PTC:
A History.
1960
July
Construction of Pioneer Memorial Theatre begins with direct appropriation from the Utah State Legislature, Kennecott Copper, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and private donors. The theatre is intended to replace The Salt Lake Theatre built in 1862.
1962
October 7
Construction is completed. The original structure is three levels and equipped with two stages. The Main Stage seats 1,000 guests and the “intimate” theatre in the basement seats 350 patrons. The structure includes five formal classrooms, several rehearsal halls and dressing rooms. These are also used as classrooms and offices for the members of the University Theatre faculty.
October 10
Pioneer Memorial Theatre is dedicated as the professional “State Theatre of Utah,” with speeches from University of Utah President A. Ray Olpin, Governor Clyde, Dr. C. Lowell Lees and David O. McKay. Dr. Lees is named the very first Artistic Director for PMT.
1964
June 13
Dr. C. Lowell Lees leaves the University and Keith M. Engar is appointed to succeed Dr. Lees. During his time at Pioneer Theatre, Keith M. Engar creates the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA) contract with Actors’ Equity Association. It is the first formalized contract between Actors’ Equity and a university theatre.
1972
November 12
In its 10th season, PMT has remarkable success and higher demand, requiring a bigger building. Discussion of expansion begins.
Fun Fact
Dr. Lees said there was some controversy over whether the word “theater,” as applied to the U of U theatrical activities, would be spelled “theater” or “theatre.” The U of U Board of Regents voted to accept the “theatre” spelling as the official one.
1980s
Early 1980s
Engar and senior university administrators separate PTC leadership from the academic program to clarify mission and operations of PMT.
1986
PTC moved to a League of Resident Theatres (LORT) contract with Actors’ Equity which allows the theatre to become fully professional.
1987
The finances of the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre and Pioneer Theatre Company are separated. PTC is to become self-sustaining with University support.
1986
PTC moved to a League of Resident Theatres (LORT) contract with Actors’ Equity which allows the theatre to become fully professional.
1987
The finances of the University of Utah’s Department of Theatre and Pioneer Theatre Company are separated. PTC is to become self-sustaining with University support.
1993
PTC begins a fundraising campaign with a goal of $5.5 million to renovate and expand the Pioneer Memorial Theatre. With a significant gift of $4.1 million from the family of Roy and Elizabeth Simmons, and the rest of the funds from donors, PTC is able to expand.
PTC generates its first surplus and begins repaying debts that have been accumulating over the years. For the next 12 years PTC operates with balanced or surplus budget.
1993
1996
PTC begins a fundraising campaign with a goal of $5.5 million to renovate and expand the Pioneer Memorial Theatre. With a significant gift of $4.1 million from the family of Roy and Elizabeth Simmons, and the rest of the funds from donors, PTC is able to expand.
2007
PTC is the first regional theatre company to earn the rights to Les Misérables. This particular production sells out 82 performances, a record for the company, and is noted around the country.
2010
PTC announces that it has, with local developer Cowboy Partners, purchased and renovated the old University House at 1300 East and 200 South to provide artist housing for visiting actors, directors and designers. Named Meldrum House, after lead donors Pete and Catherine Meldrum, the project houses its first cast in the Fall of 2011. The budget of $3.2 million was provided by private philanthropic sources.
2012
July 1
Karen Azenberg is appointed Artistic Director of PTC, replacing Charles Morey. After a 28-year tenure, Morey steps down, the longest sitting artistic director of a major American regional theatre.
2019
July 1
Chris Lino retires after 28 years serving as PTC Managing Director.
2021
June
Diane Parisi is named Interim Managing Director.
2022
October 28-November 12
Shucked has its world premiere at Pioneer Theatre Company. With a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, music/lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien, the production eventually opens on Broadway in spring 2023—making it the first Broadway production to hold an out-of-town tryout in Utah. The show is nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning one for Best Featured Actor for Alex Newell.
A U.S. National Tour and London production are announced for 2024.
2024
March 29
PTC inagurates the new Meldrum Theatre in the Einar Nielsen Field House with the Utah premiere of The Lehman Trilogy. The 387-seat, thrust stage venue allows for a more intimate theatre going experience for smaller, contemporary plays. The theatre is named in honor of a generous donation from the Meldrum Foundation. Additional major funding comes from PTC Trustee Sandi J. Behnken.
2024
August 1
Adrian Budhu, former COO of Theatre Communications Group, begins his tenure as Pioneer Theatre Company’s Managing Director. Interim Managing Director Diane Parisi retires after 30 years of service to PTC.
