Hart House Theatre

Hart House Theatre is a 428-seat theatre in Toronto, Ontario, located on the University of Toronto's St. George campus in Hart House. The theatre serves the university and the Toronto community at large. Hart House Theatre opened in November 1919. The Theatre was not in the original construction plans for the building. Construction was financed by the Massey Foundation and was supervised by Vincent Massey and his wife Alice. Massey and his brother Raymond Massey would act and direct in the theatre. The theatre's architects were Sproat and Rolph of Toronto. The first artistic director was Roy Mitchell, who was there for two seasons before resigning over disagreements with the Board of Syndics. Healey Willan was music director from 1919 to 1925. Before World War II, the Theatre's activities were dominated by accomplished and aspiring actors. Actors included Andrew Allan, Judith Evelyn, Kirby Hawkes, H. E. Hitchman, Ivor Lewis, Jane Mallett, Raymond Massey, Florence McGee, Lorna McLean, George Patton, Rauff Acklom, Randolph Crowe, Freddie Mallet, Agnes Muldrew, Frank Peddie, Alfred Rostance, Grace Webster and Elaine Wodson. Students also took part, including Lloyd Bochner. Group of Seven members Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, Arthur Lismer and J. E. H. MacDonald painted sets in the 1920s. In 1946, control of Hart House Theatre was transferred to the University of Toronto. Student

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