In the Beginning...
Welcome from A (attic) to Z (zoning) to our look back at the perfect evenings and matinees held at the Gilbert Theater. How many did you see or work on? As I freshly look over the twenty-five plus years of Gilbert "welcomings", I'm reminded of a dozen different ways we have done just that.The house theater days at 647 Brandts Lane, 1994-2002 were a unique kind of welcome, a rapidly turning kaleidoscope breaking ground, tradition, and backs. We made do with cheap chairs that did not collapse, struggled with correct temperatures floor to floor, placed invitations via post cards which read, "You are invited to a Theater Party", cast years of side-glances at zoning regs, agonized over where to park, and often more importantly, where not to park, delicately gave attire suggestions so folks did not arrive, turn around, and go home. When site lines (play-going bugaboos for centuries) required me to separate tall and short patrons if need be in that small space, I was challenged only once. I later sat the same patron behind a tall person. Mean? Yes, but who could resist?
The house was completely given over to show production. Imagine it if you will, as I give you a brief tour. Attic: props and costumes, Third Floor: restrooms, Main Floor: Lobby with fireplace crackling, Dining Room: drinks. The play space was at ground level, boxy and black. The house manager stood at the door greeting patrons and guiding them to one of the forty seats, finely-tuned to maximize the space. Outside the Gilbert Garden Theater gate welcomed one-hundred and twenty patrons onto its natural slope, a beautiful setting with hovering elms shading beds of flowers. Patrons arrived with wine, cheese, and laughter. Welcoming indeed!
When the setting was in place and patrons turned to the main event, the reason for all the above, it was story time.
I am proud to offer all the material you are about to scroll through. I believe it honors our mission and most importantly welcomes you as perhaps a first timer to appreciate our choices, or to grasp our hand and heart once more. You will be finding programs (perhaps with your own name or a neighbor's), previewing and reviewing clippings, and seeing photos both candid and on stage. In other words, ephemeral treasures that are so often lost to a company's history. All are now saved here or in beautiful binders found in the theater library. So, you are indeed welcome to dig-in!
