Dover Little Theatre

DOVER LITTLE THEATRE

ACT I - The Early Years

 

Time: 8:00 p.m. of a summer evening, June 15, 1933

Cast: 40 theatre-minded people of the Dover area

Scene: Council Chambers of Dover Municipal Building

 

The meeting was sponsored by the Woman's Club of Dover, whose President, Grace Boll, was elected chairman. Mrs. Boll explained that the meeting was called to consider the organization of a theatre group, and introduced Ruth Bennett, chairman of the Art and Drama Committee, who stated that it was an opportune time while Ruth Beth Watts was available as director. Miss Watts and Franklin Heller, both of whom had college and "little theatre" experience, answered questions about the operation of a theatre group. The response was enthusiastic, and it was decided to go forward. A nominating committee was appointed and the next meeting scheduled for June 27 at the North Side School.

 

The second meeting had 70 people in attendance, and DLT began its active life. Ruth Beth Watts and Franklin Heller were appointed to prepare a one-act play for the next meeting. A committee to find a home for the theatre was put in charge of Lt. Comdr. Samuel Chiles. A constitution was adopted, and it was decided to charge dues of $2.00 per year to active members, and $5.00 a year for honorary members who would be entitled to two tickets for each performance. This was, after all, during the depression.

 

While the search for a theatre continued, meetings and performances were held in the high school. The first public production was a three-act comedy, "Ladies of the Jury" directed by Miss Watts, which was well received. The scenery was built by a crew under the direction of Mr. Heller in a barn owned by Meyer Friedman. Tickets were sold by the Sally Shoppe and the Royal Market on Blackwell Street.

 

The second play was an old-time melodrama called "Gold in the Hills or the Dead Sister's Secret". Variety entertainment between acts included old-time favorites sung by members of the cast, a quartet under the direction of Edwards Venner, and several dancers. Peanuts were sold from the aisles.

 

The next play was the first to be presented in the new theatre, "Lady Windermere's Fan", by Oscar Wilde. The first season closed with a membership of 115. In addition to its three full-length plays, several one-act plays had also been presented under direction of different members. The theatre was firmly established and growing, as shown by the statistics for the second season: a membership of 168; four three-act plays; forty one-act plays (including three originals) given not only at monthly meetings but also for various social clubs and community projects; a Christmas pantomime which became an annual affair; and three one-act play contests consisting of three plays each. Publication of a monthly bulletin named "The Curtain Call" was started. DLT invited groups from other community theatres to its meetings. It participated in the "Little Theatre of the Air" contest on radio station WOR in Newark, being one of twelve chosen out of fifty-four competing groups.

 

Another feature of the early productions was between-the-acts music, first by the Homa String Quartette, and later by the Little Theatre String Ensemble under the direction of Norman Goldblatt. Through succeeding years, DLT was a leader in community drama in northwest New Jersey. It was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Theatre League, with the first meeting being held in Dover, and the steering committee having Romeyn Utley as chairman and Madalyn Fick as secretary.

 

It would be impossible to compile a list of all the talented people who contributed toward the success of the Dover Little Theatre. Mention must be made, however, of the charter members who, under the direction of Ruth Beth Watts, created an institution that would continue through the years to entertain thousands upon thousands of people. Charter members on records are as follows: Adelaide B. Alpers, Kenneth E. Alpers, Helen Thorn Andrews, Kathryn Angle, Olie Angle, C.J. Bain, Margaret P. Baker, Ruth H. Bennett, Grace Richards Boll, Jane Lynd Booser, Roswell S. Bowlby, Mrs. Roswell S. Bowlby, Frances W. Chiles, Samuel Chiles, Anna C. Colberg, William Costello, Garrett deGrange, Marguerite deGrange, William P. Doerre, Cyrus G. Dunkle, Elsa F. Ely, Jacob J. Eruland, Dan G. Fichter, Prethynnia W. Fichter, Minerva Freeman, Abner R. Friedland, Gerson G. Friedman, Sally Friedman, Hattye Harris, Franklin M. Heller, Max Heller, Agnes L. Hosking, E.V. Jordan, J.W. King, Russell Y. King, Gerald R. Lansing, E.W. Larsen, Rose F. Larsen, M.A. Lash, Anna J. Mackerley, Madalyn E. Moore, Mary R. Munson, Dolores Nerney, Margaret D. Nerney, Sadie M. Petty, Ellis G. Philhower, Laura J. Philhower, A.J. Phillips, Mary Anna Reed, Carl G. Scheibner, Ruth L. Schiffman, Dorothy M. Shuler, John Sommerville, H. Russell Stanton, Betty L. Strauss, Pierre Varrato, Ida M. Watts, Frank A. Watts, Ruth Beth Watts, Elise Ely Whiton, R.M. Wildrick, Tecla Wildrick and E.J. Wolfe.

 

DOVER LITTLE THEATRE

ACT 2 - Our Theatre Building

 

Time: 1933 - 1942

Cast: Numerous Theatre Enthusiasts of the Morris Area

Scene: An abandoned undertaker's establishment at the end of Elliott Street...

 

The search for a theatre seemed to cover every empty barn, store, shop and warehouse in the area. Then Miss Watts discovered an abandoned undertaker's establishment, including morgue and stable, on Elliott Street. Reports persist that one of the bodies that had been "in repose" at the morgue was one of the circus Ringling Brothers who had an estate at what is now Lake Swannanoa, and this was the building's first association with "show business". Later the structure was used for storage of automobiles and machinery. At the time, the main floor was piled to the ceiling with metal frames which had to be discarded. The appearance of the interior, with its soiled floors, discolored walls and cobweb-draped windows was most discouraging, but Miss Watts saw only a theatre!

 

A deal was made with owners Whitford Gillen and Theodore Young for a rental of $15.00 per month, and a lease was signed. Members rallied with scrubbing and painting, and within a few days a housewarming was given in the form of a "Hayseeder's Ball" with a CWA orchestra and an "old-timer" who called out the Virginia Reel and other dances. This raised $50.00 for the construction of a stage.

 

As reported by Eleanor Brigham Shattuck in the book "Curtains Going Up" by Albert McCleery and Carl Glick: "All hands set to work to dig out cobwebs, seal up doors, open new doorways, tear out walls, build up partitions, paint the plaster and brick work, lay flooring at a slight angle, make a greenroom, a lobby, dressing rooms, and best of all, a modern stage. The dressing rooms were build in the basement out of old horse stalls." The Dover Advance reported that "with amateur carpenters and painters making the sets, others (were) making and hanging the curtains and other draperies, and still others raiding the attics all over town for furniture and properties." It seems some things never change! Folding chairs for the early productions were borrowed from local funeral parlors, which seemed consistent with the building's background. They were uncomfortable and bothersome; however, this problem was solved in 1935, when the theatre was able to purchase auditorium seats discarded by the Dover High School.

After about six years of renting, Max Heller, a charter member active in real estate, called to say that the building was up for sheriff's sale for $1,000.00. Miss Watts went to his office and while she sat there he telephoned ten people who each contributed $100.00. In 25 minutes, Dover Little Theatre became owner of the cozy, intimate playhouse that is our home today. The year, 1942.