Celebrating a half century of productions at Herrick Theatre

With the arrival of the 2025 fall semester, Albion College celebrates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Herrick Theatre.

The Herrick Center was funded by Ray and Hazel Herrick, philanthropists and founders of the Tecumseh Products Company. In 1973, the college received a $500,000 commitment from the Herrick Foundation to build the theatre. It was the first stand-alone facility meant for the Theatre Department built on Albion’s campus. 

 The first play produced at the Herrick Center was Private Lives by Noel Coward, directed by Helen H. Manning. It opened Oct. 3, 1975, and was performed alongside the dedication of the new theatre.

Photo from the Albion College archives.