Robsham Theater Celebrates Anniversary of 30th Season

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the Robsham Theater Arts Center. Robsham will be opening its doors Wednesday evening for the opening night of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

The show, directed by guest artist Paul Daigneault, tells the story of what happens to fairy tale characters after the happily-ever-after ending. According to a recent release, a reception will be held to launch the 30th anniversary season and to honor its long-serving director, Howard Enoch on Thursday evening. On Sunday, the final night of Into the Woods, there will be a pre-show commemoration to honor the 30th anniversary.

Robsham Theater first opened its doors on Oct. 30, 1981, when Rev. J. Donald Monan S.J., then-president of Boston College, dedicated the building before the first production of Camelot. "This year, the musical is being presented in the fall as a celebration for the 30th anniversary," said Sheppard Barnett, associate director of Robsham Theater Arts Center. "Into the Woods is a fun show that people love to see."

Two years after the opening of BC, theater began under the dramatic society in 1865. "The dramatic society is the oldest continuing club at BC," Barnett said. "Originally, it was the only producing organization. Slowly, there became a theater component out of the communication department, and eventually, theatre became its own department." In the early 1970s, a theater major was established in the College of Arts and Sciences as part of the department of speech, communication and theater. In 1993, the theater department was officially established.

The theater production has come a long way since its establishment in 1865. "I've been here for 24 years," Barnett said, "and from my experience … the professional and production values have increased over the years. The entire production process has changed a great deal. The students have changed. They are much more involved with shows in high school and more students are coming to BC with previous experience. That brings a whole new change to the theater. The professionalism of the students has really benefited the entire production."

In 1981, Robsham Theater opened as the center of theater production on campus. E. Paul Robsham Jr., an undergrad student of BC, died in a car accident in 1983, the summer following his freshman year. In 1985, the theater was dedicated in his honor. "His parents wanted to honor [their son's] memory," Barnett said.

Robsham is now a Student Affairs-run program. "In the last 30 years, there have been 120 University theatre productions performed in Robsham … as well as many student activities every year," Barnett said.

When asked if he had a favorite show, Barnett said, "They've all been special … I think the most important thing is that, being a Student Affairs facility, our mission is the formation of the total student ... It's not just getting on and doing the show. The process of doing a show helps people learn leadership skills, organizational skills, carpentry skills and managerial skills. There's a whole spectrum of growth that happens throughout the theatrical process, and that is really the most important thing we do."

As Barnett looks toward the future, he hopes to see even more change in the arts.

"My hope is someday to have a premier performance space, a grand hall … something that could hold a grand music event, a large musical or something to tour in ... I think that the theatrical process benefits people in their future careers and future lives. In Student Affairs, we're looking to help form the entire person. I think in some ways, the arts are undervalued in the University.… There's a long and very full tradition of the arts in the Jesuit education system. I'd really like to see the performing arts follow the Jesuit tradition and become the educational tools that they can be."