Ivoryton Playhouse

Specialties

The Ivoryton Playhouse is a unique theatre with a rich cultural history. Built in 1911, the Ivoryton Playhouse is the oldest, continuously running, self-​supporting summer theater in the nation having hosted some of the great names of the American stage including Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Helen Hayes, and Tallulah Bankhead. The Ivoryton Playhouse now produces a year-​round professional season of musicals, comedies and dramas as well as summer children’s theatre and many special events.

History

Established in 1911.

Often referred to as «a little known jewel on the Connecticut shoreline,» the Ivoryton Playhouse is a unique theater with a fascinating history. Built in 1911 as a recreation hall for the workers for the Comstock-​Cheney factory, the building hosted silent movies, dances, town meetings, and vaudeville shows. In 1930, under the direction of Milton Stiefel, the theater became summer home of most of the great names of the American stage including Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Helen Hayes, and Tallulah Bankhead. The Ivoryton Playhouse is the oldest, continuously running, self-​supporting summer theater in the nation. Due to the generosity of many public and private contributors, the building has changed dramatically in recent years. In 2001, the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation began a total renovation of the building which included state-​of-​the-​art theatrical sound and lighting systems. The Ivoryton Playhouse now produces a full now produces a year-​round professional season.

Meet the Manager

Jacqueline H.

Manager

Jacqueline Hubbard, Artistic/​Executive Director of the Ivoryton Playhouse, has spent the best part of the last twenty four years at the Ivoryton Playhouse; in 1991 she became a member of the Board and since 2000 she has been its Executive/​Artistic Director. She has directed over 65 productions at Ivoryton including Steel Magnolias, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Amadeus, The Glass Menagerie, Wait until Dark, The Miracle Worker. Acting credits include Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Katerina in Taming of the Shrew; Maureen in The Beauty Queen of Leenane; Stepping Out and Shirley Valentine. Regional theatre appearances include US — Tampa Playmakers; City Lights and Savannah Theatre Company; UK — Leeds Playhouse, Crucible, Dovecote.