"We may be small but we are choice," Mr. Austin summed up. "And popular," he added. "For they come -- the oldsters who remember the stock companies of the cities, the youngsters who know only pictures and television -- and they tell us they like us." It is by such heartening knowledge, of course, that real success is measured.
- Chick Austin speaking of the Windham Playhouse in 1956
- Chick Austin speaking of the Windham Playhouse in 1956
Above is a ca. 1946 brochure advertising the Windham Playhouse
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The playhouse was opened by "Chick" Everett Austin in 1946 in the barn of the Lieutenant Joseph Smith farm. The playhouse closed over a decade later in 1957. To the left the inside of the brochure highlights several plays, as well as advertising the sale of season tickets. At the time the rate was $12 plus $2.40 tax for one season of six plays. Alternatively, tickets could be purchased individually for the rate of $1.20, $1.80, and $2.40; conveniently tax was included.
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Above: Ca. 1946 unused admission ticket
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The immediate popularity of the plays is shown through the ticket sales for one of the first season plays, "Ten Nights in a Barroom". On the night of August 15, 143 tickets were sold. The breakdown of the sales are shown on the outside of the envelope that held the ticket stubs. Although only 11 people opted for the pricier $2.00 tickets, 77 patrons purchased the $1.50 tickets. Not including tax, the play grossed $182.50 on that night. Not so bad considering "Blithe Spirit" pulled in just over $90 on July 31 of that same year.
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"A. EVERETT AUSTIN PRESENTS..." This phrase first appeared locally on a program cover ten years ago when A. Everett Austin opened Windham Playhouse. During these ten years the phrase has gradually come to mean more than the bare fact. Many people love the theatre; Mr. Austin loves good theatre, and here at Windham Playhouse he puts his belief in the power of the production as a whole. Settings must be right; they must also have what he calls "flair." The plays must have varied appeal; each must be a New York success, and more than not written by top-ranking playwrights. An acting company in which each player works to make the play as a whole the real star of the place.
Plays for the summer of 1955
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Below is a 1956 "mailer" advertising the opening of the summer season of the Windham Playhouse. Over the course of 10 years the 6 plays per season was expanded to 8 and the Monday - Thursday ticket prices actually dropped slightly. However, when the season opened in 1956, Austin was able to invite his patrons to watch a "big comedy hit" or even a, "sensational Broadway prize play".
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