OUR HISTORY
'Rent', 2010
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UMTG Office, ca. 1992
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'Comedy of Errors', 1913
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A Brief History of the UMass Theatre Guild
Courtesy of Patrick Bruce, UMTG Chair 2011-12:
The University of Massachusetts Theatre Guild is a Recognized Student Organization, open for membership to anyone in the Five College community. It has existed in various forms for over one hundred years.
The UMass Theatre Guild was formed by accident in 1906. That year something very special happened; the men's glee club, women's glee club, and the Massachusetts Agricultural College Mandolinist Society came together to perform an operetta.
That's it.
That's how the UMTG started.
The Theatre Guild can be said to have begun with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" in 1906, presented jointly by these three clubs. These groups combined under the management of one board in the fall of that year, and continued to present one different Gilbert and Sullivan operetta annually. In addition to concerts, this group occasionally staged small theatrical productions of "minstrel shows," under the direction of Professor Frank Prentice Rand.
That's Professor Rand, the namesake of the Rand theater.
Which was built two years before the Theater department existed.
It was built for the Theatre Guild.
By 1937, these miniature musicals were so popular that an offshoot group was formed and produced a full scale Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta in Bowker Auditorium. This student run group was known as the UMass Operetta Guild and at one point, was so popular, their rehearsals were front page news in the Collegian. Eventually this organization began performing Shakespeare along with Gilbert and Sullivan, eventually causing the organization to rename itself the "University Players".
In 1970, the play and musical became rivals within the organization and the organization split into two different RSO's; the UMass Players and the UMass Musical Theatre Guild. The UMass Musical Theatre Guild (UMMTG) focused exclusively on musicals while the UMass Players (UMP) featured plays and UMass' first ever comedy troupes, the short form improv troupe Mission Improvable and sketch troupe Student Valley Productions.
In 1990, demand for space became a divisive issue between UMMTG and UMP, and the two organizations merged once again. The comedy arm of UMP formed its own RSO now known as Student Valley Productions [renamed the "UMass Comedy League" in 2014], and UMMTG and UMP became known as the UMass Theatre Guild. This RSO performs one musical and one play each semester.
Courtesy of Patrick Bruce, UMTG Chair 2011-12:
The University of Massachusetts Theatre Guild is a Recognized Student Organization, open for membership to anyone in the Five College community. It has existed in various forms for over one hundred years.
The UMass Theatre Guild was formed by accident in 1906. That year something very special happened; the men's glee club, women's glee club, and the Massachusetts Agricultural College Mandolinist Society came together to perform an operetta.
That's it.
That's how the UMTG started.
The Theatre Guild can be said to have begun with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" in 1906, presented jointly by these three clubs. These groups combined under the management of one board in the fall of that year, and continued to present one different Gilbert and Sullivan operetta annually. In addition to concerts, this group occasionally staged small theatrical productions of "minstrel shows," under the direction of Professor Frank Prentice Rand.
That's Professor Rand, the namesake of the Rand theater.
Which was built two years before the Theater department existed.
It was built for the Theatre Guild.
By 1937, these miniature musicals were so popular that an offshoot group was formed and produced a full scale Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta in Bowker Auditorium. This student run group was known as the UMass Operetta Guild and at one point, was so popular, their rehearsals were front page news in the Collegian. Eventually this organization began performing Shakespeare along with Gilbert and Sullivan, eventually causing the organization to rename itself the "University Players".
In 1970, the play and musical became rivals within the organization and the organization split into two different RSO's; the UMass Players and the UMass Musical Theatre Guild. The UMass Musical Theatre Guild (UMMTG) focused exclusively on musicals while the UMass Players (UMP) featured plays and UMass' first ever comedy troupes, the short form improv troupe Mission Improvable and sketch troupe Student Valley Productions.
In 1990, demand for space became a divisive issue between UMMTG and UMP, and the two organizations merged once again. The comedy arm of UMP formed its own RSO now known as Student Valley Productions [renamed the "UMass Comedy League" in 2014], and UMMTG and UMP became known as the UMass Theatre Guild. This RSO performs one musical and one play each semester.
'Once Upon A Mattress', 1967
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'Spring Awakening', 2012
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The set of 'Twelfth Night', 1928
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Year Written: 2001.
Show Associated With: And Then There Were None (Program Notes)
The origin of the UMass Theatre Guild goes back to 1906, when the University was known as the Massachusetts Agricultural College. That year the College Orchestra, Glee Club, and Mandolin Club united to for the MAC Musical Associattion. in addition to concerts, this group occasionally staged small theatrical productions of "minstrel shows," under the direction of Professor Frank Prentice Rand.
By 1937 these miniature musicals were so popular that an offshoot group was formed and produced a full scale Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta in Bowker Auditorium. This student run group was known as the UMass Operetta Guild and at one point, was so popular, their rehearsals were front page news in the Collegian.
In 1970 the group's name was changed to the UMass Music Theatre Guild. This group performed shows everywhere from the Southwest Basketball Courts, Bartlett Hall, Student Union Ballroom, Orchard Hill Bowl, to Bowker Auditorium. In 1990, the UMass Music Theatre Guild merged with the University Players (later Student Valley Productions) to become the UMass Theatre Guild. The first play ever produced by the UMTG was Ten Little Indians.
