CRAIG100 to Celebrate The Old Globe's Founding Director Next Month

In celebration of his 100th birthday this year, The Old Globe will honor Founding Director Craig Noel and his many contributions to the world of theatre and the culture life of San Diego with Craig100, a special evening of memories and performances, on Monday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m.

The one-night-only event will celebrate Noel's immeasurable accomplishments in the local and national art scenes, including founding and growing The Old Globe as an influential independent producing organization; launching the successful Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program; and creating San Diego Junior Theatre, still operating in Balboa Park today. Richard Seer, Director of Professional Training for the M.F.A. Program, directs the event on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Old Globe Associate Artists Marion Ross and Robert Foxworth serve as Honorary Chairs.

The evening will feature retrospectives on the life and legacy of Craig Noel, whose impact on San Diego and the American theatre is still felt to this day. Throughout the evening, performers will bring to life scenes from some of the milestone productions and programs from Noel's life, giving viewers a lively and moving look back at his storied career. Performers at Craig100 will include Associate Artists Kandis Chappell, George DelHoyo, Deborah May, Jonathan McMurtry, Robin Pearson Rose, and Deborah Taylor; M.F.A. Program faculty member and director Ray Chambers; M.F.A. Program graduate Vivia Font; current students in the M.F.A. Program; young people from San Diego Junior Theatre; and more surprise guests. (Performers subject to change.)

A permanent plaque will also be dedicated in honor of Sister Sally Furay, RSCJ, a longtime friend of Noel with whom he founded the Old Globe/USD Graduate Theatre Program. Furay, who was a USD Provost and served on the Old Globe Board of Directors for decades, passed away on January 10, 2015 at the age of 88.

Following the presentation, guests will enjoy a hosted dessert reception under the stars on the Globe's Copley Plaza.

Tickets to Craig100 are $50 each for regular seating and $100 for preferred seating. They are currently available to donors and subscribers and will go on sale to the public on Friday, July 31 at 12 noon. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. All net proceeds support the Globe's artistic and educational programs. Business attire is requested for Craig100.

Underwriting opportunities are also available for $500 per person and include two preferred seating tickets and a special underwriter's gift. To become an underwriter, contact Eileen Prisby, Events Director, at (619) 684-4146 or eprisby@TheOldGlobe.org.

"Many things make it an honor and a privilege to be Artistic Director of The Old Globe, but one of the most powerful to me is that I sit in a chair once occupied by a legend: Craig Noel," said Barry Edelstein. "Every day I am inspired by some aspect of his enormous legacy. He established the standard of excellence to which this company daily aspires; he created a training program that contributes great stage talent to the national culture; he encouraged young people to engage in the arts; and he took special care to build an institution that both reflected and also served its community. The Globe and I strive to emulate him and his example. I'm looking forward to marking the centennial of his birth by joining a wonderful group of artists in celebration of his contributions."

Born on August 25, 1915, Craig Noel grew to become an instrumental force in cultivating the San Diego arts community. Noel was first appointed director of the Globe in 1939, directing 15 productions prior to World War II. In the years that followed he directed more than 200 plays of all styles and periods and produced an additional 270 productions. His vision for The Old Globe resulted in the establishment of the Shakespeare Festival and San Diego Junior Theatre in the late '40s, the expansion to two theatres in the '50s, Globe Educational Tours in the '70s, and Teatro Meta and the Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program in the '80s. During the 1940s, Noel served as dialogue director for the 20th Century Fox Studios and was the director of the Ernie Pyle Theatre in Tokyo. Described by Variety as the éminence grise of San Diego theatre, Noel is one of the few San Diegans to have had an entire year (1987) proclaimed in his honor and to be named one of San Diego's "Living Treasures." He was a founder of the California Theatre Council and a former vice president of the California Confederation of the Arts. His numerous honors include the San Diego Union-Tribune list of 25 persons who shaped the city's history; the Governor's Award for the Arts; University of Arizona Alumni Association's Outstanding Citizen, for his contribution to their Fine Arts department; San Diego State University's Outstanding Alumnus; Conservator of American Arts Award from American Conservatory Theater; the San Diego Press Club Headliner Award; San Diego Gentleman of Distinction Award; and a combined tribute from the Public Arts Advisory Council and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Noel was particularly proud of the following three honors representing education and theatre: Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, University of San Diego; Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts, San Diego State University; and the annual Awards for Excellence in Theatre named in his honor by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. In 2007, he received the National Medal of Arts -- the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence -- in a ceremony at the White House. Noel died on April 3, 2010 at the age of 94.

The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances ($12), located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org. For directions and up-to-date information, visit www.TheOldGlobe.org/Directions.

PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, do not use the Delivery Address above. There is only a 10-minute zone at that physical address. For GPS users, click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 75 years. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael G. Murphy, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 14 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre's education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

Photos courtesy The Old Globe