Founded

The REV Theatre Company was founded in 1958 as the Auburn Children’s Theatre (A.C.T.) by Susan Riford and members of the Auburn Service League. Initially, the Theatre provided weekend dramatic classes for local children and in 1961 an in-school program was added. That in-school program grew into a state-wide touring children’s theatre by 1965, and in 1974 was fully professionalized and became known as the Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre Program and would eventually evolve into being our Sequential Dramatics Program.

In 1970, Mrs. Riford received permission from the Cayuga County Legislature to convert the then empty carousel building at Emerson Park into a theatre. The building once contained a classic merry-go-round – owned by the Padlick family – that delighted area children for many years. That merry-go-round was sold in April 1972 to the Nassau County Historical Society. The building was cleaned and painted by dozens of volunteers after the merry-go-round was removed and a stage was added to the east side of the building. Subsequently, the Society sold off parts of the merry-go-round while some parts still remain in storage. The military band music organ was on display – and in working order – in Tampa, Florida and at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

In the summer of 1971, the first Merry-Go-Round Playhouse season was held. The first years were a “decidedly home grown effort, but successful” according to accounts at the time. During those early years, a young man by the name of Preston Thomas became a member of A.C.T. and since the age of eight had traveled as an actor with the wagon troupe for several summers. Even after starting his college career he took the time during vacations to help with the technical work of the theatre.

Shortly before his tragic death in the spring of 1974, Preston had designed “a creative environment for children” for the outside area adjacent to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, where a program of arts and crafts for young people had been planned. It was approved by the County Legislature and A.C.T. agreed to implement it if funds could be raised to develop the property. Preston’s many friends, and his family, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard B. Thomas, started a fund to complete the outdoor plans. In July of 1974, A.C.T. and the Cayuga County Legislature voted in favor of naming the facility in honor of Preston Thomas. A.C.T. felt strongly in providing opportunities for talented young people to gain needed experience and expertise in the composite art of theatre. While the Preston Thomas Arts Center did not come to fruition, the founding principles of dedication to Arts and Youth carry on today.

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse further evolved to become a professional summer stock theatre in 1975 and much of the casts and artistic staff traveled up from New York City’s Manhattan for the first professional summer season. In the fall of 1981, Mrs. Riford retired. Ed Sayles took over the helm and became the Producing Director. Under Sayles’ direction the Playhouse became nationally recognized for excellent quality of both its musical and youth theatres. Merry-Go-Round Playhouse attendance grew from 9,000 in 1982 to over 60,000 annually. The Youth Theatre became one of the largest in the country and performs for nearly 80,000 students annually. The annual budget of the organization grew from $180,000 in the early 1980s to over $5 million.

A $3 million dollar renovation was completed at the Playhouse in 2004. Many generous patrons, companies, and foundations supported the renovation with funds raised through the Renaissance Capital Campaign. Individual plaques in our lobby honor each donor for their support. Leonard and Ruth Thomas also donated a substantial amount towards the renovation and in honor of their son, Preston. The Playhouse was then designated as “The Preston H. Thomas Theatre at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse”.

The renovation allowed for a remarkable transformation of the facility taking the theatre’s technical abilities to new heights and providing greater comfort and accessibility for audiences. The renovation included an expansion of seating capacity of the Playhouse from 365 to 501, the addition of a full fly system, an expanded box office and lobby, new heating and cooling systems, larger wing space, the creation of an orchestra pit, remodeled and enlarged dressing rooms, and the stage size was nearly doubled. Also in 2004, the Playhouse finished formal agreements with Actors Equity Association, the American Federation of Musicians, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers to perpetuate the high caliber of shows being produced.

Educational Theatre

Around this time, the Youth Theatre Program started its expansion into other school districts. Today it is one of the largest resident touring theatre education programs in North America. Lisa Chase, Artistic Director of Education, began as an actor in the program and in 2008 took over its leadership. This well respected program offers workshops and performances to students in grades K-12, with each opportunity tailored to the grade level of participants. Currently, these programs reach 80,000 students in 74 districts and 23 counties in Central New York each year. For many, this is their only exposure to theatre, as the program operates predominately in rural school districts. The Education Department has grown to be made up of three major components; the Sequential Dramatics Program, Summer Outreach Tour, and Musical Theatre Intensive.

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival

In 2012, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Inc. launched the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. The Festival used two additional performing spaces in downtown Auburn to supplement the Playhouse’s season. The MGR Downtown series utilized the newly renovated space at the Auburn Public Theatre for “off-Broadway” productions, while The PiTCH series (for a generation of new musicals) was held in the newly renovated Theatre Mack behind the Cayuga Museum of History and Art. Ground was ceremoniously broken for a third downtown space in 2013 – the Schwartz Family Performing Arts Center. The new theatre was planned to seat 300 and be located in the heart of Auburn’s “Creative Corridor.” Unfortunately, the Center was delayed and eventually cancelled by legal obstacles.

In June of 2014, Ed Sayles retired from the organization. Sayles was awarded the lifelong status of Producing Director Emeritus. Brett Smock, a Merry-Go-Round veteran, succeeded him. Brett began his tenure with the company upon graduation from college as a dancer in the 1992 season. He began to climb the ranks and returned each subsequent summer moving from performer to choreographer in 1994, to director/choreographer in 1996. He remained invested in the company, helming over 25 productions as a resident director/choreographer. In 2012, he joined the organization in a full-time capacity as General Manager/Associate Artistic Director. And in 2014, he assumed the position of Producing Artistic Director.

Education Programming Growth

In 2015, a partnership was formed with Nazareth College and plans for expansion into Rochester were developed. The educational partnership with Nazareth College was initiated to enhance training and educational opportunities for students which will create an intensive professional track training program rivaling many national programs.

2019

Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival and Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Inc. rebrands as The REV Theatre Co.

Today

What began as a children’s theatre in 1958 has grown to become a multi-venue, growing, almost $5M operation currently known as The REV Theatre Company. The REV Education Division has grown to become one of the nation’s largest resident touring youth education programs. Not only has the organization grown exponentially, but the breadth and depth of the artistic standards and experiences have set new standards in the region and industry.

The REV at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse now serves as a magnet for audiences and artists to celebrate and intersect with theatre of the highest caliber while also serving as an economic engine for the city of Auburn and the entire Finger Lakes region of Central New York. The REV prides itself as a growing, distinct and powerful arts organization dedicated to engaging audiences, challenging thought, developing new works and creating a workplace that is creative, rigorous and fulfilling.