Hershey Theatre

Hershey Theatre is a historic performing arts venue in Hershey, Pennsylvania, constructed during the Great Depression as part of a cultural and civic complex sponsored by Milton S. Hershey and the Hershey Company. The theatre opened in the early 1930s and has presented touring productions, symphonic concerts, Broadway shows, film screenings, and community events, contributing to the cultural life of Dauphin County and the Susquehanna Valley.

History

The theatre was commissioned by industrialist Milton S. Hershey and developed alongside projects associated with the Hershey Company, Hersheypark, and the Hershey Industrial School initiative that reshaped Derry Township, Pennsylvania and the greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania region. Construction occurred amid economic turmoil linked to the Great Depression (United States) and relied on local contractors and artisans influenced by design movements circulating in New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The opening season attracted performers and organizations such as touring circuits related to the Orpheum Circuit, orchestras tied to the Philadelphia Orchestra, and vaudeville stars who also appeared at venues like the Mansion Theatre and the Academy of Music (Philadelphia). Throughout the 20th century the theatre adapted to changing entertainment markets shaped by the rise of radio broadcasting exemplified by networks like NBC and CBS and later by the expansion of television broadcasting anchored in stations similar to WHP-TV. Preservation efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries involved partnerships with regional bodies such as the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and cultural funders akin to the National Endowment for the Arts and local philanthropies connected to the Hershey Trust Company.

Architecture and Design

Designed by architect Warren Lee Taylor with input from artisans who had worked on projects influenced by Beaux-Arts architecture, Art Deco, and Spanish Revival architecture, the theatre exhibits ornate detailing, plasterwork, and murals drawing on motifs seen in landmarks like the Radio City Music Hall and the Teatro alla Scala in conceptual lineage. Decorative programs included sculptural commissions and painted panels by artists trained in studios influenced by the Pratt Institute and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Mechanical systems were installed contemporaneously with advances pioneered in industrial complexes such as those at Hershey Chocolate Corporation factories and modeled on acoustical principles similar to those applied at the Carnegie Hall and the Symphony Hall (Boston). Exterior and lobby materials reflect stonework and tile traditions traceable to crafts practiced in regions like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and imported decorative elements comparable to those acquired for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Facilities and Features

The auditorium seats approximately 1,900 patrons and includes a proscenium stage, fly loft, orchestra pit, and backstage support spaces equipped for touring companies associated with organizations like The Broadway League, Cirque du Soleil, and regional resident companies similar to the Royal Shakespeare Company in terms of production scale. Support facilities include rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, scene shops, and loading docks enabling connections with logistics partners such as United Parcel Service and tour buses operated by companies comparable to Coach USA. Technical systems encompass lighting rigs, sound reinforcement inspired by standards from firms like Meyer Sound Laboratories and Electro-Voice, and rigging conforming to guidelines set by United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration practices. The venue’s marquee, box office, and front-of-house operations interface with ticketing platforms and promotional networks akin to Ticketmaster and cultural calendars coordinated with institutions such as the Hershey Centre and the Pennsylvania State University outreach programs.

Programming and Performances

Programming blends national touring productions from producers associated with Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn Theaters with resident orchestral and choral performances drawing musicians tied to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, guest artists from the Philadelphia Orchestra, solo recitals referencing repertoires championed by pianists like Vladimir Horowitz and vocal soloists in the tradition of Leontyne Price. The theatre hosts dance companies resonant with touring ensembles such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and ballet troupes in the lineage of the American Ballet Theatre. Film retrospectives reference preservation efforts like those of the Library of Congress and the Academy Film Archive, while community programming connects with festivals similar to the Pennsylvania Farm Show and arts initiatives run by organizations such as the Creative Communities Partnership. Educational outreach has mirrored partnerships between performance venues and universities like Temple University and conservatories comparable to the Curtis Institute of Music.

Community and Cultural Impact

As a civic anchor, the theatre has influenced tourism tied to attractions including Hersheypark Stadium, the Hershey Gardens, and the ChocolateTown Trolley visitor networks, and has played a role in regional economic development strategies coordinated with chambers like the Dauphin County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Harrisburg Regional Convention Center Authority. Cultural collaborations have involved education partners like the Hershey High School arts departments, social-service entities such as the United Way of the Capital Region, and heritage organizations akin to the Derry Township Historical Society. The venue’s preservation and programming have been recognized in dialogues with preservationists associated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and have fed into media coverage by outlets similar to The Patriot-News and PennLive. Its legacy continues to shape performing arts philanthropy in central Pennsylvania alongside institutions such as the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and to inspire comparative studies in fields represented at conferences hosted by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.

Category:Theatres in Pennsylvania Category:Hershey, Pennsylvania