1956-1976: Educational Programming at the For-Profit Playhouse
There is no indication of any Education programming at the Playhouse prior to 1974. Understandably, a for-profit theater would not be inclined to offer classes and other educational opportunities, which rarely support themselves.
There was one notable exception, however. In November, 1974 – a mere five months after Corky Dozier was performing as lead singer in “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” — she founded the Coconut Grove Playhouse Children’s Theater and became its director. Children attended three days a week and learned speech, diction, theater history, music, voice, dancing, and creative drama. They produced shows, creating their own costumes, sets, publicity – even running the concession counter during intermission! The program was affordable, and soon 100 children from ages 5 – 15 had enrolled. Low-income children were sponsored through box office revenue from the children’s own productions. By early 1978, though, the growing program was no longer under the auspices of the Playhouse and moved to its own space. Dozier successfully ran the program well into the 1990s.