This Day in History: 1934-03-14

Work was well along on the new stage for the Ramapo Reformed Church Chapel.  The need for a stage which local thespians could produce amateur theatricals had been keenly felt for a number of years.  The Chapel seemed an ideal place.  An added feature was the fact that the stage and lighting facilities were designed to be disassembled when not in use so as not to interfere with the work of the Sunday school.  Abram Valentine, the local builder was the carpenter on the job and Millard Cooper was provided the lights.  The Committee in charge consisted of Norman Sherow, Robert Dunning and Robert Siebert.  To help pay for the new facility, three one act plays were scheduled for April 6 and 7.  They were to be directed by Inez Hallenbeck, well known for the many plays she had directed for the Literature and Drama division of the Woman’s Club.  A measure of how far away this event was from our time was the promise that Mrs. Hallenbeck’s husband, Charles, would do one of his “clever Negro interpretations”.

(Bristow)