It’s unusual to hear of a small, local nonprofit lasting 50 years, but here we are. Fifty years ago, Theater Bus began as an idea of Ralph Sandler of the Wisconsin union Theater and Miriam Boegel, Community Arts Administrator. They wanted to bring older adults to Union Theater performances, and they approached the West Side Senior Coalition (now part of New Bridge, Madison) to see if they wanted to partner. 

 

By 1976, Theater Bus became an experimental project of the Wisconsin Union Theater and the West Side Senior Coalition. The goal was to increase attendance at the “Young Artists in the Performing Arts” series and to encourage older adults to enjoy events they might not otherwise have access to. The program was an immediate success and per participants requests, other area theater events were added. Ultimately, the Union Theater decided to drop out of the project.

 

In 1977, The Dane County Council of the Arts became a large sponsor. Supporting agencies also included Independent Living, Madison Housing Authority, the Coalition on Aging, the Jewish Community Council, Methodist Retirement Center and Oakwood Village. In 1979, the Theater Bus board voted to become an independent non-profit organization and incorpora tion was completed in September of that year. Attic Angel Association provided much of the funding for many years and for a long time Attic Angels residents, served on Theater Bus board. 

 

In 1999, Theater Bus received a gift from a participant that enabled Theater Bus to become more financially sound and continue to grow. The first Theater Bus outing was to the Union Theater to hear the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on a Sat urday morning in February. By 1977, Theater Bus had expanded to serving almost all of Dane county. 

 

 Though Theater Bus has looked very different through the years, one thing remains the same, the core mission of assisting older adults in having access to theatrical productions in the area. Fifty years ago, you could see a show and have lunch for $9.25. Thirty years ago, you could see a Fire side performance for $44.00 and for $2 more you could request pick up at your home. 

 

Theater Bus offers pick up locations on the West, South and East sides of town. We travel to at least 36 shows a year and we offer a wide variety of events to appeal to a broader audience. Theater Bus has always had paid staff. In the beginning it was a full-time Director and a part-time ad ministrative support person. Over time, that became a regular part-time director with volunteers filling in where and when needed. 

 

 Volunteers continue to handle a lot of the office work, including telephoning, mailing and board decision making. A committee of participants selects the shows that Theater Bus attends. Over 1500 hours are recorded by volunteers annually, though it is certainly much more in reality. The participants are the core of Theater Bus. They are the reason for Theater Bus’s 50 years of suc cess. They are the great encouragers, the primary financial supporters, and the champion volunteers. 

 

We look forward to celebrating with you in 2025. So CHEERS to 50 years of travels and here’s to another 50!