Missituk Players’ Hall - 604 Crane St
This small brick building has narrowly avoided being condemned for the last twenty five years. Formerly the property of the Grewe family, the building was donated to the University Medical School in 1919 to house a new department of dentistry. Inspectors found that the rat infested house was structurally too weak for such use, and the property was condemned. The University and the Grewes could not agree who should pay for the demolition, and the property sat empty for another decade as a result.
In 1931 the budding campus theatrical group happened upon the house. After some enthusiastic lobbying the Grewes allowed the University Players to use the structure as long as it remained standing. A small army of volunteers effected enthusiastic (if somewhat crude) repairs and renovations, and in 1932 the house became the unofficial theatre department’s headquarters.
The University Players conduct all of their rehearsals and a few of their performances here. Larger shows are performed in the auditorium under Locksley Hall or in New Jerusalem’s Manley Theatre. The players also use the building for prop and costume storage. A small sign reading “Department of Dentistry” is still visible through a front window. Some of the less culturally inclined students at Missituk have taken the sign as wry editorial commentary on the quality of the plays presented, comparing the players’ performances to having teeth pulled.
Type
University / Educational complex
Parent Location
Owning Organization
Comments