Ford's Theatre Society

Ford's Theatre Society. The organization is a private, non-profit entity chartered by the United States Congress to oversee the operation and programming of the historic Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1968, its core mission is to celebrate the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre, education, and public engagement. The Society manages the active theatre, the adjacent Ford's Theatre Museum, and the Petersen House across the street.

History

Following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth in 1865, the federal government seized Ford's Theatre and it served for decades as office space for the War Department. In 1964, spurred by the Civil Rights Movement and a renewed interest in Lincoln's legacy, Congress authorized its restoration as a working theatre and historic site. The Ford's Theatre Society was formally established in 1968 to operate the venue, partnering with the National Park Service, which maintains the site as a National Historic Site. Key milestones include a major renovation from 2007 to 2009, which significantly expanded its museum and education facilities, and the 2020 launch of digital programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mission and programming

The Society's mission centers on using history to provoke civic dialogue and inspire through the performing arts. Its programming is divided into three main pillars: producing live theatre, fostering educational initiatives, and preserving the historic site. The theatrical season typically includes a mix of American classics, new works, and an annual production of A Christmas Carol. Its education division, the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, offers extensive resources for students and teachers, including the Oratory Fellowship program and the Lincoln's Hat online curriculum. Public programming features lectures, panel discussions, and the annual Lincoln Memorial address.

Leadership and governance

The Society is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of civic and business leaders from the Washington metropolitan area and nationally. Day-to-day operations are led by the Director, a position held since 2004 by Paul R. Tetreault. The organization works in close partnership with the National Park Service under a formal cooperative agreement, and its operations are supported by contributions from individuals, corporations like ExxonMobil and AT&T, and grants from institutions such as the National Endowment for the Arts. Key past leaders include founding chairman Frankie Hewitt, who guided the theatre's artistic revival for over three decades.

Venues and facilities

The Society's primary venue is the meticulously restored Ford's Theatre, which operates as a fully equipped 665-seat performing arts center. Adjacent to the theatre is the modern Ford's Theatre Museum, which houses artifacts like the Derringer pistol used by John Wilkes Booth and explores Lincoln's presidency and assassination. Across Tenth Street is the Petersen House, where Lincoln died, maintained by the National Park Service but integrated into the visitor experience. The campus also includes an education center, administrative offices, and the Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership, which features a winding staircase tower of books about Lincoln.

Notable productions and events

The Society's stage has hosted numerous significant productions and world premieres. Notable theatrical works include the premiere of The Heavens Are Hung In Black by James Still, and acclaimed productions of *Parade*, Come From Away, and The Wiz. It regularly features notable actors such as James Earl Jones, Jefferson Mays, and Jane Alexander. Beyond theatre, the site hosts the annual Ford's Theatre Lincoln Gala, a major fundraising event, and solemn commemorations on the anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It has also been a venue for addresses by figures including President Barack Obama and Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Performing arts organizations in the United States Category:History museums in Washington, D.C.