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Red brick building with an arched doorway on a path with a Chinese lion sculpture on either side.

M. Lee Pelton Theatre

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Written by Alex Sims, Class of 2025

The theatre building began as a gymnasium, experiencing many evolutions before becoming the building as it is today. In the 1890s students expressed a desire for a dedicated gymnasium to house campus athletic activities. In 1895 a Victorian Stick-Style Architecture building measuring 60 by 80 feet and constructed out of wood became the University’s gymnasium costing about $2,500.1

On May 9, 1921 the wooden gymnasium burned to the ground.2

Architect A. E. Doyle was hired to design a new gymnasium building. Completed in 1923, the new structure was a two-story simple red brick building featuring 17 large windows and measuring 76 by 116 feet. The building and athletic equipment cost around $80,000 and the planned indoor pool was cut due to lack of funding.3 This premiere gymnasium served the campus community, hosting gym classes and sporting events.

By the 1970s, the building could no longer accommodate the growing student population. Architect James Payne created plans for a new physical education recreation center (PERC) projected to cost $2.1 million. This building eventually became the Lestle J. Sparks Center that serves the athletic needs of campus. The old gymnasium, now empty, was converted into The Playhouse in 1974 for use by the Theatre department.4 Before having a dedicated performance space, the Willamette University Players would perform in Waller Hall and the Fine Arts Auditorium.

In 1977 the university began a six-year, three-phase initiative to update existing facilities to improve the educational experience. Phase two of this project focused on converting the Playhouse into a more functional theatre space.

The renovation of the Playhouse was funded by a $150,000 challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation. The University fundraised $600,000 for the project exceeding the required matching number. Salem architects Chrisman-Grimms worked to renovate the gymnasium into an amphitheater-style thrust theatre that could seat 272 people. The thrust stage measured 17 feet by 20 feet and created an intimate performing experience.5 This theatre was named the Kresge Theatre in dedication to the funding provided by The Kresge Foundation. The Arena Theatre, a smaller black-box-style space, was also included in the renovation. The remaining space was converted into offices, classrooms, a set construction area, a dance studio, dressing rooms, a make-up laboratory, and a green room.6

Theatre professor Dr. Peffers commented that “this theater is perhaps the most flexible effective theater facility in the entire Northwest” and goes on to say it is a “marvelously adequate space with a lot of little problems.” These drawbacks included “inadequate sound insulation between the undersized shop area and the performing areas” and “the lack of funds to obtain sophisticated lighting and sound equipment for the theaters.”7

The Willamette University Theatre Department (WUT) made the most of this updated facility until 2006 when discussions of another renovation began. The building had become outdated in safety, accessibility, and usability. The theatre faculty compiled lists of their top priorities in updating the space including ADA compliance through a new elevator and ramps, adhering to fire code and increasing the safety of the building, creating a larger dance studio and scene shop, updating the lobby, adding additional bathrooms, and updating the theatre space.8

The renovation took place in two stages. The first stage began in 2009 and focused on the renovation of the basement and classrooms, the scene shop, and the theatre. Phase two focused on updating the electrical system, and the sound system, and installing a tension grid allowing for more flexibility and safety when hanging theatrical lighting instruments. The project was estimated to cost between $4.5 and $5.5 million.9

When completed, the new main space black-box theatre increased flexibility in types of seating configurations, provided more space for set construction, and a safer way to hang lights. The lighting and sound equipment was updated to modern capacity and the safety and accessibility of the building was improved.

On May 14, 2011, the building was renamed to the M. Lee Pelton Theatre, “dedicated by the board of trustees in recognition of President Pelton’s leadership, vision, and strong support of the arts at Willamette University.”10 From Gymnasium to The Playhouse to The Kresge Theatre to The M. Lee Pelton Theatre, the building continues to serve as an educational and performing arts space for Willamette University students.

Written Summer 2024

Endnotes

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  1. ˆ Willingham, William F. Collegiate Architecture and Landscapes in the West: Willamette University 1842-2012. (Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University, 2019), 57-58.
  2. ˆ “Fire Consumes Old Gymnasium: Early Home of Willamette’s Athletics Is Brought to Ground at Night.” Willamette Collegian, 11 May 1921.
  3. ˆ Willingham, Collegiate Architecture and Landscapes in the West: Willamette University 1842-2012, 88, 90.
  4. ˆ Willingham, Collegiate Architecture and Landscapes in the West: Willamette University 1842-2012, 150-151.
  5. ˆ Foster, Eileen. “Theater plans gala opening.” Willamette Collegian, 8 Feb 1979, 4.
  6. ˆ Willingham, Collegiate Architecture and Landscapes in the West: Willamette University 1842-2012, 157.
  7. ˆ Foster, Eileen. “Theater plans gala opening.” Willamette Collegian, 8 Feb 1979, 4.
  8. ˆ Washko, Amanda. “Building a solid foundation from the basement up: The Kresge Playhouse renovation will benefit students and theater majors alike.” The Collegian, 23 Sept. 2009, 6.
  9. ˆ  Smith, Amber. “Kresge Theater gets a new look: Renovations begin spring 2008 with interior upgrades, wheelchair access.” The Collegian, 5 Mar 2008, 3. Washko, Amanda. “Building a solid foundation from the basement up: The Kresge Playhouse renovation will benefit students and theater majors alike.” The Collegian, 23 Sept. 2009, 6.
  10. ˆ  M. Lee Pelton Theater. Dedication Plaque, 14 May 2011, Willamette University.

Works Referenced

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  • M. Lee Pelton Theater. Dedication Plaque, 14 May 2011, Willamette University. 
  • “Fire Consumes Old Gymnasium: Early Home of Willamette’s Athletics Is Brought to Ground at Night.” Willamette Collegian, 11 May 1921, https://hdl.handle.net/10177/9955.
  • Foster, Eileen. “Theater plans gala opening.” Willamette Collegian, 8 Feb 1979, https://hdl.handle.net/10177/9343.
  • Smith, Amber. “Kresge Theater gets a new look: Renovations begin spring 2008 with interior upgrades, wheelchair access.” The Collegian, 5 Mar 2008, https://hdl.handle.net/10177/10446.
  • Washko, Amanda. “Building a solid foundation from the basement up: The Kresge Playhouse renovation will benefit students and theater majors alike.” The Collegian, 23 Sept. 2009, https://hdl.handle.net/10177/10738.
  • Willingham, William F. Collegiate Architecture and Landscapes in the West: Willamette University 1842-2012. Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University, 2019.

Image Citations

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