Theatre History
The 172-seat, three-quarter thrust theatre is housed in a converted barn, along with the RVC Theatre Department offices and costume storage facilities. The building and its accompanying 217 acres were purchased by the college in 1965 from Dr. J.J. Rogers. The structure has undergone several renovations and served multiple purposes since its initial purchase, at certain times housing the college cafeteria, library and admissions offices. As the campus grew, new buildings were assigned to serve these purposes. By 1985, an unnamed student theatre group had taken up residence in the building. This group would eventually be folded into the existing RVC Theatre Department. Plans to move from "the barn" to a new Arts Instructional Center with modern amenities has been tabled by the college's board of Trustees.Production history
According to local newspaper records, more than 130 productions have taken place in Studio Theatre. * 1985: ''Ah! Wilderness'' * 1985: ''Christmas with the Conroys'' * 1986: ''Ladyhouse Blues'' * 1986: ''Wings'' * 1986: ''End of the World'' * 1986: ''Christmas with the Conroys'' * 1987: ''Same Time Next Year'' * 1987: ''Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda'' * 1987: ''Prometheus Bound'' * 1987: ''Hoosier Lore'' * 1988: ''Two Gentlemen of Verona'' * 1988: ''Dr. Franken's Consuming Obsession'' * 1988: ''Death of a 2nd Husband'' * 1988: ''Christmas with the Conroys'' * 1989: ''The Tempest'' * 1989: ''Smile of the Buddha'' * 1989: ''Your Plays or Mine'' * 1989: ''Christmas at Wits End'' * 1990: ''Measure for Measure'' * 1990: ''Danger:Memory'' * 1990: ''King Lear'' * 1990: ''Godspell'' * 1991: ''Midsummer Nights Dream'' * 1991: ''Verdict'' * 1991: ''Richard III'' * 1991: ''Fantasticks'' * 1992: ''Wild Oats'' * 1992: ''Runner Stumbles'' * 1992: ''Macbeth'' * 1992: ''Cotton Patch Gospel'' * 1993: ''Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead'' * 1993: ''Ten Little Indians'' * 1993: ''Henry IV I'' * 1993: ''She Loves Me'' * 1994: ''Lend Me a Tenor'' * 1994: ''Witness for the Prosecution '' * 1994: ''Romeo & Juliet'' * 1994: ''American Rock'' * 1995: ''Kites Book'' * 1995: ''The Hollow'' * 1995: ''Hamlet'' * 1995: ''1940's Radio Hour'' * 1996: ''Bad Manners'' * 1996: ''Black Coffee'' * 1996: ''Winter's Tale'' * 1996: ''They're Playing Our Song'' * 1997: ''Star Rover'' * 1997: ''Towards Zero'' * 1997: ''Much Ado About Nothing'' * 1997: ''Nunsense'' * 1998: ''Three Women Embracing'' * 1998: ''Spider's Web'' * 1998: ''Twelfth Night'' * 1998: ''Dames at Sea'' * 1999: ''Royal Hunt of the Sun'' * 1999: ''The Mousetrap'' * 1999: ''Julius Caesar'' * 1999: ''Company'' * 2000: ''Confused in Blimey'' * 2000: ''Unexpected Guest'' * 2000: ''As You Like It'' * 2000: ''King Henry V'' * 2000: ''Midsummer Nights Dream'' * 2000: ''Titus Andronicus'' * 2000: ''Nunsense'' * 2001: ''The Lake'' * 2001: ''Murder at the Vicarage'' * 2001: ''Comedy of Errors'' * 2001: ''Macbeth'' * 2001: ''Richard II'' * 2001: ''The Christmas Schooner'' * 2002: ''Crossing Bridges'' * 2002: ''Murder on the Nile'' * 2002: ''Henry IV, Part II'' * 2002: ''Taming of the Shrew'' * 2002: ''Troilus & Cressida'' * 2002: ''Cabaret'' * 2003: ''Emily's Shadow'' * 2003: ''Cards on the Table'' * 2003: ''Othello'' * 2003: ''Loves Labours Lost'' * 2003: ''Into the Woods'' * 2004: ''Pearl's Jam'' * 2004: ''Alibi'' * 2004: ''Merchant of Venice'' * 2004: ''Timon of Athens'' * 2004: ''Queen Margaret'' * 2004: ''Victor/Victoria'' * 2005: ''Scapino!'' * 2005: ''Love From a Stranger'' * 2005: ''Romeo & Juliet'' (also performed at theOriginal Works Program
Since before its official formation, Studio Theatre has performed original plays by local playwrights. * ''The Northwest Suburban Penny Ante Poker Club & Suicide League'' by T. Zack, 1983 * ''Lazaretti or the Saber-Toothed Tiger'' by F. Hockwalder, 1984–85 * ''Christmas with the Conroys'' by T. Zack, 1985–86 * ''Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda'' by M. Swan, 1986–87 * ''Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound'' (translated by the cast), 1987–88 * ''Hoosier Lore'' by T. Zack, 1987–88 * ''Dr. Franken's Consuming Obsession'' by G. Freek, 1987–88 * ''Death of a Second Husband'' by R. Cline, 1988–89 * ''The Smile of the Buddha'' by G. Freek, 1988–89 * ''Your Plays or Mine'' by B. Wine, 1989–90 * ''Christmas at Wits End'' by T. Zack, 1989–90 * ''American Rock'' by J.E. Murray & R. Pauly, 1994–95 * ''Kite's Book'' by R. Caisley, 1994–95 * ''Bad Manners'' by R. Caisley, 1994–95 * ''The Star Rover'' by M.P. Webb, 1996–97 * ''Three Women Embracing'' by R. Caisley, 1997–98 * ''Confused in Blimey'' by T. Hunter, 1999–2000 * World Premiere of ''The Lake'' by R. Caisley, 2000–01 * ''Crossing Bridges'' by C. Blatcher-Martin, 2001–02 * ''Emily's Shadow'' by G. Quirk, 2002–03 * ''Pearl's Jam'' by Tom Hunter, 2003–04 * ''Shakespeare's Queen Margaret'' (adapted by R. Potter - Midwest Premiere), 2004–05 * ''The Mayor of West Belvidere'' by T. Hunter, 2005–06References
{{coord, 42.30617, -88.99641, region:US-IL_type:edu, display=title Buildings and structures in Rockford, Illinois Theatres in Illinois University and college theatres in the United States Tourist attractions in Rockford, Illinois Rock Valley College