TIMELINE: The history of the Bayou Theater

Robert Everding was the first director of the UHCL Theater Arts Program.

Moliere’s “The Miser” was the first production put on by the theater program.

The UHCLidian, now known at The Signal, wrote a generally positive review of the first theater production at the Bayou Theater, Molier's "The Miser."

Jan Simonds became the Director of Dance in 1977 and held the position for 15 years until the program was cut in 1992 alongside the theater program.

A presentation of "Back to Kottke" by the theater program's first candidate for a master's degree, Francine Cammack.

Tracy Rider, advisor in the College of Human Sciences and Humanities (HSH) and UHCL alumna from the UHCL Department of Theater - Drama graduating class of 1992, the final class before the program closed, has fond memories of the Houston Shaw Festival, which was an annual event held during the summer.

“The UH Main campus had their Shakespeare Festival,” Rider said. “We had the Shaw Festival.”

UHCL began running annual youth theater and drama programs in 1985, including workshops and full productions.

Rider performed and supported many productions during her education at UHCL. One Rider remembers the most is the youth production of “Reynard the Fox,” where she played the titular Reynard and has particularly fond memories of her debonaire costume.

Season listing for 1991-1992: The full listing of the last season of production at the Bayou Theater before the UHCL Department of Theater and Drama was closed due to budget constraints.

The first production of the 1991-1992 season was David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.”

Clouded in controversy for its frank and raw portrayal of sexuality and toxic masculinity in Chicago, the play was a bold choice by young director, Mac Groves, who wanted to “make a public statement that UHCH Theater would not shy away from plays like “Sexual Perversity,” as Jonathan Zophy, professor of history and author of “Building a University: A History of The University of Houston Clear Lake, 1974 to the present," states in his book.

Zophy goes on to write that, “a number of ticket holders were so upset by the production that they tore up their season tickets.”

Though the official reasoning for closing down the UHCL dance and theater programs was budgeting concerns, Zophy concludes in his book that the controversies surrounding the production did not help in making the case for continuing theater at the university.

Cheryl Emiliani (front) and Barbara Dolney make costumes for the UHCL theater production of “Antigone,” which ran from Feb. 28 through March 8, 1992. In addition to sewing costumes, Emiliani played the character ‘Antigone.’

Nunsense was the last full production to be offered at UHCL before the theater department was closed due to budget cuts. The show ran from April 16-26, 1992

In 2000, UHCL began inviting events and performances to rent out the Bayou Theater, ushering a new life for the neglected venue.

Hired in 2016 as the new theater director, Alex Malone has nurtured the Bayou Theater, growing it into a major rental venue for community events and traveling performances.

UHCL Storytellers became the first student-led effort to bring performances back to campus with their performances of "Rememberall" April 19 and 20, 2018 in the Bayou Theater.

From start to finish this was led by Andrea Baldwin, lecturer of communication and advisor to UHCL Storytellers, and Assistant Director Christos Patelis, marketing major. This original story was themed around agency and memory with JK Rowling's book series "Harry Potter" being the connecting force. From scripting and acting to set building, the entire production was made up of students.

The UHCL Storytellers have plans for their 2018-2019 season already in motion.

The Bayou Theater underwent major renovations in 2018, redoing the seating in the theater and completely redesigning the entrance on the second floor of the Bayou Building.

“I wanted it to stand out,” Malone said. “It couldn’t blend in with the rest of the school. I wanted people to see it and think it was a mistake.”

Other additions included a renovated ticket booth and an addition of a bar space.

“My biggest challenge is Netflix," Malone said. "What can I do to get people to come back to campus, after they’ve already left, or to come out for the first time, that has a stronger appeal than sitting at home with Netflix?”

Malone is not done yet, though as his next wish list item is a valet program.

UHCL will be presenting its first major musical production since 1992 this April entitled “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.”

“Wonka” is an exciting endeavor for those directly involved and the community that still remembers what a great impact the UHCL theater program had on them. Here, Malone opens the first official rehearsal for the production.

Rider reads through her lines during the first official rehearsal for the “Wonka” production.

The talented and enthusiastic youth cast of “Wonka’s” Oompa-Loompas learn choreography during the first official rehearsal of the production.