Hilberry Theatre (Wayne State University) Informations

The Hilberry Theatre is located at 4743 Cass Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. At this location, 40-50 graduate students are employed at the Wayne State University main campus. The students are pursuing master of fine arts degrees in acting, directing, theatre management, costuming or design management. Created in 1963, the Hilberry Theatre is the oldest graduate repertory company in the United States. The Hilberry Theatre puts on roughly six different plays, both modern and classic, from October through May each year.

In February 1917, the First Church of Christ Scientist was built on the corner of Cass Avenue and Hancock Street, in the heart of Midtown Detroit. The Christian Scientists of Detroit were a growing community in need of a location to hold their services. The building held up to 1,512 members and included a 60-foot stage and 22 rooms. Later on in 1961, it was purchased and remodeled by Wayne State University. Wayne State purchased the building now housing the Hilberry Theatre for $250,000, which included a $25,000 down payment. The building was officially owned by the university on June 15, 1961.

After many renovations, the building was renamed the Hilberry Theatre, after Wayne State's fourth president, Clarence B. Hilberry, and reopened in January 1964. There is now a bronze bust (sculpture) of Clarence Hilberry in the main lobby of the theatre in honor of his accomplishments. The first play performed at the Hilberry Theatre was called Shakespeare 400, in honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. Today, the Hilberry Theatre is one of three different historic buildings now used for classes by Wayne State students. The Hilberry is also considered to be one of the best training grounds for new and upcoming actors/actresses and directors in the area.

The Hilberry Theatre was originally constructed in 1916-17 by the architectural firm Field, Hinchman and Smith as the First Church of Christ Scientist.

Designed in a Neoclassical architecture and Ionic style, the Hilberry is a low rise building with an estimated height of 41.55 feet and consists of two floors, as well as a basement. The Hilberry has an Ionic style colonnade on the exterior of the building facing Hancock Street and its masonry is made to resemble that of marble. The exterior door frames are surrounded in classical moldings and the facade facing Cass Avenue is designed in similar manner and serves as the main entrance to the theatre.

On June 16, 1961, Wayne State University purchased the church building and remodeled its 60-foot stage and 1,512 seated auditorium into a 532 seated theater. The open stage theatre was designed using a Roman and Elizabethan approach. A traditional stage with backdrop and doors, a center performance stage, and elevated area surrounding the seating area. The theatre opened in 1964 to house a graduate repertory company.

Graduate theatre students pursuing a degree in acting, management, and design become part of a three-year program in which they receive training from a professional staff providing the tools to receive their graduate degrees. Each year the graduate students are involved in more than one hundred performances in front of a public audience. Graduate students of the Hilberry company receive assistantships such as tuition waivers, medical insurance and a stipend.

The Hilberry Theatre graduate training program is a three-year program offering specializations in the following areas: Acting, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Stage Management and Theatre Management.

The Hilberry acting program stresses the performance aspect of the acting process, holding that performing in front of a live audience is the supreme way of learning the art of acting. Its foundations are laid on a series of European and American classics, combined with some contemporary plays.

The Hilbery Costume Design program presents the opportunity to practice costume design in a manner which stresses the practical nature of theatrical design. Through accelerated hands on classroom, studio and design production experience, costume design majors are able to grasp the knowledge needed to design for multiple productions held at the Hilberry Theatre, as well as the undergraduate Bonstelle Theatre.

The Hilberry lighting design program is aimed toward theatre production and individual projects. This provides students the freedom to choose more individualized coursework, pushing them to develop into distinctive artists.

The Hilberry Scenic Design program is centered on practical training and design experience to help students develop production related skills. Through collaboration, conceptualization, originality and self-discovery, students are able to work in wide ranges of styles, allowing them to enter in a broad world of professional entertainment. This program is a pre-professional terminal degree.

The Hilberry Stage Management program requires dedication and passion for the process of theatre production. It also demands creative mindsets that are able to conduct successful productions. This program focuses on preparing students for advanced positions in education and theatre. Students will commit to at least six professional productions at the Hilberry and will mentor undergraduate students at the Bonstelle Theatre.

The Hilberry Theatre Management program is primarily focused on promoting arts leadership, similar to what is studied in the arts administration programs. Students learn leadership training skills, through hands on experience, to eventually acquire the ability to run a professional theatre.

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