The Alley Theatre—one of the oldest and most highly regarded regional theaters in the United States—was founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, who sent penny postcards inviting others to join the effort. “She was a pioneer,” says managing director Dean Gladden. “She established the theater with a resident company and located it in a space at the end of an alleyway near downtown. Today, the Alley is one of the few theaters in the United States with a resident company.” Gladden compares the concept to baseball, saying, “After being together for a long time, professional baseball players know where the other person on the team is going to be and what he is going to do. In acting, it’s the same with a resident company. We’re committed to keeping this tradition.”

Vance realized her vision of creating a world-renowned theater company in Houston long before she passed away in 1980: the Alley moved into its current home in 1968. Now, more than 40 years later, the theater is upgrading its facility. “Renovations to the Hubbard Stage will enhance the artistic product we present,” says Gladden. The stage will be closer to the audience and will include trap doors on the floor and fly space above to accommodate moving scenery. I-beams located on the stage will be removed, and state-of-the-art sound, lighting and digital equipment will be installed. “As we look forward to the next 50 years,” says Gladden, “we’re creating an improved space for our audiences to enjoy theater.”

The Alley is expanding its resident company to include directors, designers and playwrights, and it is investing more in larger shows with bigger casts. “Enhancing our artistic product brings more people to the theater,” says Gladden. Under artistic director Gregory Boyd, the Alley presents at least 10 plays each season to more than 180,000 adults and students. The programming includes literary classics, modern masterpieces, musicals, new works and world premieres.

The Alley also performs in schools and sends in specially trained educators to teach playwriting, to prepare students before they attend the theater and to lead discussions afterwards to enhance their experiences. Other educational programs are offered at the theater. “Telling a story is one of the best ways to teach kids how to write and think,” says Gladden. He adds, “The Alley is one of the leading theaters in the country. When we put a play onstage, we know that our audience is going to be engaged and have a terrific time.”