The Hilberry Theatre was a 534-seat auditorium located at 4743 Cass Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. Created in 1963, the Hilberry served as the theatre space for approximately 40-50 graduate students pursuing degrees in theatre fields at the Wayne State University main campus.
- Venue
- Hilberry Theatre
- Address
- 4743 Cass Ave
- Town
- Detroit, US
The Hilberry Theatre was a 534-seat auditorium located at 4743 Cass Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. Created in 1963, the Hilberry served as the theatre space for approximately 40-50 graduate students pursuing degrees in theatre fields at the Wayne State University main campus. In December, 2022, the Hilberry closed its doors for renovations. Its successor for live theatrical performances is the adjacent Hilberry Gateway, which opened in April 2023. The Hilberry Theatre will be renovated as the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, a leading performance venue designed specifically for jazz. In February 1917, the First Church of Christ Scientist was built on the corner of Cass Avenue and Hancock Street, in the heart of Midtown Detroit. The Christian Scientists of Detroit were a growing community in need of a location to hold their services. The building held up to 1,512 members and included a 60-foot stage and 22 rooms. Later on in 1961, it was purchased and remodeled by Wayne State University. The price was $250,000. The building was renamed the Hilberry Theatre, after Wayne State's president from 1952 to 1965, the former English professor Clarence B. Hilberry. It reopened in January 1964; theatre professor Leonard Leone was instrumental in the effort. The first play performed at the Hilberry Theatre was called Shakespeare 400, in honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth. Today, the Hilberry Theatre is one of three different historic buildings now used for classes by Wayne State students. The Hilberry was also considered to be one of the best training grounds for new and upcoming actors/actresses, directors, designers, and stage managers in the US. In December 2022, the Hilberry Theatre closed its doors for renovations. The final play to grace the stage at the Hilberry was The Merry Wives of Windsor, an homage to the history of the building as a world class training of classic and contemporary artists. The Hilberry is currently undergoing renovati