Governor Scott Declares March 14 ‘Royall Tyler Theatre Day.’

Join Public Celebration with Award-Winning Alumni and Friends on April 12-13.

With an ambitious plan for the future and an eye to its history, the University of Vermont’s (UVM) Royall Tyler Theatre turns 50 on March 14 and will host a celebration five decades in the making when alumni return to campus on April 12-13 for a series of panels, workshops, and exhibits, a book signing, and a musical theatre revue featuring theatre alumni and current students. 

In recognition of the Royall Tyler Theatre’s history of producing “over three hundred plays, musicals, concerts and similar productions for the benefit of the University community and the general public,” Governor Phil Scott has declared March 14, 2024 as “Royall Tyler Theatre Day” in the State of Vermont. He adds, “Under the visionary leadership of Edward J. Feidner with the support of fellow faculty members William M. Schenk, George B. Bryan, Christopher Lane, and Nancy Haynes, the Royall Tyler Theatre was dedicated on March 14, 1974, with a production of the musical version of ‘The Contrast’ adapted by Anthony Stimac with music by Don Pippin and lyrics by Steve Brown.”

The milestone anniversary celebrates UVM’s iconic theatre arts facility, which was dedicated on March 14, 1974 to Royall Tyler (1757-1826), Vermont’s 13th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and author of America’s first comedy play. Royall Tyler Theatre has been home to hundreds of student and professional actors and technicians and the Champlain Shakespeare Festival, and hosted scores of plays, musicals, and dance productions, as well as a series of unique cultural programs.  

“Fifty years of Royall Tyler Theatre, and we are just getting started!” said Dr. Rob Shimko, Head of the UVM Program in Theatre & Dance, who joined the faculty last August and has been leading an effort to revitalize the program. “We are taking the opportunity of Royall Tyler Theatre’s 50^th anniversary to welcome all generations of alums back to campus to celebrate the enduring legacy of theatre at UVM and deepen connections between the alumni and the current students. Theatre at UVM has a very special history reaching back well before the creation of Royall Tyler Theatre and the Theatre major, and we want new students to understand that they are part of an amazing lineage. And, we want to give the alums from all eras an opportunity to share their knowledge and connections and to ‘pay it forward’ for future cohorts of theatre students,” Shimko added.

Emphasizing the importance of the role played by Theatre and Dance at UVM, William Falls, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences says, “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royall Tyler Theatre, we reflect on the enduring significance of the arts in a modern liberal arts education. The arts foster creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration, all of which help shape well-rounded individuals who are prepared to navigate the complexities of the world.”

Kelley Helmstutler Di Dio, Executive Director of UVM’s School of the Arts adds, “The School of the Arts celebrates the Royall Tyler Theatre’s contributions to the lives of students and people across the state over the last 50 years through the performances in its theater and education in its classrooms. While reflecting on the past, we embrace this moment of exciting change and renewal brought about by our new School, new leadership and faculty in Theatre, new theatre programming, and new ways to welcome in and serve diverse communities within and beyond UVM.” 

The Royall Tyler Theatre 50th Anniversary Celebration kicks off on Friday, April 12, with a distinguished alumni panel including two-time Drama Desk Award winner and Tony and Emmy nominee Jeffrey DeMunn (Shawshank Redemption, The Walking Dead, Billions), professional stage manager and Vermont business owner Dawn Wagner (Broadway/Off-Broadway), and prolific theatre/film/television actor Michael Garfield Levine (Law & Order, Sopranos, The Warriors), among others. Other events that day include faculty-led workshops, a theatre building open house, an alumni author book signing, and displays of costumes and other memorabilia from the history of theatre at UVM.

The main event on Saturday, April 13, will be a collaboration between alumni and current students for 50 Years of Royall Tyler Theatre: A Musical Revue, presented on the mainstage. The show will be directed by UVM Theatre professor Dr. Zeina Salame, with musical direction by Broadway Musical Director & Conductor Steven Freeman ’77. That day will also include an alumni photo taken in front of Royall Tyler Theatre and an evening reception.

During the celebration weekend, alumni and friends will formally recognize the recent retirement of the theatre’s longest-serving staff member and technical director, F. Patrick Orr ’77, a Barre, Vermont native whose time at UVM spans the entire history of the theatre dating back to stagehand duties during the 1974 summer season of the Champlain Shakespeare Festival.

All of the activities and events for the two-day celebration are hosted by the UVM College of Arts and Sciences, the Program in Theatre & Dance (part of the School of the Arts), and the UVM Foundation, which has established a registration site for alumni wishing to attend. All events are free.

For a full schedule of events and registration, visit RTT 50^th Celebration

And now for a little on the Theatre’s namesake:

Royall Tyler was an influential American playwright and diplomat, born on July 18, 1757, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for his play “The Contrast,” which premiered in 1787 and is considered the first American comedy. This witty and satirical play explored the cultural differences between American and British society, reflecting the tensions of the time. Tyler’s work helped establish a distinct American identity in theater and paved the way for future playwrights to explore national themes.

In addition to his contributions to theater, Royall Tyler had a distinguished career in diplomacy. He served as a U.S. consul in Madras, India, from 1792 to 1815, where he played a crucial role in establishing trade relations and negotiating treaties with local leaders. Tyler’s diplomatic skills and cultural understanding helped foster positive relations between the United States and India during a critical period of international trade expansion. His experiences abroad enriched his perspective as a writer and contributed to his nuanced portrayal of different cultures in his plays.

Despite his achievements as a playwright and diplomat, Royall Tyler’s literary legacy extends beyond “The Contrast.” He also wrote several novels, including “The Algerine Captive” (1797), a popular adventure story set in North Africa. This novel, inspired by Tyler’s own experiences as a captive during the American Revolution, offered readers a captivating tale of survival and exploration. Tyler’s versatile writing skills and ability to capture diverse settings and characters made him a respected figure in American literature, leaving a lasting impact on both the theatrical and literary landscapes of his time.