There would be no Red Barn Theatre had it not been for James Webster. He started The Saugatuck Summer Players in 1948, producing and directing his shows in the old Saugatuck High School. He found a talent pool within the locals, visiting tourists and from the Kalamazoo Civic Players and the Twin City Players of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, two well established theater groups. After three successful years, in 1951, Mr. Webster moved the group to the Gray Gables barn in Douglas and took on the name of The Red Barn Theatre. Eager to expand, he purchased the old barn north of Saugatuck on the Belvedere estate and by 1954, The Red Bar Theatre of Saugatuck was on its way to becoming one of the finest summer theatres in the state. After three short but highly successful seasons, Mr. Webster was forced to retire owing to ill health. During those three years, the internship program grew, drawing students from across the Nation, adding support for such ambitious seasons as the seventh in which eleven productions of merit were mounted between 23 June and closing 11 September. Mr. Webster died in 1966 at the age of 53.
Eager to keep the caliber of work going, Mr. Webster was pleased that the new owner of the Barn, in 1957, was William John Upjohn of Kalamazoo. Mr. Upjohn held the property for 18 years. He hired James Dyas as his producer/director and professional actors were brought on board. The theatre, deemed too small to support mounting costs, was enlarged and by 1967, a rehearsal stage, a lounge, a business and box office, a costume shop and a refreshment area had been added.
In 1976, a small group of investors from the local area and Chicago purchased the theatre, operating it at the Red Barn Real Estate, Inc. In 1986, Paul Stuart Graham and Henry R. Barton Jr. (formerly with the Lakeshore Little Theatre of Saugatuck) purchased the property, added a small orchestra pit and in 1987, changed the name to The Red Barn Playhouse. Graham and Barton converted the 128 seat lower rehearsal hall into the Red Bar Pavilion for smaller shows that would alternate with those up on the main stage. Several other major alterations were made and as difficulties arose, the Red Barn remained dark for the summer of 1992 and remained closed for the 1993 season.
Luckily, Kyle Latshaw and Loretta Yoder of Indianapolis learned that the barn was available late in 1993 and finalized their purchase early in 1994. Intense rehabilitation took place (after all, the little gem of a theatre had been neglected for two seasons) and the Red Barn Playhouse re-opened in June, 1994.
Eager to keep the caliber of work going, Mr. Webster was pleased that the new owner of the Barn, in 1957, was William John Upjohn of Kalamazoo. Mr. Upjohn held the property for 18 years. He hired James Dyas as his producer/director and professional actors were brought on board. The theatre, deemed too small to support mounting costs, was enlarged and by 1967, a rehearsal stage, a lounge, a business and box office, a costume shop and a refreshment area had been added.
In 1976, a small group of investors from the local area and Chicago purchased the theatre, operating it at the Red Barn Real Estate, Inc. In 1986, Paul Stuart Graham and Henry R. Barton Jr. (formerly with the Lakeshore Little Theatre of Saugatuck) purchased the property, added a small orchestra pit and in 1987, changed the name to The Red Barn Playhouse. Graham and Barton converted the 128 seat lower rehearsal hall into the Red Bar Pavilion for smaller shows that would alternate with those up on the main stage. Several other major alterations were made and as difficulties arose, the Red Barn remained dark for the summer of 1992 and remained closed for the 1993 season.
Luckily, Kyle Latshaw and Loretta Yoder of Indianapolis learned that the barn was available late in 1993 and finalized their purchase early in 1994. Intense rehabilitation took place (after all, the little gem of a theatre had been neglected for two seasons) and the Red Barn Playhouse re-opened in June, 1994.
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