Happy Birthday!!!

Today is the 45th Birthday of MHT. I never know what the correct term is- Anniversary or Birthday. The first meeting of a group of local residents was held on this date in 1963 to form the Market House Theatre. A few of the founding members are still audience members like JC Dudley. JC's wife Wilhelmina was the first president of the theatre. Several prominent community doctors, lawyers, business owners and homemakers all came together and gave birth to what is now Kentucky's largest community theatre (by budget size). Tonight at the City commission meeting the commission will recognize MHT's Birthday. As I look over the minutes from the first year some items never change. The need for volunteers, the need for performers to audition for plays, and the need to raise funds to support the organization while keeping ticket prices affordable for everyone who wants to attend.

The selection of plays is surprising in many ways to see how much our community has changed since those early days. Plays where almost everyone on stage drinks and smokes were very common. The first play was the Male Animal produced at the IBEW union hall in April of 1964 since the Market House building wasn't ready yet. The second play was the Seven Year Itch in June of 1964 (the movie version was the one that made Marilyn Monroe famous for standing over a subway grate). The first full season of plays included Dial M for Murder in November of 1964, The Curious Savage in March of 1965, and Picnic in May of 1965. From there the did 5 plays in the next season. For several years after that the theatre generally produced between 4-5 plays as a season. Some years there were as many as 7 plays. This continued until 1973 when a fire destroyed a large portion of the the Market House building. I've heard many different stories as to the cause. The most often told is that the center part of the Market House Building was still used as a Market and it was in that area that the fire started. The 1973-74 season only had one play in Feb. of 74- How the Other Half Loves. Starting in the fall of 74 the theatre rebuilt the program. Local physician and playwright Ben Bradford contributed several of his plays for production at the theatre and directed and acted in dozens of shows. In 1982 the theatre saw a major renovation of the audience and lobby areas. The 100th production produced by the Market House Theatre was in June of 1983- A Midsummer Nights Dream. Less than 10 years later in 1992 the theatre had produced it 200th show - an original script from our National Playwriting competition called Dub. Only 7 years later in 1999 the theatre produced it's 300th production Rumpelstiltskin for the story theatre tour. Only 4 years later the theatre produced its 400th production- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This March MHT will produce its 500th production with the show Ramona Quimby. Productions ranged from 1 play during the 1973 season up to a high of of 22 separate shows in 1999/2000 Season.

MHT's first employee was a part time technical director/custodian who was hired in the late 70's. The first Executive Director Paul Meier was hired in Dec. of 1979 and oversaw the administrative and artistic duties until his departure in 1985. April Cochran was hired as Executive Director to replace Paul Meier and oversaw the theatre's growth for 10 years until 1995 when she left for 2 years to work as a Youth Minister for Grace Episcopal Church. She returned in her current position as Education Director in 1997. Marsha Cash has been with the theatre for over 13 years in a variety of administrative positions that have kept everything organized and accessible (when I can't find information on something I ask Marsha!) Alexis Davis and Jim Keeney joined the staff two years ago. Janice Peterson has been with the theatre for almost 20 years primarily as the volunteer costume designer and within the past 10 years as the part time Costume Coordinator.

My history starts on Nov. 1, 1983 when I was hired as the Technical Director/Designer (that included costumes too!) to replace Donna Booth who moved to Paducah Community College as their new technical director. In 1995 when April stepped down as the Executive Director I took over that position and have been the current Executive Director up to the present. This is a special year for me because November 1st, will be my 25th anniversary as an employee of the Market House Theatre. Beginning this season I have worked on over 400 productions for MHT in every capacity.

MHT is a truly a unique place and has become a treasured part of Paducah's cultural history. Hundreds of thousands of people have passed through the doors and watched plays or had an experience created by MHT. Thousands of performers and technicians have made magic at the theatre. In some cases we have 3 generations of family members who have been onstage in an MHT production and we are starting the 4th generation in some cases! Story Theatre and Footlights classes passed the 20 year mark a couple of seasons ago. All that wouldn't have happened if a small group of people hadn't decided to take a risk and step outside their comfort zone on that night of October 14, 1963. That story is the same 45 years later. None of our programming would be possible without the thousands of people each year who support the theatre and the hundreds who step onstage each year.

Happy Birthday MHT! Join us Saturday Oct. 25 between 5:30-7pm for a piece of birthday cake, a glass of punch and a chance to share your favorite story of this incredible history.