Top-notch professional regional theatre thrives in Gainesville, housed in a beautifully restored old Federal building

[ By Barbara Drake
Photography by Randy Batista, Courtesy Hippodrome Theatre ]

You don't have to be a theatre buff to fall in love with the Hippodrome State Theatre, the architectural centerpiece of Gainesville's historic downtown. Built of limestone and yellow brick, with massive Corinthian columns and elaborate scrollwork decorating its three-story frame, the 1911 building is a stunning example of Beaux-Arts style, seducing the eye with its balance of heroic scale and exquisite detailing. Yet, as pleasing as the Hippodrome is to behold, the theatre is more than just a pretty façade. As one of four officially recognized state theatres, the "Hipp" (as insiders call it) offers some of the finest and most innovative theatrical productions in Florida, presenting world and regional premiers by major playwrights. The 29-year-old private nonprofit institution also serves as an inspiring example of what can happen when a group of dedicated artists joins forces with forward-thinking citizens and public officials to save a part of their city's history.

The story of the Hippodrome begins on April 18, 1973, when six students from the University of Florida decided to start a local theatre company. Current producing director Mary Hausch, one of the founding members, recalls those humble beginnings: "Our first home was a 7-Eleven store," she laughs. "But we were absolutely passionate about creating art - wherever." As a tongue-in-cheek reference to their plebian home, the troupe chose the name Hippodrome, an ancient Roman arena for horse and chariot racing.

Ignited by the experimental trends that were revolutionizing theatre in the 1970s, the Hippodrome staged works that were daring and socially relevant. Its intimate productions, performed in ¾ round, drew standing-room-only crowds, prompting a move two years later to a larger warehouse. The theatre soon made a name for itself nationwide, attracting playwrights Tennessee Williams, Eric Bentley and Jean Claude van Itallie to develop and produce world premieres on its main stage. During this time, talk turned to renovating the old downtown Federal building - then in line for the wrecker's ball -- and turning it into a permanent home for the Hippodrome.

The building, indeed, was eminently worth preserving. Designed by Federal Architect Thomas Ryerson and completed at a cost of $160,000, the old Federal building was considered very grand for Gainesville in 1911. It boasted elaborate exterior and interior detailing, and such "fineries" as bronze entry doors, richly plastered walls, marble and terrazzo floors, steam heat and one of Florida's first elevators. The entire first floor, wainscoted with marble, served as the city's post office; the second floor was devoted to the Federal Court, with a large courtroom, two judges' chambers and a district attorney's office. The third floor housed the U.S. Land Office. When the federal offices moved to a new building in 1964, the city leased the property to the Alachua County School Board, whose stewardship of the building, from a preservationist standpoint, was less than ideal. (Modifications to the old Federal building made by the board included covering marble floors with asbestos-lined linoleum and painting the oak walls institutional green.) Fortunately, by the mid 1970s, a local movement was afoot to restore Gainesville's historic downtown buildings to their original splendor. With funds granted by the City of Gainesville, experts at the University of Florida College of Architecture drew up a downtown redevelopment plan that included transforming the old Federal building into a performing arts center, and the Hippodrome got on board the citywide project. In early 1978, the theatre company launched a major capital campaign to match a $175,000 renovation grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to restore the landmark building. In September of 1979, the Old U.S. Post Office was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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The Hippodrome State Theatre is located at 25 S.E. Second Place, in Gainesville's historic downtown. Major productions in 2002 include the 2001 Pulitzer Prize-winning detective drama, Proof, by David Auburn (April 19 to May 12). Shows run Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with Saturday and Sunday matinees. Call 352.375.4477 to order tickets by phone. .

Ticket holders are welcome to tour the historic building before or after performances. To visit the theatre at other times, call 352.373.5968 to arrange a complimentary tour. For online information about the Hippodrome, visit http://www.hippodrometheatre.org.