The UMass Theatre Guild proudly produces two completely student run productions every semester. We aim to provide five-college students a fun opportunity to experience all aspects of theater. We hope that you can see all the time, effort, and fun that went into this production and continue to support us in the future.
Show Associated With: And Then There Were None (Program Notes)
The origin of the UMass Theatre Guild goes back to 1906, when the University was known as the Massachusetts Agricultural College. That year the College Orchestra, Glee Club, and Mandolin Club united to for the MAC Musical Associattion. in addition to concerts, this group occasionally staged small theatrical productions of "minstrel shows," under the direction of Professor Frank Prentice Rand.
By 1937 these miniature musicals were so popular that an offshoot group was formed and produced a full scale Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta in Bowker Auditorium. This student run group was known as the UMass Operetta Guild and at one point, was so popular, their rehearsals were front page news in the Collegian.
In 1970 the group's name was changed to the UMass Music Theatre Guild. This group performed shows everywhere from the Southwest Basketball Courts, Bartlett Hall, Student Union Ballroom, Orchard Hill Bowl, to Bowker Auditorium. In 1990, the UMass Music Theatre Guild merged with the University Players (later Student Valley Productions) to become the UMass Theatre Guild. The first play ever produced by the UMTG was Ten Little Indians.
The UMass Theatre Guild proudly produces two completely student run productions every semester. We aim to provide five-college students a fun opportunity to experience all aspects of theater. We hope that you can see all the time, effort, and fun that went into this production and continue to support us in the future.
In rehearsal for 'Ah Wilderness', 1954
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The cast of 'Outward Bound', 1931
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The Cast of 'Tommy', Fall 1997
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Year Written: 1976.
Shows Associated With: Once Upon A Mattress ('76) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Program Notes)
The University of Massachusetts Music Theatre Guild is a Recognized Student Organization, open for membership to anyone in the Five College community. It has existed in various forms for forty years.
Music Theatre Guild can be said to have begun with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" in 1936, presented jointly by three music clubs - the Men's Glee club, the Women's Glee Club, and the Orchestra. These three groups combined under the management of one board in the fall of that year, and continued to present one different Gilbert and Sullivan operetta annually for eight years.
In 1944 the groups began to present other operettas, including "The Red Mill" in 1947. "The Red Mill" was a huge success, and as a result, the Operetta guild was officially formed. Around 1970 the name was changed to the UMass Music Theatre Guild.
With Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," presented in 1948, Operetta guild began presenting the numerous Broadway musicals which have largely characterized its existence since. These have included many Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter musicals, and others such as "Guys and Dolls" (twice), "No, No, Nanette," and "The Music Man." Most recent productions have included "Company in 1973, "Dames at Sea" in 1974, "Pirates of Penzance" in Spring 1975, and "Cabaret" in Fall 1975. Music Theatre Guild has presented "Once Upon A Mattress" once before, in Fall 1967.
Music Theatre Guild became a self-supporting organization in 1975, funding its two musicals per year through past ticket receipts. Productions are entirely student run, sometimes with professionals aiding in varied positions. The group would not have survived if it wasn't for the many dedicated people who willingly gave up so much of their time to produce these successful shows. Hopefully, the Guild will never stray from its objectives which are to provide fine musical entertainment for the University and Valley and to continue using its shows as a learning laboratory for all people, students and non-students alike, interested in theatre.
Shows Associated With: Once Upon A Mattress ('76) and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Program Notes)
The University of Massachusetts Music Theatre Guild is a Recognized Student Organization, open for membership to anyone in the Five College community. It has existed in various forms for forty years.
Music Theatre Guild can be said to have begun with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Trial by Jury" in 1936, presented jointly by three music clubs - the Men's Glee club, the Women's Glee Club, and the Orchestra. These three groups combined under the management of one board in the fall of that year, and continued to present one different Gilbert and Sullivan operetta annually for eight years.
In 1944 the groups began to present other operettas, including "The Red Mill" in 1947. "The Red Mill" was a huge success, and as a result, the Operetta guild was officially formed. Around 1970 the name was changed to the UMass Music Theatre Guild.
With Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," presented in 1948, Operetta guild began presenting the numerous Broadway musicals which have largely characterized its existence since. These have included many Rodgers and Hammerstein and Cole Porter musicals, and others such as "Guys and Dolls" (twice), "No, No, Nanette," and "The Music Man." Most recent productions have included "Company in 1973, "Dames at Sea" in 1974, "Pirates of Penzance" in Spring 1975, and "Cabaret" in Fall 1975. Music Theatre Guild has presented "Once Upon A Mattress" once before, in Fall 1967.
Music Theatre Guild became a self-supporting organization in 1975, funding its two musicals per year through past ticket receipts. Productions are entirely student run, sometimes with professionals aiding in varied positions. The group would not have survived if it wasn't for the many dedicated people who willingly gave up so much of their time to produce these successful shows. Hopefully, the Guild will never stray from its objectives which are to provide fine musical entertainment for the University and Valley and to continue using its shows as a learning laboratory for all people, students and non-students alike, interested in theatre.
