The Robert Shackleton Playhouse is an important part of our past. As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary Season, we want to showcase this historic building.
Initially built as the Cape Island Presbyterian Church in 1853, the building was purchased by the city in 1952 with intentions to demolish it. Thanks to the foresight of local preservationists, the church found new life as a community center and then as the town’s Welcome Center in 1974.
In 1993 Cape May Stage became the resident theater company in the Welcome Center. And in 2007 it was renamed for the late actor Robert Shackleton who performed on Broadway and London stages, as well as on the big screen in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Shackleton’s love for the arts lives on through his daughter, Leslie Shackleton Martel, the current president of the Cape May Stage board of directors.
And today, the theater stands as a beacon of culture and community, preserving its historic charm while offering audiences an intimate and unforgettable theatrical experience.
Join us as we celebrate the enduring power of the arts and 35 years of theater at Cape May Stage. Be part of the magic at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse!
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