Indiana State University to celebrate 100 years of theater productions

Indiana State University will celebrate their centennial of theater productions with a special event open to alumni, current students, and community members on April 12th.  
 

The celebration event includes a luncheon for alumni, students, and friends of the department in addition to tours of Dreiser and Seventh Street Theaters. In the evening, attendees can join a pre-show toast ahead of the performance of Reefer Madness, a musical production inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name. This raucous comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana and includes musical numbers that take inspiration from big Broadway-style showstoppers to Vegas-style ensembles. 

Indiana State University President, Dr. Mike Godard, stated, “For a century, Indiana State University’s Theater productions have become a pillar of the greater Terre Haute community, and a hub dedicated to first-class performances and enriched storytelling. I want to extend my gratitude and congratulations to the dedicated students, staff, and faculty who have helped shape the theatre into what it is today, and I look forward to the next century of success.” 

Founded in 1925, theater on the Indiana State University’s campus started as a club named The Sycamore Players. In the 1930s, The Sycamore Playhouse was built in the basement of the Administration Building, and the stage in the Physical Education building was fitted with new equipment. Then in 1935, the Delta chapter of Theta Alpha Phi was granted on campus. This dramatic fraternity grew and sponsored events such as the Sycamore and Campus Revue. 

In 1950, the new Sycamore Playhouse was built with a much larger capacity and more amenities which lead to the Indiana State Theater Division of the Department of Speech becoming increasingly involved with the Terre Haute Children’s Theatre throughout the 1960s. The New Theater, next to Cunningham Memorial Library, opened in 1980 and throughout this decade, Theta Alpha Psi hosted Theaterfest, an event for students to perform each year. In April, 1990, the University Theater received an award for “Downwinder Dance” from the American College Theater Festival held by The Kennedy Center and in 2023, Dreiser Hall, which is home to the Department of Theater, was rededicated after an $18-million state-funded renovation. 

"For a century, Theater at Indiana State University has been a cornerstone of artistic expression and innovation on campus," said Dr. Melinda Roberts, Dean of Indiana State University’s College of Arts and Sciences. "This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our students, faculty, and alumni who have kept the spirit of theater alive and thriving at Indiana State. We are proud to celebrate this rich legacy and look forward to another hundred years of storytelling and creative excellence.” 

Dr. Chris Berchild, Chair of the Department of Theater, added, “Theater at Indiana State University has transformed from a small student club into a thriving program that continues to inspire and entertain. This celebration is not just about the past, but about the future—embracing new talent, new stories, and new experiences. We invite our alumni and the community to join us in honoring this incredible journey."