^{Wilmington College Dramatics club (1951)}

25 years of UNCW musical summer theater celebrated in August, 1983

For many years, Wilmington audiences have enjoyed UNCW student theater. Here are some highlights of the first 25 years of UNCW Student Theater, gathered from from archival sources including the student newspaper and the UNCW faculty/staff newsletter

1957 - Wilmington College Theatre debuted with "The Silver Whistle."

1959 - Wilmington College dramatics department initiated a summer theater course. Student summer stock theater was named Wilmington College (WILCO) Straw Hat Theater. The first production was Moliere's Imaginary Invalid under the direction of Professor Doug Swink.

1968 - The Seahawk student newspaper reports that the Straw Hat Theater will celebrate its 10th anniversary by staging six shows instead of one or two as in previous summers. The Wilmington Women's Club was the first sponsor.

Aug. 4-7, 1983 - The Straw Hat Theater celebrates 25 years with a musical revue show.

Professor Doug Swink and drama students backstage in Kenan Auditorium