About the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston is a non-profit theater company dedicated since 1952 to preserving and sharing the delightful legacy of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic operas. The primary and constant goal of the Society is to provide high quality live-theater productions, in the spirit of family entertainment, and at a price that families can afford.
The Society has long been widely recognized as a pre-eminent community-based theater company, receiving an Emmy-nomination for its 1974 PBS televised production of PRINCESS IDA and six “Best of Festival” awards, including International Champions at the 2004 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England. The nominations and awards received by the Society over its three successful trips to the Festival in Buxton make it the most honored American Society ever to attend the event. The Society showcases talent ranging from the age of 18 to 71.
The Society caters to youth in the industry and has awarded over 100 scholarships to vocal performance and theatre tech students. In addition to awarding annual scholarships to local voice students, the Society provides banks of tickets to less-privileged children in the Houston area who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the magic of high-caliber live theater. Since its official inception in 1952, the primary goal of the Society has remained unchanged – provide top-notch live-theater productions, in the true spirit of family entertainment, at a price that families can afford. All ticket revenue, and most non-scholarship funding, is applied to that single goal.
The Society participated in the inaugural seasons of both Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in 1966 and Wortham Theater Center in 1987 and has established itself as the oldest continuously operating opera company in Houston.
A little history …
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston began as a simple gathering of friends in 1951. After just a few months of sing-alongs and readings, the group decided to take their enjoyment public. Thus on a warm August night in 1952, with a small orchestra and simple costumes, The Gondoliers was presented in the Cullen Theater at the University of Houston. Seated among the surprisingly sizable audience was a reviewer from the Houston Chronicle, who suggested a Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera become an annual event!
Every July since, the Society has presented one of the Savoyard titles to an ever-growing audience. Over the years the venue has changed and number of performances has been expanded, but our dedication to presenting these well-loved works has remained.
The Society remains proud that grandparents can bring their grandchildren to its shows and they can all laugh at the same jokes and hum the same tunes.
May the tradition continue for years and years to come!
People
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a group of dedicated volunteers – some current cast members, some former cast members, some Houston-area lovers of comic light opera – who work together to further the mission of the Society to bring high-quality Gilbert and Sullivan performances to the city of Houston. Each member of the board serves two-year terms, which can be renewed at the request of the Society.
Artistic Team
The Artistic Team comprises the Chorus Master, Stage Director, and Music Director.
Scholarships
Each year, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston awards up to $2000 in scholarship money to promising vocal students attending a college or university in the Houston area, or to students from the Houston area attending a college or university elsewhere. This scholarship money is intended for a student(s) majoring in vocal performance. The individual grant amount awarded can vary.