March 7, 1934
The Dramateurs was organized from dramatic art educational classes
at the Norristown YWCA by Miss Louella E. Mullin. Club officers were
elected: Lemuel Geyer, president; Dorothy Lawler, secretary; Katherine
Carn, librarian. The idea to organize a little theater group was born
during the presentation of She Stoops to Conquer for the benefit
of the YWCA.
Charter members of the group
included: Louella Mullin, Katherine Carn, Kathryn Beisel, Dorothy
Buchenhorst, Betty Buchenhorst, Eleanor Buchenhorst, Bryce Manthorne,
Merrill Eastwood, William Clark, Burke Allerton, Lemuel Geyer, Herbert
Dewees, Rhetta Farrington and Ernest Wynn. The name "The Dramateurs"
was chosen by vote from a list submitted by members.
It was suggested by Lemuel Geyer.
May 5, 1934
The name "The Dramateurs" was registered with the Pennsylvania
Department of Registrations.
February 17,
1937
The group decided to rent and remodel a barn located at Christopher
Street and Rittenhouse Boulevard, Far View Farms, Jeffersonville,
PA. The barn dates from 1723.
May 8, 1937
The players were incorporated as a non-profit organization.
Sept. 8, 1939
After hundreds of hours of volunteer labor and $2000, the Barn Playhouse
opened with a production of The Shining Hour.
January 25, 1940
West Norriton Township issued a Certificate of Registration For Non-Conforming
Use to the group.
March 28, 1947
It was announced at the group’s annual banquet and dance that
an agreement had been signed to purchase The Barn.
