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 | , |
The Hedgerow Theatre is a special theatre company located in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania. This town is close to Philadelphia. The theatre was started in 1923. For many years, it was known as the only true professional repertory theater in the United States. A repertory theatre means they have a group of actors who perform many different plays. The theatre building itself is very old and is part of the Rose Valley Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look at Hedgerow's History
How It All Began
The Hedgerow Theatre was founded in 1923 by Jasper Deeter. He was a director and actor from New York. He found the perfect spot in Rose Valley, not far from Media and Swarthmore. The theatre building was originally a gristmill, built in 1840. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. Later, it was rebuilt and became a theatre that can seat 144 people. Some records say it was first built in 1807 as a snuff mill. Then it became a hand-weaving mill before becoming a theatre.
Special Features of the Theatre
The Hedgerow Theatre building is an important part of the Rose Valley Historic District. Inside, the "green room" has a staircase and a table designed by Wharton Esherick. He was a famous American craftsman. He also designed sets for Hedgerow plays.
A short distance from the theatre is Hedgerow House. This house provides a home for the actors who live there. It's also used for rehearsals, classes, and offices. The theatre's costumes and props are stored there too.
The Founding Story
In 1923, Jasper Deeter was visiting Swarthmore with a group of actors. They were from the Provincetown Playhouse. He was walking along a road and found an old mill. He went inside to rest. He saw that the mill had been used for amateur plays before. Deeter realized it could be a great place for a theatre.
He decided to leave the Provincetown company. With six actors, he started Hedgerow as a permanent repertory theatre. Their very first play was Candida by George Bernard Shaw. Local people helped a lot. They were part of the cast and helped with scenery, props, and lights.
Famous Support and Plays
Hedgerow Theatre performs many different types of plays. They do both serious dramas and funny comedies. Every July, they have a special George Bernard Shaw Festival. Shaw himself helped Deeter with advice. He also gave Hedgerow special permission to perform his plays. Shaw believed that theatres like Hedgerow kept live theatre strong.
In 1931, the actress Ann Harding bought the Hedgerow Theatre building. She paid $5,000 for it. Then, she gave it to the theatre company as a gift.
Hedgerow's Impact and Achievements
Over the years, Hedgerow has helped other theatre 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. It is known for putting on plays by famous writers like George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O'Neill, and Seán O'Casey.
Many talented actors have performed at Hedgerow. Some well-known names include Richard Basehart, Ann Harding, Keanu Reeves, Stephen Lang, and Austin Pendleton.
Leadership and Current Activities
From 1990 to 2013, Penelope Reed was the artistic director of Hedgerow. Her son, Jared Reed, now leads the company.
Today, Hedgerow Theatre puts on more than twenty-four plays each year. They rely on their members, volunteers, and the local community. Their main season includes new plays, comedies, and plays by Shakespeare. They also have a "Horizons" series. This series often shows new plays and features younger actors.
Hedgerow is dedicated to helping schools. They offer tours and outreach programs. They also have a special Children's Theatre. The theatre offers fellowships for recent college graduates. These programs give young people real-world experience in different parts of theatre work. In 2005, Hedgerow won a Barrymore Award for Best New Play. The award was for The Lives of Bosie by John Wolfson.
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