This unique summer program, in its 40th year, provides a select group of students from throughout the country with advanced training by top theatre professionals. The result: nearly 2000 performances of 162 plays-from Shakespeare to Shepard — that have entertained over 300,000 patrons to date.

The Porthouse Theatre program made its debut in 1969 as an Elizabethan-style band of players that strolled the grounds of the year-old Blossom Music Center before and during intermissions of the Cleveland Orchestra concerts. Kent State University envisioned an educational program, national in scope, where nationally respected professional artists would serve as teacher/mentors for promising students. At the same time, the public would be exposed to an exciting array of professional caliber cultural experiences and allow student artists to interact with live audiences.

In 1970, the theatre company offered its first season of full-length productions. Performances were held in a tent in the parking lot of the construction site that would become Porthouse Theatre. Thanks to major challenge gifts from Cyril and Roberta Porthouse and Gerald and Victoria Read, the vision of Porthouse Theatre became a reality in 1971, when the 450-seat performance facility and the adjacent Read Pavilion were dedicated. In 1980, neighbors James and Betty Hudkins donated their 95-acre adjoining farm to KSU, allowing the expansion of Porthouse Theatre to its present 127 acres.

With productions ranging from standards to classics to new works, and from popular musicals to opera and operettas, the Porthouse Theatre program has earned a national reputation for outstanding, innovative performances. Porthouse Theatre has made significant contributions to the community with its outreach programs and community partnerships, raising funds and public awareness for organizations such as the King Kennedy Community Center, Stewart's Caring Place and Project Ed Bear. Porthouse students have gone on to significant performance, technical and administrative careers in theatre, film and television.

   
Cynthia R. Stillings
Director
Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance
Producing Director, Porthouse Theatre

*

The Kent State University Museum is privileged to join in the celebration of Porthouse Theatre's 40th year by showing examples of the outstanding design that has been seen at Porthouse in seasons past. I would like to thank those who took time from busy production schedules to prepare the images and objects for this exhibition, and Jim Williams, Museum Exhibits Preparator, for realizing the installation.

   
Jean L. Druesedow
Director
Kent State University Museum