An icon of the local theater community is marking a milestone as the Annie Russell Theatre celebrates its 90th season beginning on Sept. 23.
Built in 1932, it is the longest operating theater in Central Florida and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
The 360-seat, 36,676-square-foot theatre was named after Annie Russell, a famous Liverpool-born stage actress who packed Broadway theaters and local playhouses in the U.S. and Europe throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She returned to the stage after a 14-year retirement to star in Rollins’ inaugural season.
As the performance venue for the Rollins College Department of Theatre and Dance, Annie Russell Theatre theater also plays a major role in the development of future talent.
“Students are entering into an industry – a world – that’s complex, ambiguous, and ever-changing,” Rollins College Theatre and Dance Department Chair Thomas Ouellette told the32789. “To its namesake, working at the Annie Russell Theatre provides the opportunity to shape the next generation of storytellers. We don’t take that responsibility lightly.”
The 2022-2023 Subscription Series will include:
- “A Doll’s House, Part 2” Sept. 23-Oct. 1 – Playwright Lucas Hnath continues the story of Nora Helmer, who left the traditional constraints of her family and returns 15 years later as a successful feminist novelist.
- “Water by the Spoonful” Nov. 11-19 – Playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes’ story about an Iraq War veteran’s search for meaning in civilian life, and how people create connections while dealing with personal struggles.
- “As You Like It” Feb. 17-25, 2023 – Shakespeare’s romantic comedy set in the Forest of Arden where imagination and self-discovery prove that “All the world’s a stage” – until it’s time to go home.
- “Into the Woods” April 21-29, 2023 – Writer James Lapine and composer Stephen Sondheim present the plots several Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a real-world setting where the story does not always end happily ever after.
Individual tickets and subscription packages are now on sale with available discounts for seniors, students, and Rollins alumni. Click here for more information or call (407) 646-2145.