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From the Archives: History of Theatre at Ransom Everglades

A look through the school archives reveals that theatre and performance have long held a special place in the life of Ransom Everglades. From the earliest days of the Adirondack-Florida School to today’s thriving productions on the Lewis Family Auditorium stage, generations of students and faculty have embraced the transformative power of the dramatic arts. Preserved by RE Archivist, Katrina Patchett, the archives hold memories, milestones and traditions that have shaped the performing arts at RE for more than a century.
One of the earliest surviving records of student theatre dates back to November 1914, when every student at the Adirondack-Florida School (AFS) participated in a production of The Critic by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. A photograph from the performance captures the enthusiasm and camaraderie of the cast, while the 1914–1915 yearbook proudly noted that “the splendid manner in which everyone in the large cast tried to make things run smoothly” resulted in “such a finished performance.” Even then, theatre was clearly about more than performance alone; it was about collaboration and community.

When AFS evolved into the Ransom School in 1949, the tradition of dramatic performance continued to flourish. Students regularly took the stage in ambitious productions, including Eugene O’Neill’s In the Zone and Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in the fall of 1951. To bring these productions to life, Ransom students joined forces with students from Miss Harris’ Florida School, an early example of the collaboration and shared spirit that would later define the merged schools. According to the December 1951 Ransom School newsletter, “a good time was had by all.” A photograph from November 1950 shows students from both schools performing Key Largo on a makeshift stage in the Pagoda, a reminder that great theatre often begins with imagination and enthusiasm.

The opening of the Everglades School for Girls in 1955 solidified the place of the arts within the school community. Drama classes quickly became an integral part of student life, and by 1959, a new auditorium had been constructed on campus. Known affectionately as the “cafeterium,” the versatile space served not only as a theatre, but also as a cafeteria, dance hall and gathering place for special events. Today, that same building continues to serve students as the middle school dining hall.

By the early 1960s, the dramatic arts had become one of the school’s defining traditions. An admissions brochure from 1961–1962 proudly described the theatre program as one that “encourages participation by the whole school.” That spirit of inclusivity and shared experience remains a hallmark of theatre at RE to this day.

In February 1966, the Everglades School for Girls opened a new and significantly larger auditorium: the Jessie H. Swenson Memorial Hall, named in honor of founder Marie Swenson’s mother and now known simply as Swenson Hall. At the time, it was regarded as “one of the finest theaters in South Florida.” The hall quickly became a centerpiece of campus life, hosting assemblies, concerts and theatrical performances, while also opening its doors to local community organizations and artists.

The Ransom School expanded its own theatre facilities as well. In 1969, Cameron Hall opened on the Ransom campus, featuring an auditorium in the space now occupied by the Dan Leslie Bowden Library. By then, the Everglades and Ransom schools had developed a close academic and cultural partnership. Students traveled between campuses to take classes unavailable at their own schools, and this collaboration extended naturally to the performing arts. Productions such as The Yeoman of the Guard in March 1973 reflected the growing bond between the two communities and foreshadowed the eventual merger that would create Ransom Everglades School.

In 2000, twenty-five years after the merger, the upper school campus welcomed a new fine arts complex that included a state-of-the-art multi-use auditorium. Later named the Lewis Family Auditorium, the space quickly became the heart of countless memories, from assemblies and graduations to concerts and theatrical performances. At the time, upper school drama teacher Stephen Bonnell remarked that “having a fully equipped proscenium theatre will enhance our ability to achieve more in-depth dramatic work.” His words reflected not only excitement for a new facility, but also confidence in the future of theatre at RE.

More than a century after students first gathered to perform The Critic, the vision articulated in the 1914–1915 AFS yearbook still rings true: the teaching of dramatics holds “immense educational value” and an important place in school life. Thanks to the dedication of generations of educators, students and school leaders, the arts remain woven into the fabric of the Ransom Everglades experience. The stages may have changed over the years, but the creativity, collaboration and community behind the performances continue to inspire Raiders today.

If you would like to learn more about RE's history, or wish to donate items to the archives, please email Katrina Patchett at kpatchett@ransomeverglades.org

To check out RE Alumni working in entertainment and performing arts, visit our alumni site here. 
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.


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