![[color photo of Olney Theatre]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i002125a.jpg)
Olney Theatre Center for the ArtsThe Olney Theatre became the State Summer Theater of Maryland in 1978 (Chapter 1003, Acts of 1978; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-309). Located in Montgomery County (12 miles from Washington, DC; 35 miles from Baltimore), the Olney Theatre is a nonprofit professional theater producing a seven-show season. Renovated in 1993, Olney Theatre then extended its season to year-round. Performances in the 2000 season will include Moliere's Tartuffe, and the musical West Side Story. Celebrating Noel Coward's centennial, a production of Hay Fever will run from May 30 - July 1. Some 118,000 patrons attend the theater annually.
Opened in 1941, the 450-seat Olney Theatre hosts several community projects. These include the free Summer Shakespeare Festival; the National Players Touring Company, a classical touring group of young actors; and the National Players School Project, an education program performing for Maryland public schools. Also at Olney is the Potomac Theatre Project of experimental and provocative plays.
© Copyright Maryland State Archives