Hedgerow Theatre facts for kids
Hedgerow Theatre on Rose Valley Road
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| Private | |
| Industry | Theatre company |
| Founded | 1923 in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | Jasper Deeter |
| Headquarters | , |
Hedgerow Theatre is an old and famous theater company. It started in 1923 in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, close to Philadelphia. For a long time, it was the only professional "repertory theater" in the U.S. This means they had a group of actors who performed many different plays. The theater building itself is very important. It's part of the Rose Valley Historic District, which is a special place listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Story of Hedgerow Theatre
How It All Began
Hedgerow Theatre was started in 1923 by Jasper Deeter. He was an actor and director from New York. The theater is in Rose Valley, not far from Media and Swarthmore.
The building where the theater is located has a long history. It was first built in 1840 as a gristmill, which is a mill for grinding grain. Some records say it was built even earlier, in 1807, as a snuff mill. Later, it became a hand-weaving mill. After some changes in the early 1900s, it became a theater that can seat 108 people.
The building is a special part of the Rose Valley Historic District. Inside, the "green room" (a waiting room for actors) once had a staircase and table designed by Wharton Esherick. He was a famous American artist who made things from wood.
About half a mile from the theater is Hedgerow House. This house was used for actors to live in. It was also a place for rehearsals, a school, and an office. The theater's costumes and props were kept there too.
A Special Discovery
In 1923, Jasper Deeter was visiting Swarthmore with a group of actors. He was walking along Possum Hollow Road and found an old mill. He went inside to rest and saw that it had been used for plays before. Deeter realized it would be a perfect place for a theater.
He decided to start his own theater company called Hedgerow. He began with six actors. Their very first play was Candida by George Bernard Shaw. Many local people helped out. They acted in the plays and even helped make the scenery, props, and lights.
Famous Friends and Plays
Hedgerow Theatre became known for putting on many different kinds of plays. They performed both serious dramas and funny comedies. Every July, they have a special festival just for plays by George Bernard Shaw.
Shaw himself was very supportive of Hedgerow. He gave Deeter advice and special permission to perform his plays. Shaw once said that theaters like Hedgerow are important because they keep theater alive.
In 1931, a famous actress named Ann Harding bought the Hedgerow Theatre building for $5,000. She then gave it to the theater company. This helped Hedgerow continue its work.
Growing and Inspiring Others
Over the years, Hedgerow has helped other theater companies get started. One famous example is the People's Light and Theatre Company. Hedgerow has also been the first place where many new plays were performed.
The theater has earned praise for putting on plays by important writers like George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O'Neill, and Seán O'Casey. Many talented actors have performed at Hedgerow, including Richard Basehart, Ann Harding, Keanu Reeves, Stephen Lang, and Austin Pendleton.
Leadership and Programs
From 1990 to 2013, Penelope Reed was the artistic director, guiding the theater's creative choices. Her son, Jared Reed, took over after her. In 2021, Marcie Bramucci became the executive artistic director.
Today, Hedgerow's main stage offers a variety of plays. These include new stories, funny comedies, and plays by Shakespeare. The company also works with schools, offering special programs and a Children's Theatre.
Hedgerow helps new college graduates who want to work in theater. They offer special programs that give young people hands-on experience in different parts of theater work. In 2005, Hedgerow won a Barrymore Award for "Best New Play." The award was for a play called The Lives of Bosie by John Wolfson.
