One of the two official state theaters of Maryland, Olney Theatre Center is situated on 14 acres (57,000 m2) in the middle of the Washington–Baltimore–Frederick "triangle."
[9][10] Olney Theatre was built on the Woodlawn Lodge estate,[9] which was the site of a former roller skating rink in what was then rural Montgomery County.
[9][12] The National Academy of Stage Training, a professional school of drama that had been founded by Cochran in 1932, moved to the Olney Theatre and began its first summer course there on June 20, 1938.
[14][15] Olney Theatre had a rustic feel, with inverted peach baskets serving as chandeliers and an open-air lobby with an oak tree growing in it.
It presented summer theater where shows featured well-known stars such as Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Tallulah Bankhead, and Helen Hayes.
His work, combined with the directorial talents of Robert Moore, Leo Brady, and Jim Waring drew large audiences, favorable reviews, and resulted in a profit of nearly $7,000 in 1956.
In 1960, after the production of Rashomon, directed by Robert Moore, Stephens told Father Hartke that he had decided to give him the theater.
Governor Blair Lee recognized Olney Theatre as the official State Summer Theater of Maryland in July 1978.
Olney Theatre added two shows to its 1993 season, and it began production in April and ending around late October.
During these 50 years, National Players had reached 2,400,000 audience members, traveled 1,760,000 miles (2,830,000 km), including ten tours outside the United States and five receptions at the White House, and gave over 6,000 performances.
In 2003, The Kresge Foundation awarded Olney Theatre Center a Special Opportunities Initiative grant of $1 million.
In 2005, Olney Theatre Center opened its new amphitheater, the Root Family Stage at Will's Place, which gave a permanent home to its Summer Shakespeare Festival.
Olney Theatre Center held the grand opening of its Mainstage theater, a 429-seat facility with stadium seating and advanced technical capabilities.
[33] John Riggins, a well-known former American football player,[34] starred in this play and surprised fans from all over the country with his acting skills.
[35][36] The play, which was written by playwright Bernie DeLeo, world premiered at Olney Theater Center and ran for four weeks.
[38] Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Olney Theater had to postpone all its current and upcoming in person productions at that time, and moved to online programing.
Tracy Lynn Olivera was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical Helen Hayes Award.
The book was by This Is Us writer and producer Bekah Brunstetter and the music and lyrics were written by Cinco Paul, who is known for his contributions to the Despicable Me franchise.
The show was praised by The Washington Post,[44] DC Theater Arts,[45] MD Theatre Guide[46] and Talkin' Broadway.