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Home > Archives > Online Exhibits > The Mask and Wig, 1917-1947
{ The Mask and Wig, 1917-1947 }

Born in the fall of 1917, Mask and Wig was "was founded on the purpose of studying and presenting the best in acting drama, classic and modern."  As an honors society for the Ripon Dramatics Club--then a part of the Department of Public Speaking--it soon gained a reputation among the students, as well as the Ripon community, for high standard productions. Productions were so successful that for many years, Mask and Wig increased their productions from two per school year (one each semester) to three or sometimes four per school year. The plays became Commencement ritual, as well as ritual for First Year Students, who usually produced one a year.

From its reputation and success, many new organizations came forth, thus fortifying the beginnings of what is today the Theater Department. In 1920, the Wisconsin Alpha Chapter of Theta Alpha Phi established itself at Ripon College, still going strong today. Also, many new classes on theater design and production came forth. The pinnacle of Mask and Wig came with the building of Little Theater, sharing production space with Memorial Auditorium, City Auditorium, and Armory Theater. Today, one can still experience the vague outline of the Little Theater in East Hall, although the Memorial Gymnasium and Armory Theater are no longer present.

Professor H.P. Boody

 

 

The success was widely due to the direction of Prof. H.P. Boody, first Coach of Debating, and then Professor of English and Public Speaking (Ripon College 1915-1946). Known as "a man whose initiative, has advanced dramatics at Ripon to a position of high regard throughout the middle west," he inspired many new actors and actresses, including a then unknown Spencer Tracy.    

  

Also, among the many important figures in the development of Mask and Wig were other Professors of English. Prof. H.H. Allen (Ripon College 1921-1926), was responsible for the building of the several theater stages, such as Little Theater and the College Theater in the Old Chapel. Another prominent figure is Prof. James Clark Graham, Prof. of English and later College Dean of Men (Ripon College 1916-1946), responsible for the organization of the Civic Drama League "another expression of this new interest in the play." Originally intended for the community, it also soon involved the student body.

Success reached its peak in the 1920's and 1930's. Although the Mask and Wig theater never officially disbanded, it dissolved into Theta Alpha Phi in the 1947-48 school year, soon after Prof. Boody left Ripon College in 1946. Its legacy and impact on Ripon College remains.

Listed below you will see the Mask and Wig's many productions. Check out the archives for a collection of programs and photos.

Three Act Plays

Jan. 16, 1917—A Scrap of Paper *First Mask and Wig Production

Jun. 12, 1917—Mice and Men

1917 or 18—The Dressing Gown

1917 or ’18—The Neighbors

1917 or18—Mercedes

1918—A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream

1919—The Lion and the Mouse

1919—The Rivals

Dec.8, 1919—Sweet Lavender

Jun. 5, 1920—The Merchant Gentleman

1920—The Witching Hour

1920—The Antigone of Sophacles

1921—Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme 

1921—The Truth

Dec.1, 1921—The Great Divide

Feb 1922—The Impertence of the Creature

Jun. 1922—The Shepherd in the Distance

Jun. 10, 1922—Clarence

Nov. 24,1922—Come Out of the Kitchen

Nov. 1922—Three Pills in a Bottle 

                          Ile

Dec.3, 1922—The Witching Hour

Feb. 1923—Helena’s Husband

Mar. 9, 1923—The Passing of the Third Floor Back

Mar. 1923—One Spanish Night

Jun. 8, 1923—The Melting Pot

Nov. 27, 1923—Three Live Ghosts

1923-The City Beautiful

Mar. 7, 1924—The Famous Mrs. Fair

Jun. 6, 1924—Only 38

1924—You and I

1924--Light Eternal

Mar. 10, 1925—Rollo’s Wild Oats

1925—Mrs. Temple’s Telegram

Dec. 8, 1925—John Fergusson

Aug. 11,1925—The Intimate Strangers

1925--Old Peabody Pew

1925--Immanuel

Mar. 9,1926—Dulcy

1926—The Spirit of Ripon

Dec. 10,1926—The Fool

1926--The Romaunt of the River

1926--The Old Fashioned Garden

Mar. 1,1927—The Family Upstairs

Jun. 10, 1927—Pollyanna

Nov. 22, 1927—Sun Up

1927—Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh

1927—The Garden of Memory

Nov.8, 1928—The Patsy

Mar. 6, 1928—Tweedles

Jun. 9, 1928—The First Year

Mar. 12, 1929—Applesauce

1929—A Doll’s House

1929—A New Birth of Freedom

1930—Skidding

Jun. 13, 1930—Peg O’ My Heart

Feb. 18 & 19, 1931—Outward Bound

May 4 & 5, 1931—Journey’s End

1931—The Enemy

Mar. 16, 1932—Berkeley Square

Jun. 10, 1932—The Royal Family

1932—The Cradle Song

Dec. 8 & 9, 1932—Children of the Moon

Mar. 8 & 9, 1933—Craig’s Wife

Jun. 8 & 9, 1933—Your Uncle Dudley

Dec. 6, 1933—Death Takes a Holiday

1933--The King of Kings

Mar. 21-22, 1934—Alice in Wonderland

Jun 8-9, 1934—Candida

1934—The Romance of Wisconsin

Nov.21-22, 1934—Holiday

Dec. 14, 1934—The Perfect Alibi

1934--The Tercentennial Pageant

Mar. 5, 1935—The Servant in the House

1935—Smilin’ Through

1935—Men Must Fight

Jun. 13,1936—Hotel Universe

Nov. 17, 1936—The Drunkard

1936—Glee Plays the Game

1937—The Whole Town’s Talking

Mar. 10, 1937—The Return of Peter Grimm

Jun.11, 1937—Spring Dance

1937—Tons of Money

Mar.3, 1938—Twelfth Night

1938—The Importance of Being Ernest

Jun. 11, 1938—The Swan

Dec.8, 1938—Little Women

1938--Ladies in Waiting

1938--The Light of the World

1939—The Night of January 16

June 10, 1939—Miss Lulu Bett

1939--You Can't Take It with You

Jun. 7, 1940—Petticoat Fever

1940—Julius Caesar

1940—Charley’s Aunt

1940—Cock Robin

1941—What a Life

Nov. 14, 1941—The Man Who Came to Dinner

Apr. 17, 1941—Our Town

Feb. 5-6, 1942—Fight for Your Lady

Mar. 20, 1942—Kind Lady

May 7, 1942—George Washington Slept Here

Nov. 19, 1942—The Eve of St. Mark

1943—American Passport

Mar. 11, 1943—Arsenic and Old Lace

1943--The Male Animal

Dec. 13, 1944—Night Must Fall

1944--Heart of the City

Mar. 20, 1945—Personal Appearance

Jun. 5, 1945—Claudia****100th Mask and Wig Production****

1945--The Prince of Peace

Feb. 21, 1946—The Little Foxes

1946 or ’47—Sorority House

One Acts

1923 or 1924                                1924 or 1925

The Dear Departed             The Well Remembered Voice

The Silver Lining                The Old Lady Shows Her Medals

The Will   

 1928                                            1946 or 1947

The Interior                             Before Breakfast

Cabbages                                Two Gentlemen From Soho

Why the Chimes Rang             Deeper Than Atlanta

Special Performances

The Master Builder---Under the Auspices of Mask and Wig

1924 or 1925--The Women's Town (with Ripon High School Students)

1935 or 1936--Friendship Plays

                     *Cloey

                     *The Mayor and the Manicure

                     *Highness

1939—Puppeteers

1946 or 1947--Nativity Play

 

By Emily Bach.