SSA HISTORY

The Shakespeare Society of America (“SSA”) was incorporated in California in May 1968. SSA was granted “Charitable Educational Organization” status by the California Franchise Tax Board in 1968 and by the Internal Revenue Service in 1969 under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SSA originally was located on Alta Loma Road, one block off the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood where a Tudor Style Mansion served as Headquarter Offices, Rare Book Library, Museum and Outdoor Theatre. In 1971, the land was sold and the mansion demolished to make way for a housing development. SSA was forced to move.

Robert Thaddeus “R. Thad” Taylor, Founder/President of SSA, rented a warehouse in West Hollywood where he envisioned, designed, built and operated the historic Globe Playhouse and the SSA headquarters from 1972-2007. The SSA Globe Theatre built within the Playhouse was world famous as an authentic one-half scale replica of the interior of Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre of 1599-1613. The SSA Globe Theatre was the first in the world to stage all 38 Shakespeare Plays in succession.

Former members of the SSA include: President Richard Nixon, Governor Ronald Reagan; US Senator Everette Dirksen; Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty; Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton; Elizabeth Taylor; Bob Hope; Phyllis Diller; Scholars, Doctors, Lawyers and an Indian Chief!

SSA Globe Playhouse Alumni includes many well known actors from radio, television, stage and screen such as: Robert Vaughn, Steve Allen, John Houseman, Gloria Grahame, Ray Walston, Talia Shire, Annie Potts, Ed Harris, John Ritter, Lane Davies, John Blythe Barrymore, Sally Kirkland, Julia Duffy, George Coulouris, and more.

Globe Playhouse audiences were often comprised of top executives from the motion picture, television and entertainment industry including producers, directors, casting directors and actors from almost all of the entertainment studios, networks and agencies.

The SSA Collection consists of a Rare Book and Reference Library, Shakespeare Memorabilia Museum, Art Collection, and Theatre Arts Archive consisting of playbills, photographs, slides, books and posters capturing the performing arts history of the SSA Globe Playhouse since 1974.

R. Thad Taylor passed away October 5 th, 2006 and the landowner terminated the SSA lease. The SSA was forced to vacate the premises occupied since 1972. SSA had to pack and ship assets - but to where?

Relocation

By May 2007, SSA officers had researched potential relocation sites across the nation before finally leasing a warehouse in Santa Cruz County California where asset inventory and reorganization has started.

Copyright Shakespeare Society of America 2007. All Rights Reserved.