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Last updated on April 21, 2008

Dedicated to being an artistic focal point in the community and to serving the community in a socially and educationally responsible manner.

Description:
Established in 1944 as the Dramateurs and reorganized in 1992 as the Town Hall Theatre Company of Lafayette, we are the oldest continuously active live theater in Contra Costa County. We are a professionally managed non-profit corporation overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors drawn from the leaders of the local business and artistic communities. Town Hall Theatre Company is dedicated to providing a community-based performing arts resource.

Town Hall Theatre Company believes in a theater that is an artistic focal point in the community, that serves the community in a socially and educationally responsible manner, and that provides creative opportunities for performers, designers, technicians, directors, writers, educators and students, both within and outside of the Lamorinda community as well as in the greater Bay Area.

Town Hall Theatre Company is committed to producing consistently high quality art while building itself in a fiscally responsible manner, controlling expenses, expanding sales revenue, and seeking and using grants and donations for general operating expenses and for capital improvements.

Please call (925) 283-1557 for additional information as to how you can participate in this growing community resource!

History:
In the mid-nineteenth century, the citizens of the new farming community of Lafayette took issue with decisions of the County Supervisors. The early residents were dissatisfied with matters such as the granting of permits for developments in the area and the county's performance of road and drain maintenance locally. Some alleged that the streets were only resurfaced when a supervisoral election was due.

In 1911, a group of leading citizens, including several merchants, formed the Lafayette Improvement Club (LIC). From the time the organization was formed until the city incorporated in 1968, the LIC remained the “political thorn” in the County Supervisors' side.

One of the first pieces of business was to construct a building which could be used for community meetings and social events. The search for property ended in 1913 when Frank and Rosa Ghiglione deeded a property to the LIC and donated $200 towards building costs. With other financial contributions and labor donated by the citizens of Lafayette, a building was completed in May, 1914.

The first event in the new Town Hall was a Grand Ball, the first of many Saturday night dances in Lafayette. This new social activity became so popular that the LIC requested that the Sacramento Northern Railroad provide a special train from Oakland to the West Lafayette Station so people could walk to Town Hall. Evenings would begin at 9:00 p.m., with a multi-course supper served at midnight, followed by more dancing. It was reported that one train left the Lafayette station at 5:30 a.m.!

In 1941, LIC was reorganized under a new constitution and became today's Lafayette Improvement Association (LIA). Town Hall continued to be used by many organizations in many ways. Lafayette Grammar School used the facility as its auditorium until the school auditorium was built in 1944. Activities included community meetings, church services, movies, and basketball. In 1941 theatrical performances were launched by the Lafayette Playshop. Their opening night was December 3, 1941, the eve of the U.S. entry in World War II. During the next four years, the building's use was devoted to the war effort.

Live theater returned to Lafayette in 1947 when the Straw Hat Review rented Town Hall. In 1955, the Dramateurs began performing. From 1956 till 1986, a local group entertained local residents with a show called "The Laf-Frantics."

The Dramateurs reorganized as Town Hall Theatre Company in 1991 and continues to flourish today. Three times, from 1992 through 1995, The Town Hall Theatre Company won Shellie Awards for the Best Production in Contra Costa County. Major renovations have been completed, including the addition of air conditioning, repositioning of the seating area, the installation of new seats, and the installation of a lift (elevator) for our handicapped patrons.

Contact people:

Web Master, (email) Vangie Long, Managing Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 925-283-3481

Address:

3535 School Street Lafayette, CA 94549 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.thtc.org

Directions:

From Berkeley: * Take Hwy 24 East through the tunnel toward Walnut Creek. * Take Central Lafayette/Oak Hill exit. * At end of exit, turn right on Oak Hill. * Turn left on Mt. Diablo Blvd (at light). * Drive one block, then turn right on Moraga Road (at light). * Drive about five blocks, then turn left on School Street (at light). * The theater is at the corner of School Street and Moraga Road, at 3535 School Street; it's a two-story brown building (rather barn-like). Street parking is available on School Street. Also, Lamorinda Medical Center allows our patrons to park in their garage. They are located at 911 Moraga Road, directly from across the theater. From Walnut Creek: * Take Hwy 24 West toward Oakland. * Take Central Lafayette exit. * At end of exit, turn right on Deer Hill Road. Take an immediate right onto First Avenue. * At second light, turn right on Mt. Diablo Blvd. Immediately get into right lane. * Take left at Moraga Road (at light). * Drive about five blocks, then turn left on School Street (at light). * The theater is at the corner of School Street and Moraga Road, at 3535 School Street; it's a two-story brown building (rather barn-like). Street parking is available on School Street. Also, Lamorinda Medical Center allows our patrons to park in their garage. They are located at 911 Moraga Road, directly across from the theater.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Lafayette BART Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15   Nearest Bus Stop: Route 106 or 206 at Moraga Rd and Moraga Way, 5 minute walk

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