Records of the Wheelock College Theatre and Wheelock Family Theatre, 1967- | Wheelock College Archives

Lucy Wheelock founded Wheelock College in 1888 to provide education for teachers of young children. The Wheelock Guild was formed in 1916 to "foster the right school spirit" and it included the Music, Drama, Literary, and Athletic Guilds as well as other subgroups. The Dramatic Guild changed its name to the Dramatic Club in 1940-41. In 1946, the Dramatic Club established the Wheelock Children’s Theatre and started to present plays for children.

Drama at Wheelock College found a new home in 1965, when the Lucy Wheelock Memorial Auditorium and multi-purpose building (now known as the Activities Building) was dedicated, providing a new performance space as well as costume storage, makeup, and dressing rooms. The Wheelock College Theatre was born, and reflecting this new consolidation of space and resources, the Dramatic Club became the Wheelock College Theatre Club. The Wheelock College Theatre hosted student and Children’s Theatre works, as well as professional performances, from 1965 on.

In 1981, the Wheelock Family Theatre was founded by Susan Kosoff, Andrea Genser, Anthony Hancock, and Jane Staab to make theatre accessible to the entire community, including traditionally underserved populations. The Wheelock Family Theatre Education Program, with classes for young people and adults, began in 1983. The 650-seat auditorium was renovated in 1989-1990 and is fully accessible. The Wheelock Family Theatre’s practice of non-traditional casting won a commendation from the Actor’s Equity Association in 1991. In 1992 it became the first theatre in New England to offer live audio-description for blind audience members. PAH! Deaf Youth Theatre, a theatre training program for deaf teenagers, was implemented in 1994, and was recognized with the White House Coming Up Taller award in 1998.

Wheelock Family Theatre’s commitment to increased diversity in theatre has been honored with a wide variety of awards. Actors such as Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting) and Angela Hall (The Player, Bob Roberts), among others, got their start in Wheelock Family Theatre classes and performances. In 2002, the Wheelock Family Theatre inaugurated the annual WHEEL award, honoring individuals who have improved the quality of life for children and families through the arts.     

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