[3] The Old Globe Theatre was built in 1935, designed by Richard Requa as part of the California Pacific International Exposition.

At the end of the exposition, the Globe had been received so well that a nonprofit organization called the San Diego Community Theatre was formed to save the temporary structure from demolition.

During World War II, the United States Navy took over all buildings in Balboa Park, including the Globe.

In 1949, he launched the Globe's summer Shakespeare Festival in partnership with the drama department at University of San Diego.

Since then the Shakespeare festival has been presented every summer except 1953, when Noel broke with tradition by producing the smash hit play Mister Roberts instead.

[8] In 1951, the San Diego Junior Theater Wing of the Old Globe began to offer adventurous, youthful plays for children.

[13] In March 1978, the Globe Theatre was destroyed in an arson fire, and an outdoor festival stage was hastily constructed so that the 1978 season could still be produced.

They performed modern spins on Shakespeare, including a 1987 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that featured an original jazz score.

[17] In 1982, Teatro Meta, a bilingual theatre company so-sponsored by the Old Globe, University of California San Diego, and Southwestern College, had its first production.