ARTS SPOTLIGHT
From its home in a converted sawmill, Elmhurst’s theatre troupe has tackled contemporary topics and classic musicals for half a century.
THE MILL AT ��
Over the years, the Mill has hosted a broad array of productions, from classic plays and Broadway musicals to contemporary dramas and children’s theatre. Here are a few highlights from the Mill’s first 50 years. B ROA DWAY CON N E CT I ON S
In the 1960s, Elmhurst College theatre productions shared space with athletics in the College gym. But then in 1967 the College acquired the Hammerschmidt Lumber Company, which included several old buildings on Walter Street. One was converted to house the main stage, and the modern era of theatre at Elmhurst College began.
In 1975, the Mill presented A Raisin in the Sun, a drama about a black family living on Chicago’s South Side during the 1950s. A highlight of the show was the appearance of renowned actress Claudia McNeil in the role of Mama— a part she premiered on Broadway in 1959. Charles Schmidt, who directed the Elmhurst production, tapped into his theatre network to bring McNeil to Elmhurst, according to Alan Weiger ’72, chair of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences.
T W E L F T H N I G HT
A RAISIN IN THE SUN
GODS P E L L
C E L E B RAT I ON
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