Baltimore Actors'
Theatre
Honored
as The Performing Arts Theatre of Baltimore County
Celebrates 50th Anniversary
1959 - 2009
BALTIMORE ACTORS' THEATRE
The Dumbarton House; 300 Dumbarton Road; Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone: 410-337-8519 Fax: 410-337-8582 Email: batpro@baltimoreactorstheatre.org
THE
BALTIMORE ACTORS' THEATRE (BAT Productions) was founded in 1959 by Helen Grigal.
Since its inception, BAT has been a multi-faceted operation providing myriad cultural
and entertainment activities for its audiences and members. BAT has a large membership
of performers spanning all ages. Its versatility is enhanced by its ability to
not only give members a year-round performing venue, but additionally to provide
training in all three disciplines: Music, Drama, Dance. The Baltimore Actors'
Theatre has mounted a variety of presentations including proscenium, the round,
and on international tour. BAT has performed at the Lyric Opera House, Ford's
Theatre, Shady Grove and Painters Mill Music Fairs, Merriweather Post Pavilion,
Peabody Concert Hall, Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College. BAT has presented
three full-scale productions of the musical, Peter Pan, with original Flying
by Foy at The Lyric Opera House. It has also toured internationally to the United
Kingdom and Australia with its original musical production of The Phantom of
the Opera.
THE
CONSERVATORY, Baltimore Actors' Theatre, is Maryland's
first and only accredited College Preparatory School of the Arts, Grades Pre-One
through Twelve. Established in 1979, The Conservatory has garnered a reputation
for the excellence of its academic and arts curriculum. In 1999 and 2001, The
Conservatory was named one of Baltimore's Best Elementary and Secondary Schools
by Baltimore Magazine. A strong academic program is provided in the morning
hours, followed by professional training in all three disciplines: Music, Drama,
Dance. Advanced Placement courses are offered in English (American and British),
Biology, History (American and European), French, and Music Theory. To date, thirty
students have graduated and entered prestigious colleges and universities of their
choice, including New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Syracuse University,
Boston Conservatory, Boston University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Butler
University, Point Park College, Immaculata College, Loyola-Marymount College.
The Conservatory provides year-round performing opportunities for its students
in both adult and children's theatre at The Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre .
The Conservatory has been selected as a model college preparatory school for the
arts by the Maryland State Department of Education. It is accredited by the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of The College Board
and the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. It was named one of the Best
Elementary Schools in Baltimore. The Conservatory has an association with Trinity College, London which provides its students with graded examinations in Speech &
Drama and Music from Initial through Grade 8 and is recognized in over 40 countries
worldwide. The Conservatory also offers Associate and Licentiate Diplomas through
Trinity College, London in Speech & Drama, Music, and Musical Theatre. An
ongoing Professional Development Division offers students training in Music, Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre
Technique.
BALTIMORE ACTORS'
THEATRE ACADEMY was founded in 1965 as an avocational
theatre arts program for young people ages 7 through 15. Instruction in Music,
Drama and Dance comprises the arts curriculum. The program encompasses 24 Saturdays,
October through April, with classes held at the Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre from
1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. Classes culminate in a final Gala Presentation. SUMMER
MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP is a two-week theatre arts program for young
people ages 7 through 15. Instruction in Music, Drama, Dance
and Guitar comprises the arts curriculum. Classes are from late July through early
August, 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 P.M. at the Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre. Classes
culminate in a final Gala Presentation.
THE
OREGON RIDGE DINNER THEATRE is the performing home of
the Baltimore Actors' Theatre. It was leased from Baltimore County in 1982 to
provide a performing and training venue for The Conservatory students and faculty
as well as community members of BAT's Repertory Company. It also plays host to
the Wixie Children's Musical Theatre. BAT at Oregon Ridge has been named Baltimore
County'' Performing Arts Theatre.
THE
WIXIE CHILDREN'S MUSICAL THEATRE has been in existence
since 1965. Over the years, accolades have included Baltimore's Best Children's
Theatre (Baltimore Magazine); an appearance at Wolf Trap International Children's
Theatre Festival with an original musical adaptation of The Emperor' New Clothes;
an appearance at the White House with Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson. The Wixie Children's
Musical Theatre has performed at Merriweather Post Pavilion, Painters Mill and
Shady Grove Music Fairs. It is currently in residence at the Oregon Ridge Dinner
Theatre.
TRINITY
COLLEGE, LONDON: Since 1997, The Conservatory has offered
graded examinations in Speech & Drama, Voice, Music Theory, Piano, and Choral
Assessment to its students through Trinity College, London. The Conservatory also
offers Associate and Licentiate Diplomas through Trinity College, London in Speech
& Drama and Music.
BAT
PRODUCTIONS TOURING COMPANY is a special wing of The
Baltimore Actors' Theatre. Over the years, national tours have included nine seasons
of musical productions on the Condominium Circuit in Florida. International Tours
of BAT's original musical adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera were performed
abroad in England (Bristol, Oxford); Scotland (Edinburgh Festival Fringe); Australia
(Sydney).
THE EDUCATIONAL
REPERTORY THEATRE program was founded in 1974 by The
Baltimore Actors' Theatre as a performing wing which tours schools throughout
Maryland, providing in-school programs for ages 4 through 8.
BABES
IN TOYLAND, the Victor Herbert operetta, is Maryland's longest-running Holiday
Musical Spectacular. It was first produced in 1965 at the Lyric Opera House and
has been an ongoing annual presentation. It has been produced in numerous venues
including Painters Mill Music Fair, The Hippodrome, and Kraushaar Auditorium.
Babes boasts a company of 100, including a 20-piece orchestra, fairy tale
settings and costumes. Production highlights include the Toyland Parade, the Dragon
Ballet, a visit by Santa, and the magical Toyland Wedding. Babes is a Baltimore
tradition.
BAT AWARDS AND
TESTIMONIALS have been garnered over the years in recognition
of the organization's distinguished performance in its many varied activities.
These encompass both local and international distinction.