History
Walnut Street Theatre is the oldest theatre in America. It stands alone as the only theatre operating continuously as a theatre since it opened in 1809.
View a timeline of important milestones in The Walnut's history!
1809–1880s
Through its early years, Walnut Street Theatre went through many changes.
In 1809, it opened as The New Circus and hosted equestrian acts. A few years
later, an 80-foot dome was added to the theatre, making it the highest
structure in the city at the time. In 1811, English architect Williams
Strickland designed a stage and pit for theatrical performances, which were
then added to the building. The theatre was renamed The Olympic. In 1812, a
production of The Rivals was the first theatrical production staged
here.
In 1820, the name was changed to Walnut Street Theatre and the building was converted to a legitimate theatre. In 1822, the interior of the theatre was restored to that of a circus and the name of the theatre was changed back to The Olympic. In 1828, the name of the theatre was changed back to Walnut Street Theatre and John Haviland, the most prominent architect of his day, designed major renovations to the interior and exterior of the building. The present façade is based on his original design.
During the 1880s, the Walnut experienced many renovations, including a new stage for more elaborate musical comedies. In 1892, the Walnut was wired for electricity, which it used for chandeliers and footlights. In 1903 some rebuilding was done to the interior space, designed by architect Willis Hale. In 1920, the interior was again rebuilt within the old exterior using structural steel in a design by William H. Lee.
1941-1969
From 1941 to 1969, Walnut Street Theatre was owned by the Shubert Organization and was the site of numerous pre-Broadway tryouts and world premieres, including A Streetcar Named Desire with Marlon Brando (1947), Mr. Roberts starring Henry Fonda (1948), Gigi with Audrey Hepburn (1951), The Diary of Anne Frank with Susan Strasburg (1955), A Raisin in the Sun starring Sidney Poitier (1959) and A Man For All Seasons starring Paul Scofield (1961).
1969-1983
In 1969, a non-profit corporation was formed to purchase and renovate the theatre. This led to the preservation of the 19th century facade just as it appeared on Walnut Street in 1828. Through the 1970's, Walnut Street Theatre became mainly a performing arts center that hosted programs produced by other organizations.
By 1983, it was clear that this approach was not economically feasible. A new direction would have to be tried or Walnut Street Theatre, after 173 years, would have to close.
Clearly, the Walnut had arrived at a crossroads. Never in its history had it been so threatened with extinction. A number of community leaders, led by Ed Rome, made a decision to search for a new Executive Director. After a nationwide search, Bernard Havard was interviewed and persuaded the Board to return the Walnut to a producing theatre. Havard was hired and a full season of plays was produced on the Mainstage during the 1983-84 season.
1983 - Present
With vision and inspirational leadership, Walnut Street Theatre was reconceived as a non-profit regional theatre dedicated to the preservation and development of the art of theatre. This distinction sets Walnut Street Theatre apart from most of its similarly-sized peers in the region which are commercial theatres formed to return a profit to their owners. They do not produce their own plays, but simply present productions that have originated elsewhere. As a non-profit theatre, the Walnut chooses and produces its own productions, handcrafted right here in Philadelphia. It does this not to make a profit, but to entertain, enlighten and educate the people of the Delaware Valley and to preserve this historic landmark's legacy.
The Walnut Street Theatre Today
Since 1983, Walnut Street Theatre has produced over 200 plays, including 28 world premieres and 11 American premieres.
The Walnut Street Theatre School was established in 1984 and has provided theatre instruction, self-improvement and a deepened appreciation of the art form through its Outreach Programs and classes to over 95,000 children and adults annually.
The Studio 3 series was initiated in 1985 to provide more adventurous theatre experiences and to broaden the scope of theatre produced by the Walnut. In 1997, through a grant from the Independence Foundation, the theatre was renovated to become the Independence Studio on 3.
Additionally, Walnut Street Theatre has supported the local arts community, acting as an incubator for other theatre companies in the early stages of their development. Indeed, the measure of success at Walnut Street Theatre can be taken not only by the full houses that enjoy programs on its Mainstage, but also by the attendance at other theatre and performing arts venues throughout our community. A study conducted by Ziff Marketing commissioned by the Pew Charitable Trust identified Walnut Street Theatre as “an entry point for a large prospect market interested in attending the theatre in the Philadelphia area.”
Philadelphians and diverse audiences from across the Greater Philadelphia Region have rallied to the Walnut. Subscription audiences have grown from 0 in 1982 to over 50,000 today. Annual attendance exceeds 350,000, making Walnut Street Theatre a critical link between the City's commercial center and the historic district.
Walnut Street Theatre is more than just a historic structure with an illustrious past. It is today a vital living part of Philadelphia's art scene—a place where our community comes together to celebrate and understand who we are, a place to gain new perspectives of ourselves and others through the living art of theatre. Today, Walnut Street Theatre is widely regarded as one of America's most successful regional theatres. Its subscription audience is the largest of any regional theatre company in the world. Walnut Street Theatre employs over 600 people, and with a balanced budget of nearly $12 million annually, Walnut Street Theatre's economic impact is estimated at over $25 million.
