McCarter Theatre Centre

McCarter Theatre Centre is a major regional performing arts complex and professional theatre company located on the campus of Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1930, it operates as a non-profit organization presenting a diverse season of theatre, dance, music, and special events. The Centre is renowned for its production of new plays and classics, its educational outreach, and its role as a cultural hub for the Princeton community and the broader Mid-Atlantic region. It houses two distinct performance venues, the historic Matthews Theatre and the more intimate Berlind Theatre.

History

The venue originated from a 1929 gift by Thomas N. McCarter, a Princeton University graduate and former president of Public Service Enterprise Group, to construct a hall for the Princeton University Triangle Club. Designed by the architectural firm Fellheimer & Wagner, the building opened in 1930 with a production by the Triangle Club featuring the undergraduate Joshua Logan. For its first three decades, it primarily served as a roadhouse for touring productions from Broadway and elsewhere. A significant transformation occurred in 1960 under the leadership of Milton Lyon, who established a professional resident company, shifting the focus toward producing its own work. This new era was cemented by the 1963 appointment of Arthur Lithgow as producing director, who launched ambitious repertory seasons. Subsequent artistic directors, including Michael Kahn, Nagel Jackson, Emily Mann, and Sarah Rasmussen, have each shaped its artistic identity, with Mann's 30-year tenure particularly noted for championing new American plays and documentary theatre.

Architecture and facilities

The original Georgian Revival-style building, constructed with a steel frame and brick facade, centers on the 1,079-seat Matthews Theatre, a traditional proscenium stage house known for its excellent acoustics and ornate detailing. A major expansion and renovation project was completed in 2003 under the design of architect Michael Graves, a professor at Princeton University School of Architecture. This addition created the modern 360-seat Roger S. Berlind Theatre, a flexible black-box performance space named for the prolific Broadway producer. The Graves design also added new rehearsal halls, administrative offices, and public spaces, seamlessly connecting the historic and contemporary structures. The complex includes support facilities for scene and costume shops, enabling the full production of its theatrical seasons on-site.

Productions and programming

The artistic programming presents a mix of world premieres, contemporary plays, reimagined classics, and musicals across its two stages. It has a distinguished history of developing new works that have transferred to Broadway, including Emily Mann's Having Our Say, Warren Leight's Side Man, and Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart. Its production of The Grapes of Wrath won the 1990 Tony Award for Best Play. The season is supplemented by a presenting series that brings renowned national and international dance troupes like the Martha Graham Dance Company, music ensembles, and solo performers to Princeton. Special events, lecture series, and community-focused festivals further diversify its annual calendar.

Education and community engagement

Educational initiatives form a core part of its mission, serving students, teachers, and lifelong learners. Programs include student matinee performances with accompanying study guides, in-school residencies and workshops led by teaching artists, and professional development for educators. The Princeton University Summer Theater, a professional company, offers training and performance opportunities for students. Community engagement efforts include talkbacks with artists, sensory-friendly performances, and partnerships with local organizations like the Princeton Public Library and the Arts Council of Princeton to broaden access to the arts. These programs aim to integrate the institution deeply into the cultural and educational fabric of the region.

Notable people and awards

Throughout its history, the institution has been associated with many notable figures in American theatre. Renowned artists who have worked on its stages include actors John Lithgow, Frances Sternhagen, and S. Epatha Merkerson, and playwrights Tennessee Williams, Edward Albee, and Ntozake Shange. Its artistic directors have received numerous accolades, with productions earning several Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Obie Awards. In 1994, it was honored with the Regional Theatre Tony Award, recognizing its sustained contribution to American theatre. The legacy of support from individuals like Roger S. Berlind and foundations such as the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation has been instrumental in its growth and artistic achievements.

Category:Theatres in New Jersey Category:Regional theatres in the United States Category:Buildings and structures in Princeton, New Jersey Category:Princeton University