History
Red Barn Beginnings
The Red Barn was originally built as a carriage house in 1829. When the advent of the automobile made the carriage house obsolete, the “barn” was adopted by the Key West Community Players, who offered a variety of plays on its stage throughout the 1940s. After World War II, the Community Players moved to the Waterfront Playhouse at Mallory Square while the little barn waited for its next chance to shine. In the 1960s, the Red Barn’s theatrical ambitions were revived by Ruth Guttman who, along with her husband Yehuda Guttman, presented wonderful puppet shows throughout the 1970s. Yehuda, a gifted concert pianist, also played many beautiful concerts at the Red Barn.
Red Barn Theatre is Born
In 1980, a spirited group of actors and technicians renovated the theatre, opening the doors of the Red Barn Theatre under the incorporated name of the Red Barn Actors Studio, Inc. Mimi and Gary McDonald along with Joy Hawkins were a part of that original spirited group, and their enthusiasm for and love of the Red Barn Theatre is still an important part of what keeps the Red Barn growing! In 2002, the Red Barn underwent a $660,000 renovation to add permanent space for a rehearsal hall, scenery shop workspace, costume storage, dressing rooms, restrooms and a box office. Many members of the community pitched in and upon completion, the Red Barn won the prestigious Historic Preservation Award for architect Michael Miller’s inspired design and Deal Builders’ construction.
Red Barn Theatre Today
The Red Barn Theatre has become a cultural cornerstone for the Key West community while building a national reputation for creating BIG things in a small space. Many well-known and very talented people are a part of the Red Barn Theatre’s story. Richard Wilbur, the former U.S. Poet Laureate, worked with the Red Barn to produce his Moliere translations and Shel Silverstein, the gifted children’s writer, gave the Red Barn carte blanche to produce many of his very grown-up plays. Jimmy Buffett, Philip Burton, Terrence McNally, Jerry Herman, and Tennessee Williams have all made the Red Barn a part of their cultural experiences in Key West.
Recently hailed by Florida Monthly Magazine as one of the three best professional theatres in the state of Florida, Key West’s beloved Red Barn Theatre continues to produce regional premieres of vibrant new plays and musicals. Whether premiering new scripts or working with the classics, the Red Barn Theatre has spent the last thirty-one years committed to nurturing artistic excellence within the local and national arts community. Up this year, the regional premiere of Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class by Dan Goggin, the terrific new American comedy Becky’s New Car, the Tony award-winning play Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute and much more!
