Fulton Opera House

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The Fulton Opera House, also known as the Fulton Theatre or simply The Fulton, is a League of Regional Theatres class C regional theater located in historic downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A founding member of the League of Historic American Theatres (LORT), The Fulton is operated by the Fulton Opera House Foundation, a non-profit organization whose stated aim is "to produce professional regional theatre of a quality that honors, affirms and extends The Fulton's role in the history of American theatre as a National Historic Landmark, and to provide educational, artistic and cultural benefits that engender community ownership."

The Fulton Theatre is one of only three theatres recognized as a National Historic Landmark by virtue of its mission (the other two are the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and the Golden Rod Showboat in Missouri) and is the oldest continually running theatre in America. As it is run on a non-profit basis, the Fulton depends on a variety of grants, corporate sponsorship, and private donations to accomplish its mission.

The Fulton is an Equity House, operating under agreement with the Actor's Equity Association and the Union for Professional Actors and Stage Managers (which essentially means that its actors and production team are paid, as opposed to non-equity community/volunteer theatre) and employs members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the United Scenic Artists. The Fulton is also a member of ASSITEJ , the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.

The Fulton Opera House is home to its own Actor's Company, which stages seven theatrical productions per year including plays ("Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap" 2007) and musicals ("Oliver" 2006), some of which are world premier originals (critically acclaimed "Lightning Rod" 2005). Although most casting takes place in New York City, regional auditions are also held. While many of The Fulton's regulars are Lancaster County natives who are delighted at the chance to return home to perform, nearly all quickly fall in love with the "Grand Old Lady" and her charm.

In addition to providing a home for talented professional actors, the Fulton Opera House is a complete production facility which employs full-time carpenters, electricians, scenic artists, painters, composers, lighting and sound technicians. Most set pieces and costumes are created in-house or at an adjacent workshop, and makeup, hair, and wigs are created by a full-time designer. The Fulton also maintains a costume shop which provides access to professional quality costumes and props to schools, community theatre companies, and other organizations throughout the region. Its public relations department designs all posters and print materials (which are catalogued and archived by the Lancaster Historical Society) and maintains a professional quality website that allows users to browse theatre history, check audition times, and purchase tickets (www.thefulton.org)

Many famous stars have appeared at the Fulton. In December 1930 Basil Rathbone appeared as Christian St. Obin in A Kiss of Importance.

[edit] References

• Who's Who in the Theatre, edited by John Parker, tenth edition, revised, London, 1947, p.1184.