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© U. Grant Miller Library. Materials are from the Learned T. Bulman '48 Historic Archives and Museum. See more collections in our Digital Archive at http://cdm16065.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/. For more information on this and other collections, contact us at 724-223-6070 or email us at asklib@washjeff.edu. To visit the U. Grant Miller Library Homepage, visit http://libguides.washjeff.edu/home. -
The Olin Fine Arts Center
For over thirty years, the Olin Fine Arts Center has stood as Washington and Jefferson College's artistic and cultural center. This display highlights one aspect of the rich history of the Center: the dramatic arts. For the first time, that history is displayed for the W&J community. This timeline illustrates the evolution that the W&J artistic community has undergone in that regard.. Most of this material can be found in its original form in the Olin Fine Arts Center Collection. -
Construction of the Olin Fine Arts Center
In 1981, the finishing touches on the building were completed, to mark the grand opening of the Olin Fine Arts Center of Washington and Jefferson College! -
Lane Merrill Named First Director
Lane Merrill, who had joined Washington and Jefferson in 1969, was named the first director of the Olin Fine Arts Center. Much like everyone else on campus, Merrill was excited to get productions started on the new stage. He called for a "nucleus of students and others" to provide the necessary support to get shows up and running. -
The Olin Fine Arts Center Dedication
The dedication of the Olin Fine Arts Center took place on May 27th, 1982. This marked the true beginning of the Olin. Included in the program for the event was this artistic rendition of the Center. -
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The premiere production of the Center Stage Players, "The Man Who Came to Dinner" was the comedic start to the successful history of the Olin Fine Arts Center. -
The Center Stage Players
This group of actors and actresses was not necessarily affiliated with the College, but made good use of the Olin stage. With participants from throughout the state of Pennsylvania and beyond, the Center Stage Players allowed for a wide variety of acting talent to leave their mark on the W&J stage. Every summer season, the Players would take the stage and put on performances for W&J as well as the surrounding community. -
Night Must Fall
The third and final play of the summer season of 1982, "Night Must Fall" was a mystery melodrama about a charismatic killer which charmed his way into a family. This play sparked controversy between the Observer-Reporter and readers: not for the theme, but for the acting and pacing. After publishing a not-so-glowing review of the play, a reader wrote in to defend both the play and Olin itself. -
A Warm Welcome
A welcoming message, printed in the "Night Must Fall" program, highlighted the excitement of the W&J and Washington communities. The addition of the Olin Fine Arts Center as well as a summer theater program presented new possibilities for cultural growth in the area. -
Night Must Fall: A Closer Look
Here is a publicity shot of the play "Night Must Fall". The dramatic tension of the scene comes through this image, even more than 30 years later. -
Feiffer's People, Crawling Arnold, and The Hard Boiled Egg
An early student performance on the Olin Stage, this was actually a collection of three short plays produced for Parents' Weekend. -
Students Work Behind Stage
"The Country Wife", a musical production performed by the Acting Company, presented students with a unique opportunity to work behind the scenes with a professional acting group. -
Looking for a Rooster?
Humans weren't the only ones taking the stage in the plays at the newly built Olin. In one play, "The Silver Whistle", a live rooster was requested to weave a convincing tale for 1983 audiences. -
The Boyfriend
This musical set in the 1920's gave students a chance to show off their singing and dancing skills on the Olin Stage. -
The Course of True Love
Other student groups on campus were eager to display their own individual interests on the new Olin stage. The Franklin Literary Society utilized the stage in their own unique way: to showcase the work of William Shakespeare and the talent of Denise Huot. -
The Amorous Flea
"The Amorous Flea" was a musical comedy based on Moliere's "School for Wives". It was described as raucous, outrageous, zany, and ribald by the Observer-Reporter. Here you can see the actors trying to fulfill these descriptions! -
Count Dracula
Unlike the professional productions which visited the Washington and Jefferson College stage, the W&J student theater group did not have a large publicity budget. Using what was available to them, with a little bit of creativity, allowed them to create a wonderful aesthetic for their programs and posters. -
The Waltz of the Toreadors
A marital farce set in 1910 in French Morocco, this fast-paced production certainly made the actors sweat. While this photograph does not do it justice, it was said that it was complete with "a lavish setting and lush colorful period costumes", on top of being well-acted. -
UTBU
Extra, extra! Read all about this creative program design made for the comedy "Unhealthy to be Unpleasant". -
A Letter from the President Burnett
It is always nice to get a glowing review. Even more so from the College President himself! -
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Based on the novel by Carson McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" looks at humor and pathos in the eternal search for love. It combined sign language and spoken English in a unique style, enabling audiences to see and hear every word. At the time, critics praised it as "sculpture in the air". Certainly, the Olin boasted a stage on which many different forms of art were appreciated. -
