![SimmonsPMT](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/SimmonsPMT.jpg)
The Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC) is one of four professional theatre companies in
Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
, and the only fully professional theatre in Salt Lake City, contracting with union members belonging to
Actors' Equity Association
The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a boo ...
(AEA),
Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and
United Scenic Artists
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, formerly known as United Scenic Artists of America (USAA), is an American labor union. It is a nationwide autonomous Local of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. It organizes designe ...
(USA829). PTC was formed in 1962 and performs at the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre on the
University of Utah
The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
campus in
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the capital and most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 200,133 in 2020, th ...
.
The
non-profit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
company produces seven plays each season, running from September to May, including classics, musicals, dramas, and comedies.
The company creates its own productions on site, including costumes and scenery, while sometimes using actors and directors from out-of-state.
Among a number of premieres, the company produced the nation's first regional premiere of ''
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...
'' in 2007, giving 82 sold out performances.
Organization
Though PTC performs on the
University of Utah
The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
campus, the company operates independently and receives no direct funding from the university. The company is a
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
, with 35% of its budget coming from donors, sponsors, and government support.
The company is led by acting managing director Diane Parisi and artistic director Karen Azenberg.
The company operates on a
League of Resident Theatres contract with the
Actors' Equity Association
The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a boo ...
.
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
Pioneer Theatre Company performs at the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, located on the west side of the
University of Utah
The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
campus in
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the capital and most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 200,133 in 2020, th ...
,
Utah
Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
.
Roy W. Simmons, for whom the theatre is named, attended the
University of Utah
The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...
from 1934 to 1937 and was the
CEO of
Zions Bancorp from 1964 to 1990.
The Lees Main Stage of the theatre is a 932-seat
proscenium theatre
A proscenium ( grc-gre, προσκήνιον, ) is the metaphorical vertical plane of space in a theatre, usually surrounded on the top and sides by a physical proscenium arch (whether or not truly "arched") and on the bottom by the stage floor ...
.
The Loge Art Gallery, located on the second floor of the building, is open to the public. Art is selected from local painters, photographers, and sculptors to go with each play of the season.
Productions
The PTC was the first regional theatre company to earn the rights to produce ''
Les Misérables
''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...
''. Though most PTC productions have a run of 19 performances, ''Les Mis'' was extended multiple times for a total of 82 sold out performances in 2007, a record for the company.
The company has been responsible for world premieres of revised versions of ''
Paint Your Wagon'' and ''
The Producers''.
State premieres include the plays ''
An American Daughter
''An American Daughter'' is a play written by Wendy Wasserstein. The play takes place in a living room in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Production history
''An American Daughter'' opened under the New Play Workshop Series at Seattle Repertory Theat ...
'', ''
Arcadia'', ''
Doubt
Doubt is a mental state in which the mind remains suspended between two or more contradictory propositions, unable to be certain of any of them.
Doubt on an emotional level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty ...
'', ''
Fences
A fence is a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
Fence or fences may also refer to:
Entertainment Music
* Fences (band), an Amer ...
'', ''
Proof'', and ''
The Vertical Hour
''The Vertical Hour'' is a play by David Hare (dramatist), David Hare. The play addresses the relationship of characters with opposing views on the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and also explores psychological tension between public lives and private liv ...
''. The company has produced major musicals including ''
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
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'', ''
Into the Woods
''Into the Woods'' is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.
The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. T ...
'', ''
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, or a nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining o ...
'', and ''
Ragtime
Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott J ...
'', and classics and adaptations including ''
Othello'', ''
Pride and Prejudice'', ''
The Three Musketeers
''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight ...
'', ''
A Tale of Two Cities
''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in ...
'', and ''
The Grapes of Wrath
''The Grapes of Wrath'' is an American realist novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939. The book won the National Book Award
and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and it was cited prominently when Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Priz ...
''.
The company's first play in 1962 was ''
Hamlet
''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...
''.
History
Construction of Pioneer Memorial Theatre began with a direct appropriation from the Utah State Legislature, Kennecott Copper, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and private donors. Construction was completed in 1962. The structure contains three levels and is equipped with two stages. The Main Stage seats 932 guests, while the smaller Babcock Theatre in the basement seats 350. 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 of Utah Department of Theatre faculty. Pioneer Memorial Theatre was dedicated in October 1962 as the professional “State Theatre of Utah”, with speeches from University of Utah President A. Ray Olpin, Governor Clyde, Dr. C. Lowell Lees and President David O. McKay. Dr. Lees is named the very first Artistic Director for PMT.
Dr. C. Lowell Lees left the University in 1964 and Keith M. Engar was appointed to succeed him. During his time at Pioneer Theatre, Keith M. Engar created the
University Resident Theatre Association (URTA) contract with
Actors’ Equity Association. This was the first formalized contract between Actors’ Equity and a university theatre.
In 1984 Charles Morey was hired as Artistic Director of PTC, with specific direction to fully professionalize the theatre, expand the repertoire, and clarify the relationship between PTC and the University of Utah Department of Theatre. PTC moved to a
League of Resident Theatres (LORT) contract in 1986 with Actors’ Equity which allowed the theatre to become fully professional.
In 2010, with local developer Cowboy Partners, PTC purchased and renovated the University House at 1300 East and 200 South to provide artist housing for visiting actors, directors, and designers. Renamed the Meldrum House, after lead donors Pete and Catherine Meldrum, the project housed its first cast in the fall of 2011. The renovation budget of $3.2 million was provided by private philanthropic sources.
Karen Azenberg was appointed Artistic Director of PTC in 2012, replacing Charles Morey who stepped down as the longest sitting artistic director of a major American regional theatre.
Managing Director Chris Lino retired in 2019 after 28 years and was replaced by
Christopher Massimine. In June 2021, Massimine went on leave after investigations by
Fox 13,
The Salt Lake Tribune and the
New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
that he falsified information on his resume and his accolades. Development Director Diane L. Parisi was named Acting Managing Director in June 2021. Massimine officially resigned, via a statement to the media, in August 2021.
References
External links
Official websiteProduction history, casts, and photosLoge Gallery artists
{{authority control
Performing groups established in 1962
University of Utah
Theatres in Utah
Theatre companies in Utah
Buildings and structures in Salt Lake City
Tourist attractions in Salt Lake City
1962 establishments in Utah