tbecker@ciweb.org

Dear Mr. Becker,

It has come to my attention that historic Chautauqua Amphitheatre may be at risk for demolition. I join Theatre Historical Society of America (THSA) and with the wider community, expressing concern for the future of the building, as we believe it to be a nationally significant architectural and cultural landmark.

THSA Board President and noted theatre scholar-architect, Craig Morrison, AIA shared the following:

“The aura of history that fills a structure like the Chautauqua Amphitheatre is intangible yet unmistakable. If it is lost, it can have no true replacement. A replica building, no matter how carefully designed, would inevitably be sterile. The original’s spirit would be gone; its irreplaceable soul lost forever. Such grand institutions as Carnegie Hall and the Philadelphia Academy of Music have embraced the needs of the present within their historic original walls. Other places more similar in form and origin to the Chautauqua Amphitheatre—the Mormon Tabernacle, the Great Auditorium at Ocean Grove, the Auditorium at Round Lake—present superb performances even as they celebrate their past in structures that remain intact from the day of their building.”

The Chautauqua Amphitheatre is one of the best remaining examples of 19th century outdoor theatre architecture in America. The names of historical figures that have lectured and performed in this building are second to none.

In addition to its architectural significance, the Chautauqua Amphitheatre has been part of the Institute’s cultural fabric for more than 100 years. This venerable building, along with the entire Chautauqua Movement has been widely respected, embraced, and loved by Americans across the country.

It is our hope that the Chautauqua Institution understands the importance of the Amphitheatre’s architectural and cultural significance. We fully support the efforts of our preservation colleagues and we join them in asking you to reject any plan that would demolish a historic structure to be replaced with a modern replica.

The Theatre Historical Society of America celebrates our nation’s rich heritage of theater buildings. On behalf of our membership, I urge that the Chautauqua Institution work to preserve and restore its beloved Amphitheatre. The refinements that may be needed for public safety and production enhancement can be introduced in a minimal and imaginative way. The Amphitheatre is a notable and irreplaceable piece of the community’s and the nation’s theatre history. Future generations deserve the opportunity to experience its unique presence.

Sincerely,