Summit Playhouse facts for kids
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Summit Playhouse
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Original 1891 building
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 Location in Union County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 10 New England Avenue Summit, New Jersey |
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| Built | ca. 1891 |
| Architect | Arthur Bates Jennings |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 09001177 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 2009 |
The Summit Playhouse is a special theater located in Summit, New Jersey. It is home to one of the oldest amateur community theaters in the United States. An amateur theater means that people who love acting perform there, not professional actors. This theater puts on new shows every year. For example, in 2011, they presented plays like Meet Me in St. Louis, Closer Than Ever, and Speed the Plow.
Contents
History of the Playhouse
The First Building and Its Purpose
The building where the Summit Playhouse is located has a long history. It was first built around 1891. A famous architect named Arthur Bates Jennings designed it. The building was made in the Romanesque style, which means it looked like old Roman buildings. When it was first built, it was not a theater. It was the town's very first library.
From Library to Theater Space
In 1900, the town of Summit started its own public library. This new library was run by the city. By 1910, the library moved to a different building. This left the beautiful Romanesque building empty. Even though it was empty, it still belonged to the library association.
The Playhouse Association Begins
During World War I, in 1918, a group called The Playhouse Association was formed. This group was created to help with war relief efforts. They needed a place to meet and perform. So, they rented the empty old library building. They paid only one dollar a year for the next fifty years! The deal was that they had to take care of the building.
Growing and Becoming a True Theater
The Playhouse Association grew over the years. In 1960, a new part was added to the building. This new section was an auditorium with 120 seats. The original 1891 building was then changed into the stage area. This made it a proper theater. In 1968, the Summit Library Association officially gave the building to the theater group. This meant the theater owned its home.
Directors of the Playhouse
Many talented people have directed shows at the Summit Playhouse.
- Norman Lee Swartout (1918)
