The Old Globe

The Old Globe is a renowned regional theatre company located in San Diego, California, with a storied history and significant contributions to the performing arts community. The theatre was originally constructed in 1935 to present abridged versions of William Shakespeare's plays as part of the California Pacific International Exposition. Following the exposition's conclusion in 1937, the San Diego Community Theatre, a non-profit producing corporation, took over the lease of the theatre and its adjacent buildings from the City of San Diego. This arrangement allowed for the renovation and ongoing use of the theatre.\n\nOn December 2, 1937, the Old Globe Theatre reopened with a production of \"The Distaff Side\" by John Van Druten, featuring Craig Noel, who would become a pivotal figure in the theatre's development over the next five decades. In 1969, the adjacent Falstaff Tavern was transformed into the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, a 225-seat venue dedicated to new and experimental theatre.\n\nTragedy struck on March 8, 1978, when an arson fire destroyed the Old Globe Theatre. However, other facilities, including the administrative offices and the Cassius Carter Centre Stage, were spared. The need for a performance space for the upcoming San Diego National Shakespeare Festival led to the construction of the Festival Stage, an outdoor theatre that later won awards.\n\nThe theatre's board of directors declared the Globe a year-round professional company in January 1981, marking the beginning of significant growth. The new 580-seat Old Globe Theatre opened in 1982 with Shakespeare's \"As You Like It.\" After another arson fire in 1984, the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, with 620 seats, was built in 1985.\n\nIn 2006, The Old Globe initiated a five-year, $75 million capital and endowment campaign to enhance its long-term stability. This campaign included increasing the endowment, creating new facilities, and securing funding for annual programs. The stage of the Old Globe Theatre was named after Donald and Darlene Shiley in recognition of their $20 million contribution. The Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, featuring the new Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and other facilities, was unveiled in 2009.\n\nThe Old Globe has a distinguished reputation for producing acclaimed productions, with over 20 shows transferring to Broadway and Off-Broadway, earning 13 Tony Awards and numerous nominations. In 1984, the theatre received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. The Old Globe is a cultural cornerstone in San Diego, producing 15 shows annually across various genres, including the family favorite \"Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.\" With an operating budget of around $30 million, it is one of the city's largest arts institutions and a top-ranked regional theatre in the United States, drawing more than 250,000 attendees each year.\n\nFor further details on The Old Globe's rich 80-year history, interested readers can refer to Darlene Davies's article in Ranch & Coast Magazine, titled \"80 Years in the Making.\" The theatre's commitment to the arts is supported by The Theodor and Audrey Geisel Fund and is recognized for its transparency by GuideStar and Charity Navigator.\n\nThe Old Globe continues to make a significant impact on the theatre world, both regionally and nationally, through its dedication to high-quality productions and its extensive arts engagement programs.