1818

The Savannah Theatre opened its doors on December 4th, 1818 with a production of the comedy "The Soldier's Daughter" and a farce, "Raising The Wind."

A drawing of the original theatre
1818
1819
1819
William Jay.

The original structure was designed by renowned architect William Jay. Among Jay's other celebrated works is the Telfair Mansion, built for Alexander Telfair in 1819.

1838

In its first 20 years the Theatre would change hands several times, twice at auction. But in 1838 a more stable stock company was organized and the theatre was incorporated in December of that year.

Seal from the Theatre's Articles of Incorporation (1838)
1838
1876
1876
Edwin Booth as Hamlet

Edwin Booth played several engagements at the Theatre in February of 1876. Although probable, it is unknown as to whether or not Booth's brother, John Wilkes, played here as well.

1896

During a January 1896 engagement, the famed duo of Henry Irving and Ellen Terry was accompanied by their manager, Bram Stoker, who would later gain fame as the author of "Dracula."

Bram Stoker, Author of "Dracula"
1896
1911
1911
Newspaper Ad for Ty Cobb in "The College Widow"

One of the most unique performances in the Theatre's history took place in November 1911, when baseball legend Ty Cobb appeared in *The College Widow.*

1940

Over the past two centuries, the Theatre has undergone multiple renovations due to damage caused by fires.

The Theatre in the 1940s
1940
1948
1948
Aftermath of the 1948 Fire

Following the 1948 fire, the Theatre was remodeled into its current Art Deco style.

1950

The Theatre re-opened as a movie house on October 21, 1950, with a screening of *Mister Eighty-Eight* starring Burt Lancaster and Dorothy McGuire.

Playbill from 1950 Grand Re-Opening
1950
1993
1993
Wardrobe and makeup headquarters for <em>Forrest Gump</em>

In the fall of 1993, the Theatre was leased to Paramount Pictures for the production of Forrest Gump and served as the wardrobe and makeup headquarters for the actors and extras in the Tom Hanks “bench” scenes (Hanks had his own trailer at the opposite end of Chippewa Square).

Today
Today
Wardrobe and makeup headquarters for <em>Forrest Gump</em>

Today, the Savannah Theatre has been restored as a wonderful example of the 1940's Art Deco style. We invite you to stop in and visit the museum in our lobby which includes more artifacts, newspaper articles, and photographs from the past.