Priscilla Beach Theatre facts for kids
The Priscilla Beach Theatre ("PBT") is a very old and famous barn theatre located in the Manomet area of Plymouth, Massachusetts. It sits right by Priscilla Beach. It's special because it was one of the first barn theatres ever in America!
Contents
Discovering Priscilla Beach Theatre
How PBT Began
The Priscilla Beach Theatre was started in 1937 by a person named Dr. Franklin Trask. His wife, Agnes, was the first artistic director. This means she was in charge of the creative side of the theatre. The theatre wasn't just one building. It had a main barn theatre with 240 seats, plus many cottages, homes, and dorms for people to stay in. There was even a mansion, a carriage house, and a sports field!
Learning by Doing at PBT
PBT was known for its special "learn-by-doing" training. Thousands of young acting students came here to learn everything about theatre. They learned things like fencing, dancing, and how to direct plays. They also learned about make-up, lighting, and designing the sets for the stage. It was a very hands-on way to learn!
Famous Faces at PBT
Stars of the 1940s and 1950s
During the 1940s and 1950s, many famous actors and actresses visited PBT. They would even perform in plays with the students! Some of these big stars included Edward Everett Horton, Veronica Lake, Charlie Ruggles, and Gloria Swanson. At that time, as many as 150 actors would live at the theatre. They would often perform one play at night and rehearse another play during the day.
Many students who later became famous also started at PBT. These included Paul Newman, Robert MacNeil, Estelle Parsons, Pat Carroll, Sandy Dennis, and Jean Seberg. Even Emmy Award-winning art director Jan Scott was a student here.
New Talent in the 1960s and 1970s
In the 1960s, James Lonigro (who was known as Geronimo Sands) became the new artistic director. More talented young people came through the theatre's tough summer training program. This group included Rob Reiner, Al Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge. Other notable alumni from this period include André Bishop, who founded Playwrights Horizons, and Andy Lack, a well-known news executive. Curtis Sliwa, who started the Guardian Angels, also trained here. In the 1970s, Tufts University leased the theatre, and actor Peter Gallagher performed on its stage.
PBT's Impact and Legacy
Inspiring Stories
The Priscilla Beach Theatre has inspired many creative works. Author and composer Rick Besoyan wrote his famous musical "Little Mary Sunshine" while he was at PBT. The famous entertainer Mickey Rooney said that PBT was the idea behind his movie "Babes in Arms," which he starred in with Judy Garland. Robert MacNeil, a well-known journalist, even said on a TV show that PBT helped him learn to manage his Canadian accent!
Awards and Recognition
Many people who trained at PBT have gone on to win lots of awards. They have won at least four Academy Awards (Oscars), nine Tony Awards, and four Golden Globes. They also have five stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame! This shows how much talent came from this special theatre.
PBT Today
In February 2013, Bob and Sandy Malone bought the Priscilla Beach Theatre. They spent two years fixing up and restoring the old barn. The first play performed back in the renovated barn was "Fiddler on the Roof" in July 2015. Today, PBT continues to be a place where theatre magic happens!
