A Brief History

Unity Theatre was co-founded in 1995 by sisters Teresa Beckers and Gretchen Jones. The same year, it was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and began planning productions to secure community interest and raise financial support.

The first home of Unity Theatre was the former Brenham National Bank lobby at 100 South Park Street. The nearby Santa Fe Freight Depot was restored in May of 1996 to serve as a box office, storage for costumes and sets, and work areas.

The company’s first Main Stage show, Talley’s Folly, opened on February 9, 1996. As additional performances were offered, audiences grew.

Unity’s third and fourth seasons brought many new subscribers and increasing numbers of professional actors and designers. By the spring of 1999, Unity Theatre had become an important regional theatre.

In its fifth season, LeRoy and Lucile Melcher bestowed Unity Theatre with a gift of one hundred thousand dollars. This generous donation inspired other contributions from community members and served as a catalyst for growth and expansion.

As the theatre continued to enlarge its staff, they were able to attract talented professionals who were eager to move to Brenham and leave the city life behind. One such individual, Greg Wise, was hired as Artistic Director. He was followed by Leslie Wood who joined as Managing Director. Together, they pushed the theatre into a broader range of offerings, including numerous educational programs.

In the summer of 2000, the Board of Trustees raised private funds to purchase an historic building a few blocks from the original theatre. Built in 1906, the structure was a 23,000 square-foot warehouse that had been home to Schleider Furniture and Brenham Wholesale Grocery for many years. Renovation of the building took almost a year, with the help of many dedicated community volunteers and donors.

The new Unity Theatre, located at 300 Church Street, opened on New Year’s Eve, 2001, with a grand masquerade party. Today, it proudly stands as a reminder of the city’s past, and provides a valuable asset to the community.

Now in its fourteenth season, Unity is led by Greg Wise in the role of Executive Director. The theatre attracts audiences from Houston, Austin, Bryan/College Station and beyond.

Unity Theatre has a solid reputation as a dependable business and a proud community institution. With its growing attendance and high artistic standing, Unity can surely look forward to a secure and promising future.