The Annie Russell Theatre is a historic theater in Winter Park, Florida, United States. The theatre was named after the English-born actress Annie Russell. It was designed by the German-born architect Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott and constructed in 1931. It is located on the premises of Rollins College. On July 15, 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
History Russell emigrated to the United States at an early age. After a lengthy acting career in New York City, she relocated to New Jersey when she retired, however quickly changed her mind and moved to Winter Park in 1923. Shortly thereafter, she began teaching at Rollins College, continuing to do so until she died of lung disease in 1936.
The theatre is rumored to be haunted. Visitors to the theatre have claimed to have seen a female apparition in the second story changing room. However, due to recent structural modifications, this room can no longer be accessed.
Productions Main Stage SeasonTitlePlaywrightDirectorNotes 2022/2023A Doll’s House, Pt 2 Lucas Hnath T. OuelletteWater by the Spoonful Quiara Alegría Hudes N. Bazo As You Like It William Shakespeare E. Zivot Into the Woods James Lapine & Stephen Sondheim M. Barnes 2023/2024 The 39 Steps Patrick Barlow M. DiQuattro Metamorphoses Mary Zimmerman T. Ouellette & N. Bazo Celebrated the opening of the Sally K. Albrecht Studio Theatre A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry F. Chivaughn The Prom Chad Beguelin, Bob Martin, & Matthew Sklar M. Barnes 2024/2025 Bike America Mike Lew E. Zivot Pride & Prejudice Kate Hamill P. O’Keef Everybody Branden Jacobs-Jenkins M. DiQuattro Carrie: The Musical Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford, & Lawrence D. Cohen M. Barnes 2025/2026 Iphigenia in Aulis Euripides (Transadapated by Anne Washburn) M. DiQuattro Let the People Sing Conner Chaumley, Yasmine Hudson, Max Payton & Marianne DiQuattro E.B. Haynes An original work POTUS Selina Fillinger M. Barnes Anastasia: The Musical Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, & Lynn Ahrens D. Charles
Second Stage Season Title Playwright Director Notes 2024/2025 The Grown-Ups Simon Henriques & Skylar Fox MG Meyer Lost Girl Kimberly Belflower R. Kalski Nowheresville Lexi Shroll K. Cohen Shroll is an alumnus of the theatre program
Notable alumni Janis Hirsch '72 — Fraiser Christopher Fitzgerald '95 — Chicago
References
External links Orange County listings at National Register of Historic Places Annie Russell Theatre at Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs Winter Park Historical Trail (Archived 2009-10-25) at Historic Hiking Trails( 2009-10-25) at Rollins College Department of Theatre & Dance Notable Architects in St. Petersburg - Richard Kiehnel at City of St. Petersburg