Meadow Brook Theatre Guild records

The Meadow Brook Theatre Guild is a group of volunteers whose fundraising activities support the Meadow Brook Theatre at Oakland University and promote interest in theatre in the community.

The Meadow Brook Theatre Guild was set up in 1977 to promote community interest in the Theatre, and through fundraising to provide supplemental resources for the actors and crew during their stays at Meadow Brook.

The idea for such a Guild originated when William Boutell of Bloomfield Hills, who served on the Meadow Brook Executive Committee, organized parties at their home for the actors and directors who came to Meadow Brook. Robert A. Dearth, OU’s Director of Cultural Affairs, suggested a more formal structure. The Guild’s first president was Carol McClure of Rochester. A few years later the Guild developed goals and formed bylaws. The Guild was governed by an executive board composed of 5 elected officers and the chair of the standing committees under the guidance of the Director of Community Relations.

One of their first fundraising projects was Luncheon on the Aisle, held prior to open night of each season. Also successful were the touring costume shows, which started in 1982. These presentations of costumes from previous Meadow Brook productions, modeled by Guild members, raised money and were a successful way to promote the activities of the Meadow Brook Theatre.

Over time, relations with the OU leadership evolved and in Fall 1999 the Guild became an independent non-profit whose relations with OU were defined by a legal agreement.