.

Famous Shows and Milestones

• The first show performed in their new home in 1983 was Annie.
• In 2000, they performed The Sound of Music. This was their 1,000th show at their current theatre!

Directors of the Erie Playhouse

Many talented people have led the Erie Playhouse over the years:

• Henry B. Vincent (1916–1941)
• L. Newell Tarrant (1946–1962)
• Bill Cohen (around 1962–1972)
• David Matthews (1972–2006)
• Almitra Clerkin (2006–2017)
• Kate Lechner (2017-2023)
• Zach Flock (2023 - current)

Awards and Recognition

The Erie Playhouse has received special awards for its great work:

• In 1985, the American Theatre Association named it one of the Ten Best Community Theatres in the United States.
• In 2015, the PA Theatre Guide gave the Erie Playhouse the Reader's Choice Award. It was named the Best Community Theatre in Pennsylvania.

Fun Programs for Kids

The Erie Playhouse offers exciting programs for students and young people:

• Youtheatre: This program gives students a chance to learn about theatre. They can take classes and even join a popular summer camp. It's a great way to learn what happens behind the scenes!
• PLAYtime: This program uses art, music, and drama to bring stories to life. It connects with books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Kids can enjoy stories through songs, acting, movement, and art.