A toast to Town's 90th birthday

2009-02-20 / Front Page

By Anita Baker

The operating entity of the Town Theatre and owner of the building, the Columbia Stage Society, was founded by Captain Daniel Reed and his wife Isadora in 1919. Reed was a captain in the military stationed at what was then named Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson). A former Broadway performer, he left the military in Columbia and joined the Columbia Drama Club (then called the Columbia Drama League), and one year later, in 1919, Town Theatre was created.

From its start as a wandering band of actors who performed in a USC athletic field, Columbia's very own first community theatre, Town Theatre, has earned the distinction of being the "oldest continuously operating community theatre in the nation" and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The operating entity of the theatre and owner of the building, the Columbia Stage Society, was founded by Captain Daniel Reed and his wife Isadora in 1919. Reed was a captain in the military stationed at what was then named Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson). A former Broadway performer, he left the military in Columbia and joined the Columbia Drama Club (then called the Columbia Drama League), and one year later, in 1919, Town Theatre was created.

Danny Reed

Originally, Town Theatre was in a house- like structure on the Sumter Street property. The present theatre was designed by Columbia architect Arthur W. Hamby and opened December 18, 1924.

The construction of the current building was thoughtfully done with primarily all local materials. All of the bricks were made across the river; the chandeliers, which still hang in the theatre were locally funded; the large stage curtain was made in Olympia; and the stage featured its brick proscenium, which supported the building until

renovations in 1992. At the beginning of the century, an opening night at Town Theatre was the place to be for the cultural movers and shakers of the Columbian community. It was a black tie evening with demitasse coffee served after each show.

Reed served twice as artistic director from 1919- 1927 and 1936- 1938. Town Theatre was called "the star of Columbia's Cultural crown" by James Hammond Moore in Columbia and Richland County: A South Carolna Community: 1740- 1990.

Logo designed by Danny Reed

In the early years of the theatre, Martha Graham danced; Carl Sandburg read his poetry; Delbert Mann, who directed the academy award winning Marty served as a director; Dubose Heyward, author of Porgy and Bess lectured; and later in the 1950s Jasper Johns got his artistic start by painting sets and props.

The Town Theatre has been known to be a family- oriented theatre and as Sandra Willis, who currently serves as executive director, says "We are a community theatre," here for every member of the community. There are no professional actors and many of Columbia's residents have enjoyed participating on stage as well as in the audience or backstage. There are many well- known favorite local amateur performers who have participated in countless plays and musicals for many years of their lives.

Ruth Gottlieb Moore was called "Columbia's First Lady of the stage" in the Town Theatre playbill. Some of her

A Christmas Carol

favorite characters are Grace in Grace and Glorie, Mary Todd Lincoln in The Last of Mrs. Lincoln, Daisy Wethren in Driving Miss Daisy, and Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond. Most often she co- starred with her favorite leading man, Roy Lind. They have starred in so many plays together, Roy Lind would refer to her husband as his husband- in- law, and vice versa.

Her stage debut was in 1950 in The Late Christopher Beam. Since then she has appeared as the leading lady in more than 30 plays. She truly believes in taking on the life of the character. She says she lives the role, feeling the emotions of the character as if she is them. She says of Town Theatre, "It was an honor to do a play there. It also is a good theatre acoustically."

Roy Mitchell and his wife Bonnie have performed on Town Theatre's stage since his debut in the musical Brigadoon, which sparked his interest and brought him back to perform, often with his wife, for over 40 years. "I love Town Theatre," he says. He remembers working under the direction of Jim Blanton and Emmalee Robbins, and he also served on the Board of Governors as an emeritus member. He said, "You know something about acting? It's the greatest therapy in the world. You're putting yourself into another character; therefore, you are completely released from yourself."

Patsy Cline

Naomi Calvert, co-founder of the dance company, Calvert-Brodie and a performer/ choreographer said, "Town Theatre was absolutely the only place we wanted to go." She opened the dancing school in 1961 and remained very active in Town Theatre for many years. She said she was in at least one or two shows every season. She played the leading lady in Mame with her co- star, Roy Lind. She also played the role of Adelade in Guys and Dolls with Harvey Golden.

In January 1992, Town Theatre's proscenium, stage, and backstage areas were demolished to make way for major renovation. This made space for a bigger stage with a modern flyloft, an ample workship, rehearsal space, and roomier dressing rooms. Such guest directors as Allison McNeeley and Shannon Willis Scruggs have produced plays in this renovated

Brigadoon

facility such as Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, West Side Story and many others.

On Saturday, February 28 at The Medallion Center in Columbia, Town Theatre will hold a commemorative gala. It will be a seated dinner with entertainment by some of the theatre's well known performers. To purchase a ticket, please call Sandra Willis at 799-2510.