Handy Dandy
This two character play was able to make good use of the promotional photography, utilizing black and white to create a striking image. -
Once in a Lifetime
A satire following the misadventures of a vaudevillian team coping with the advent of speech in movies, this play was performed by the plucky student theater group on Parents' Weekend, 1987. -
Dark of the Moon
This performance, described as "entirely a creation of the students" by the director William Cameron, gave students the freedom not only to show off their acting abilities, but allowed them to create each sound effect, stage prop, and major feature of the play. -
Little Mary Sunshine
This is the poster, created for the production of "Little Mary Sunshine", performed by W&J's finest. The childlike design of the poster belies the gentleness of this parody of old-fashioned musicals. -
Max Morath: Living a Ragtime Life
Creator of two award-winning PBS series, "Ragtime Era" and "Turn of the Century", Max Morath brought his ragtime style to the Olin Stage. He was so enamored by his stay, he left this autographed copy of the program to show his appreciation. -
Diary of Anne Frank
The W&J students tackled this classic and moving play for audiences in 1988. -
Once Upon a Mattress
Yet another example of a hand-drawn program created by the W&J Student Theater. This charming design was used to promote the musical adaptation of "The Princess and Pea". -
Playwright Mary Gail to William Cameron
This letter is from Mary Gail, the author of "Planet of the Mutagens", as she contacts William Cameron for the first time regarding the Basic Issues Forum play writing contest. Her play would go on to take first prize! -
Grease is the Word
Students here can be seen practicing for the popular musical "Grease" in the Observer-Reporter. -
Brighton Beach Memoirs
In this comedy/drama by Neil Simon, the Center Stage Players depicted the polarity that can exist between the different generations and sexes. This publicity shot for the play depicts the elaborate set on which the actors performed. -
Brighton Beach Memoirs Advertisement
An example of an advertisement in the "Observer-Reporter". Many ads like this were placed for Center Stage Player productions, each with their own individual graphic design. -
Mary Gail Acceptance Letter
Here is the letter from playwright Mary Gail, accepting the prize from the Basic Issues Forum first place winner of the play writing contest. Her play, "Planet of the Mutagens" would later be performed on the Olin stage. -
Planet of the Mutagens
This is the winning entry for the play writing contest of The Basic Issues Forum, "Dominion Over the Earth". After a nationwide search, this play was selected by a panel of distinguished playwrights and directors to be shown on the Olin stage for the worldwide premiere. The play itself follows a teenage linguist-savant's attempts to translate the speech of the spontaneously evolved Mutagens. -
The Basic Issues Forum: Dominion Over the Earth
The Basic Issue Forum, started in 1985, was an event which attempted to look at basic issues of human life, such as theology, the nature of humanity, and the meaning of life. Through gathering the best available thinking on these subjects, this Forum sought to create a sense of global community, to bridge the gaps between humankind. This particular forum reviewed the exhortation: "Thou shalt have dominion over the Earth", but questioned whether the results of such dominion was desirable. -
R.U.R.
This production, also called "Rossumovi Univerzální Roboti (Rossum’s Universal Robots)", was a popular 1920's science-fiction play. The creation of robots leads to mankind's downfall in this dark, yet strangely hopeful play. The themes of creation and place of humanity were tackled by this production. -
Odd Couple
The director of this performance, Barry Wood, felt a strong connection to this play. Though a classic by this point, our production was still "witty and relevant", as is expected of a good comedy. -
Another Fan Letter
This play goer was so pleased with the performance they witnessed at the Olin Fine Arts Center, they sent a letter to let everyone there know! -
Biloxi Blues
Life in the military can be rough, but it can also have its lighter moments. The world of the military man is showcased in this Neil Simon play, one of three autobiographical plays Simon wrote about his life. The actors were praised for their performances, especially the veracity of their acting. -
Buttercup
A play that looks at the devastating effects of wide-spread hysteria on a community, "Buttercup" is a story about the "wages of panic", according to the director Scott Frank. -
Works in Progress
"Works in Progress" was a festival of seven student-written and produced plays. The festival allowed for many different genres to take the stage. Showcased were two comedies ("Wrong Foot Forward" and "Taking the Lower East Side'), a romance ("On the Nature of Love"), a drama ("Trying to Own the Sky"), and several plays which reside between genres ("Goosestep at Midnight", "When Will We Three Meet Again"? and "Speak the Speech I Pray You..."). -
Rimers of Eldritch
A successful screen printed program, whose visually appealing manner catches the eye even today. -
The Battle of Shallowford
In October of 1938, a dramatic reading of "War of the Worlds" over radio broadcast sent the nation into a panic. This play takes place in a small town, where the residents await the arrival of the alien race. -
The Battle Over Shallowford: A Closer Look
Look, up in the sky! A publicity shot for "The Battle of Shallowford"! -
Tartuffe
A much anticipated spring play, performed by the talented W&J Student Theater. -
Getting Out
W&J Students tackled this moving and energetic piece in the Fall of 2000. -
Mum Puppettheatre: From the Ashes
