The History of Vagabond Players
America’s Oldest Continuous Little Theatre
Vagabond Players was established in 1916 during the popular “Little Theatre Movement” and quickly established itself as an important part of theatre history. We have celebrated over one hundred seasons of continuously operating theatre here in Baltimore. The first play produced by Vagabond Players was an original piece submitted by H.L. Mencken titled The Artist. Vagabond Players proceeded to encourage and produce the writings of a young — and at the time unknown — Eugene O’Neill, as well as Arthur Schnitzler, and introduced to Baltimore new works by August Strindberg and Maurice Maeterlinck.
During the 1920’s this “Little Theatre” held fast to its amateur status despite Governor Ritchie and Mayor Broening urging the group to turn professional. Thus the Vagabond Players outlived The Provincetown Playhouse in Massachusetts and The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, both of which were Little Theatres that turned professional and shortly there after dissolved.
Thanks to Lynda McClary for this peek into the history of Vagabond Players.
Vagabond Players’ homes through the years
806 South Broadway (1974–2024)
The current Vagabond Theatre and home of the Vagabond Players, the theatre at 806 South Broadway was previously known as Corral’s Bar. The property was owned by the city and was leased for a total of $1 per month. Years later after a failed expressway construction plan, the property was auctioned off by the city. Vagabond Players were able to buy it, and 806 South Broadway became the first theatre to be owned by Vagabond Players since 1923. Initially sat 110, but after renovations in 2016 seats 99.
Seasons from 806 South Broadway1420 Maryland Avenue (1968–1974)
“A beautiful 449-seat theatre in the new library building of the University of Baltimore … right behind the Lyric Theatre … The pale green carpeting, plush blue seats, gracious lobby, fine lighting system make the building ideal.”
— John Bruce Johnson, in a newsletter to the Vagabond Players Board of Directors, 1968
The Langsdale Auditorium, located in the Langsdale Library of the University of Baltimore sat 449. In the rental agreement, Vagabond Players agreed to pay one half of all profits to the university.
Seasons from 1420 Maryland Avenue2901 Liberty Heights Avenue (1966–1968)
The first location not in downtown Baltimore, Vagabond Players moved to Liberty Heights Avenue, partnering with the Community College of Baltimore (now known as the Baltimore City Community College), into a theatre seating 450.
Seasons from 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue1 East Mount Vernon Place (1964–1965)
As a partnership with the Peabody Institute, Vagabond Players were offered the use of the Leakin Theatre (now known as the Hilda and Douglas Goodwin Recital Hall) with seating for 200. Due to a last minute agreement change, Vagabond Players instead performed in the main auditorium of the Peabody Institute, which sat 900.
Seasons from 1 East Mount Vernon Place306 West Franklin Street (1950–1964)
“The Vagabond Players rose like so many phoenixes from the ashes of their destroyed home last night and began their thirty-fifth year in a most remarkable way … They have fashioned a most attractive 200-seat arena.”
— Donald Kirkley, 1950
In 1950, the owners of the current theatre space at West Read Street decided to not renew the rental agreement with Vagabond Players, and the Vagabonds were once again on the search for a new location. The Congress Hotel offered them their former rathskeller (a bar or restaurant located in a basement). Shows were performed “in the round” with seating on all four sides of the stage, with seats for 200.
Seasons from 306 West Franklin Street3 West Read Street (1930–1950)
“Entering the theatre was like going into an old palace with those murals on the walls. There was a kind of medieval atmosphere about it .. And the neighborhood added to the charm. It has a lovely, European flavor.”
— Patti Singewald
Vagabond Players again outgrew their space on East Monument Street, and moved to 3 West Read Street, into a former carriage house of a former Baltimore City Mayor, James H. Preston. Renovations were done to add a 40 foot by 26 foot stage area, and seating for 192 patrons.
Seasons from 3 West Read Street100 East Monument Street (1922–1930)
“The handicaps to progress have been many: the Great War, cramped quarters, internal dissension … But in spite of everything, the Vagabonds have at last accomplished the first step in their ambitions — a theatre of their very own where it is possible for them to reach a standard of production not within their reach before. Here, during their last season, the group has managed to reach a new high-water mark in their Little Theatre endeavors.”
— Critic, 1923
In 1923, Vagabond Players moved into their first self-owned building, a renovated carriage house attached to the home of the late W.S.G. Williams. Larger dressing rooms and backstage area allowed for more space for equipment and actors, allowing Vagabond Players to produce more elaborate shows to an audience of 125.
Seasons from 100 East Monument StreetMorton Lane (1919–1922)
“You turn off Centre Street and enter the alley, more politely called Morton Lane. A narrow flight of stairs leads you up to the entrance of the old ballroom of the St. James Apartments, which the decorative imagination of a Baltimore artist has given a strange Oriental atmosphere. You sit on one end of a bench, which has all the appearance of a pew ravished from some old church. All the other 120 seats are filled with people, old and young, studious and gay.”
— Henry M. Hyde, 1920
In 1920, Vagabond Players outgrew the rented former store in the St. James Hotel and moved up to the ballroom of the hotel. A subscription drive was held to raise money in order to afford the renovations to the ballroom, which provided many more amenities for patrons and sat 120.
Seasons from Morton Lane3 West Centre Street (1916–1919)
“The whole interior breathes an aroma of the medieval. The walls are gray; the ceiling beamed in weathered wood. The seats are Gothic benches. They have blue cushions. The curtain is a tapestry of patches — like the great cloak of a prince of vagabonds. If gives the effect of something rich and faded — a mingling of gray and old gold, Venetian blue and old rose — with here and there a patterned bit of which birds or flowers are faintly discernible. The proscenium border is dull gold with an outer border of dull blue. Sconces break the line of the wall. Here and there hang pieces of tapestry. All in all The Vagabond can boast one of the most charming interiors of any Little Theatre in America.”
— Constance D’arcy MacKay, The Little Theatre in the United States
The first theatre used by Vagabond Players, located in a former store in the St. James Hotel on Centre Street. The space was rented from the hotel, and the interior was designed by Vagabond director and co-founter Carol M. Sax with seating for 60.
Seasons from 3 West Centre StreetLast Updated 6/28/2018 at 10:06 am