The Delaware Children's Theatre

HISTORY

In 1973, The Delaware Children's Theatre first started from the vision of Marie Swajeski, its founder and artistic director. The organization has grown over the years to become the premiere institution for family entertainment in the Delaware Valley.

The timeline of events that have taken place over the years is a true testament to Mrs. Swajeski and her dedicated group of volunteers.

The Children's Repetory Theatre (CRT), as it was originally named, first entered the Delaware scene as a touring company. CRT brought quality children's theatre directly to schools, senior centers, parks, libraries, and the like, using both well-known productions as well as original works.

During the first years, CRT grew in reputation quickly, forcing them to add shows to their theatrical offerings, and to begin thinking about securing a "permanent" space to perform.

The Children's Repetory Theatre, after an extensive search, found a space that met the needs of the theatre company as well as provided a central location for its patrons.

In 1978, CRT moved to its new home in the upper room of Grace United Methodist Church in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The location was a comfortable fifty-seat auditorium with a small stage. The backstage area was small, with little wing space for the actors to manuever either stage left or right. The make-up and dressing area was located downstairs, away from the mainstage.

The costume area was a permanent fixture in the audience gathering room. And finally, the lighting/sound booth was cramped, but effective, and provided the perfect opportunity to truly make a magical experience for the performers and audience members alike.

It was there that CRT's reputation for producing exceptional family theatre grew beyond the walls of their humble surroundings.

Marie Swajeski and her merry band of devoted stalwarts continued the mission of providing families with multiple opportunities to experience children's theatre up close and personal.

Never forgetting her roots, Mrs. Swajeski continued to perform to thousands of school-aged children through her "theatre-in-education" program including many unique chances to showcase the talents of her kids and teens at special events like the Governor's annual Easter Egg hunt... the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival... the Mary Campbell Center... and others.

Soon the time when the need to explore a larger facility to house the growing CRT arrived. Mrs. Swajeski located the perfect building to move her troupe; an old TheatreHouse, relatively down the street, that was built in 1893.

With the assistance of many "believers," the reality of a "home" that would be completely owned and operated by the Children's Repetory Theatre became true in 1982. Located at 1014 Delaware Avenue, the move warranted a new name for a new beginning.

The Delaware Children's Theatre was created.

Now the theatre and its volunteers had the enormous task of maintaining a large facility to continue the dream started so long ago. The DCT quickly learned that the building they purchased had a strong and vibrant history.

Originally commisioned by the New Century Club, named for a group of affluent women from the 1800s, the building was designed by Minerva Parker Nichols, the only woman of that era recognized by the Philadelphia Architectual Society.

The New Century Club quickly became the social scene for Delaware women; a place to discuss the 1900s, voting rights, and general life in the State.

Over the years, our building served as a hospital during World War I... an ice cream parlor and pharmacy for the community... a college (on the top floor)... a dinner theatre... and one of the first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting places in Delaware.

With all of this historic value, Mrs. Swajeski worked hard to get The Delaware Children's Theatre and its century-old TheatreHouse on the list of National Historic Places in the United States.

She succeeded, and in 1983, the building was added to the list.

Since moving into the 1014 location, the DCT experienced many setbacks including having to raise the monies necessary to replace the original slate roof... an outdated boiler system... the electrical system... theatre lighting system... windows... doors... and a theatrical curtain, to name a few. Although some would have turned and ran out the front doors, Mrs. Swajeski persevered and has worked tirelessly to restore the Historic TheatreHouse to its natural beauty.

The Delaware Children's Theatre has become a fixture in the State of Delaware and the gateway to the City of Wilmington. Today, the DCT is a thriving theatrical institution committed to providing families with a place to enjoy exceptional children's theatre. The theatre also provides acting classes for kids and teens throughout the year.

It is because of one woman's vision and dream that this theatre is a true treasure for the tens of thousands of people in the tri-state area who have experienced the DCT for themselves.

Mrs. Swajeski continues to lead the Delaware Children's Theatre into the 21st century and beyond, and as a result, the families and communities who have enjoyed the DCT in the past will be the beneficiaries of its legacy in the future.