The Past...

The Playhouse history begins when C.C. Worthington built the playhouse in 1904 as the Worthington Hall, the Shawnee Playhouse was designed to provide entertainment and educational benefit to residents and visitors of Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania. The Shawnee Players, consisting mainly of local actors and actresses, performed here to enthusiastic audiences from 1904 to World War II. In 1943, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians began to broadcast their famous radio programs from the Hall. Unfortunately, the Hall later fell into disuse.

When the Kirkwood family purchased the Resort in 1978, they began to restore Worthington Hall. Neighbors and members of the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company also worked on the restoration. Thanks to extensive efforts led by Mrs. Virginia Kirkwood, the Hall was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places and won the prestigious Phoenix Award, presented by the Society of American Travel Writers.

On June 24, 1985, an arsonist burned the beautiful Shawnee Playhouse down. With a great deal of help from the people of Shawnee on Delaware, the Seabees, the Hughes Foundation, the National endowment for the Arts, The National Trust, a Community Development Block Grant, and generous donations from many individuals and friends, the Shawnee Playhouse was rebuilt. The Kirkwood family is very proud of the Shawnee Playhouse and its history, and they hope you enjoy your experience in this historic building.

The Present...
Executive Director Midge McClosky

2007 has been a year of change. At first glance, it’s easy to see the obvious improvements (the new auditorium seating, handicap ramp and brick walkway) but there have also been several, more subtle, structural changes. Our gorgeous clock tower was repaired. Our lower level was converted into a rehearsal space to help accommodate our hectic summer repertory schedule. This included the addition of a sump pump, new lower level window wells, stage curtains and the re-bricking of several areas in the foundation. Backstage, both dressing rooms were remodeled and several leakage areas were repaired, including a large section of the roof.

We made numerous creative changes, as well. In July we debuted our Black Box Theatre. This intimate style of theatre focused more on the writing and the acting and used minimal sets and props. This addition proved so successful that we will be continuing our Black Box Style plays next year as part of our “Second Stage” theatre.

In September we launched the S.T.A.R.S. program. The Shawnee Theatrical Arts Resource School helped 48 students, ages (4-13) learn about acting and musical theatre through music, creative role-play, improvisation, theatre games and script memorization, culminating in a performance for their friends and family at the end of the six-week session. This pilot program was a great success. We will be continuing with two sessions this spring.

2008 will bring even more change. A new, more efficient, heating and cooling unit has been purchased and will be installed in January, allowing us to truly become a YEAR ROUND theatre! Because of this, we have revamped our season ticket program. We now have three levels to chose from: Gold, Silver or Bronze. And…a new movie projector and screen have been installed! Starting in January, we will be showing classic movies here at the Playhouse every Monday night.

The NEW Shawnee Playhouse

Shawnee Playhouse Backstage

 
The Shawnee Inn