Robert Smythe (the author) and the Mum Puppetheatre of Philadelphia brought their unique, award-winning production to the Olin audiences, entrancing them with a production of movement and music. No words were spoken during the play, which allowed anyone around the world to experience it. Robert Smythe himself acted during the W&J performance. -
The Laramie Project
There are times when the theater creates such an emotional response that the community is forced to look back upon their own lives. "The Laramie Project" elicited such a response. The emotionally charged play was performed skillfully by the student cast, as they made it their goal to capture the truth of the characters they were portraying. One columnist at the Observer-Reporter listed this performance as "one of the year's best", highlighting the care the actors had for their roles. -
Lysistrata
This comedy follows a group of women in 5th Century Athens, all from opposing Greek city-states, who plan to put a stop to the Peloponnesian War. Director Karin Maresh chose the play due to the large number of females in the W&J Student Theater Company and the need for a comedy. The student cast was able to provide laughs and some introspection in this classic play. -
The Orchard
An adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard", this production updated the tale of one family's misfortune and inability to change throughout time. The setting was moved from Russia to the hills of Western Pennsylvania, making it all the more relevant to the audience in Washington. -
2008-2009 Schedule of Events
Here is the design for the 2008-2009 Olin Fine Arts Center schedule. This eye-catching design enticed theatergoers to discover all the wonderful events, which included dancing, art, and theater. -
Tim Mooney, the Man Behind Moliere
This article, first published in the magazine "Good Times", highlights Tim Mooney, the creative presence behind "Moliere Than Thou", a play which took place on the Olin stage on October 23rd. -
Moliere Than Thou
This performance was a celebration of Moliere, highlighting not only his talent, but his comedic influence in Western literature. Tim Mooney appears as Moliere himself - and is the only one to appear. In this one man show, Mooney as Moliere performs the greatest hits, taking the audience on a journey through Moliere's career. -
A Varied Lineup
Here is an example of the variety of programming offered throughout the years at Olin. This variety also showcases the talent of the W&J Student Theatre Company, whose members were able to act in a classic such as "A Streecar Named Desire" as well as an irreverent and quirky play such as "Some things you need to know before the world ends". -
Love @ First Plight
This play, written by student Drew Aloe, not only premiered at the Olin Fine Arts Center, but was also the first W&J production selected to be performed at the Region 2 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. In W&J Magazine, Aloe described his play as "a romantic comedy about four college students and what might happen if Shakespearian plot devices were imposed on their lives." -
Stop Kiss
Seen here is the program for "Stop Kiss", a play which tells the story of two young women who find themselves unexpectedly attracted to one another. However, their first kiss provokes a violent attack which transforms their lives. According to director Bill Cameron, one reason this play was chosen was to provoke a discussion about issues surrounding homosexuality. -
30th Anniversary of the Olin Fine Arts Center
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Thirty Years of Olin
To celebrate the thirty years of plays, music, and art, the 2011-2012 season at the Olin focused on the "Greatest Hits"; the productions that were the most exciting and crowd-pleasing from all thirty years. -
Old and New
"Vanities", a production from 1994, was brought back to the stage for new audiences as part of the "Greatest Hits" season. "The Pledge" was brought to audiences for the first time. The juxtaposition of these plays, not only showcasing different time periods of writing but also of setting, provided a striking example of the diversity found on the Olin stage. -
The Ruby Sunrise
The Red & Black reports that "The Ruby Sunrise", a historical fiction play centered around the invention of television and women's societal roles from the 1920s to the 1950s, blew away the crowd with an amazing performance. It was performed with alley seating, meaning that the audience was on both sides of the performers. -
Much Ado About Nothing
Bringing this classic to the Olin stage, the American Shakespeare Center performed "Much Ado About Nothing" for W&J audiences in 2014. -
Eye of God
Would you have thought Delmar from the film "O, Brother, Where Art Thou?" (aka Mr. Pendanski from the film "Holes") was a playwright? Tim Blake Nelson, the author of this play, created a drama that centers around issues of faith, exploring how tragedy can affect one's belief. -
Intersect
One of the most recent items on the timeline, "Intersect" provides an interesting addition to the Olin's history. William Cameron, professor of communication arts, collaborated with eight students, using their real life stories of hardships and successes to craft this deeply personal play. Not only did it take audiences on a journey through the lives of the students who shared their stories, it took them on a journey into the heart of W&J itself. -
La Ronde
Finally, we have the upcoming production "La Ronde". This interwoven story depicts love in many ways. Audiences can expect some surprises and updates in this production. The teamwork of the Communication Arts Department, and heavy involvement of students also mirrors the history of collaboration that has been evident since its construction. Thanks to the Olin, all these plays and more have been available to students, faculty, and the community of Washington. We look forward for what is to come!
