Hilberry Theatre
Hilberry Theatre | |
Field, Hinchman & Smith | |
Architectural style | Neoclassical |
---|---|
Part of | Wayne State University Buildings (ID78001524) |
Designated CP | June 23, 1978 |
The Hilberry Theatre was a 534-seat[1] auditorium located at 4743 Cass Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. Created in 1963, the Hilberry served as the theatre space for approximately 40-50 graduate students pursuing degrees in theatre fields at the Wayne State University main campus.
In December, 2022, the Hilberry closed its doors for renovations. Its successor for live theatrical performances is the adjacent Hilberry Gateway, which opened in April 2023. The Hilberry Theatre will be renovated as the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, a leading performance venue designed specifically for jazz.
History of the building
In February 1917, the First
The building was renamed the Hilberry Theatre, after Wayne State's president from 1952 to 1965, the former English professor Clarence B. Hilberry.[3] It reopened in January 1964; theatre professor Leonard Leone was instrumental in the effort.[4]
The first play performed at the Hilberry Theatre was called
In December 2022, the Hilberry Theatre closed its doors for renovations. The final play to grace the stage at the Hilberry was The Merry Wives of Windsor, an homage to the history of the building as a world class training of classic and contemporary artists.
The Hilberry is currently undergoing renovations and will soon reopen as the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, establishing a new home for Wayne State University's lauded jazz program. The theatre will undergo renovations that include a new audience chamber, acoustically designed to optimize the jazz experience, and a new seating configuration for a total of 350 seats. Renovations will also include updates to restrooms, the lobby and dressing rooms. Below the main lobby, the Valade will boast a new Underground Jazz Cafe.
Memorable productions
John Osborne's controversial drama about Martin Luther (Luther), was performed in 1972.[6] Beyond the Horizon, by Eugene O'Neill, was performed in 1995.[7]
Jerry Crawford, professor at the University of Nevada, and co-author Joan Snyder used photographs of several Hilberry productions as illustrations and examples of good performance values in their 1977 book Acting, in Person and in Style.[8] The Wayne State productions of Oedipus the King, Wild Oats, Life of Galileo, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle are included in the often-reprinted textbook.
Architecture
The Hilberry Theatre was originally constructed in 1916–1917 by the
Designed in a
On June 16, 1961, Wayne State University purchased the church building and remodeled its 60-foot stage and 1,512 seated auditorium into a 532 seated theater.
The Hilberry is currently undergoing renovations and will soon reopen as the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.
See also
References
- ^ Venues
- ^ a b "Church Edifice Also to House Speech Classes". Inside Wayne. June 21, 1961.
- ^ "Clarence B. Hilberry, 1952- 1965". Reuther Library. September 1, 2003.
- )
- ^ a b c Melanie Sobocinski; Michele Ronnick; Marlise Beaudoen (2005), Detroit and Rome: building on the past, Alfred Berkowitz Gallery, The University of Michigan-Dearborn, pp. 114–117
- ^ "Luther Players". Romulus Roman. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- OCLC 60323470.
- OCLC 22725444.
- ^ "Hilberry Theatre". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ "About the Hilberry Company". Hilberry. September 2009. Retrieved May 17, 2013.