Church Hill Theatre to be Recognized by Preservation Maryland

Non-Profit Queen Anne's Theatre

Usually it’s the actors and performances that are given acclaim at Church Hill Theatre. On May 17, 2018 Preservation Maryland will recognize Church Hill Theatre with a Community Choice award at the Best of Maryland preservation awards, which are talking place at the at The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore City.

Church Hill Theatre applied for and received a grant from Preservation Maryland for 10,000 dollars in April 2017 to make needed stucco repairs. During the Summer the Theatre fundraised the remaining money needed for the repairs.

Photographs by SG Atkinson: Church Hill Theatre

The building was built in the late 1920s and was the Church Hill Community Building, it was the site of card parties, suppers, dances, graduations, town meetings and even silent films complete with pianist from 1929 until 1935. In 1935, movie theatre equipment was installed which began the building’s 45 year history as a movie house.

When the last movie was played there in the early 1980’s a group of concerned and historically minded people began a quest to acquire the Theatre from the Town of Church Hill with the intent of restoring the building and starting a community theatre.

More than 30 years later, Church Hill Theatre continues the tradition of being a community performing arts center. They are currently preparing for their next production, the Stephen Schwartz, with a book by Roger O. Hirson, musical Pippin, which opens on Friday, June 8, and will run through Sunday, June 24, 2018 Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for member, and$10 for students. Reservations (strongly advised well in advance) canbe made by calling the box office at 410-556-6003 or online at www.churchhilltheatre.org

Photo by SG Atkinson: The Leading Player (Mackenzie Campbell) gloats as Charlemagne (Bob Chauncey) studies his two sons, Louis (Bryce Sullivan) and Pippin (Mark Wiening) as possible heirs to the throne.
The Leading Player (Mackenzie Campbell) gloats as Charlemagne (Bob
Chauncey) studies his two sons, Louis (Bryce Sullivan) and Pippin (Mark Wiening) as
possible heirs to the throne.- Photo by SG Atkinson