Delray Beach Playhouse

With the end of World War II and the homecoming of the military service men and women, the residents of Delray Beach, Florida began their gradual return to a peacetime lifestyle. In a growing desire for cultural development in theatrical pursuits, a group of interested persons met in 1947 at St. Pauls Episcopal Church Parish Hall with willing volun... teers, including director, actors, backstage crew, ushers, and ticket sellers. That same enthusiastic volunteerism continued as the theater group moved into larger facilities at the Citys Civic Center, which had also served as the U.S.O. during the war years. With the move to a larger venue, the theater group was organized as the Little Theater of Delray Beach, which was later changed to the Delray Beach Playhouse, Inc. J. Stuart Warrington, a winter resident and long-time professional director was selected to direct the five productions during the winter season. With a permanent population of approximately 8,000, and a winter season population of about 18,000, it was advantageous to present the five productions within a tight five-month winter season schedule. Not only were the productions well-attended, but the professional direction of Mr. Warrington and the very high standards set by him were consistently upheld in performances and in technical aspects. In 1957, after years of fund-raising and dreaming of building their own theatre, the Playhouse and its members arranged to construct the original structure in the County Park at Lake Ida. Much was due to the efforts of Robert Blake, Architect, who designed the Playhouse, as well as Thomas B. Thames and King Cone, who led the fund raising effort. The actual construction involved a lot of individual energy. While the project was overseen by a qualified general contractor and two of his experienced carpenters, volunteers did much of the labor, general carpentry, painting and installation. Members willingly climbed up tall scaffolding to install pulleys in the stage ceiling, high above the stage, and on Sunday ...Read More