The Whitman College sophomore class produced the first student-run play, “She Stoops to Conquer,” on June 13, 1904, under the direction of Edith Merrell Davis. Ten years later, in October 1914, the Whitman Dramatic Club formed. The sophomore class performed the annual plays until 1948, when the Whitman Dramatic Club opened participation to the entire student body.

The Dramatic Club presented its first play, “Milestones,” on March 5, 1915. Edith Merrell Davis worked as director for the club from 1922 until her retirement in 1946. She also taught Whitman’s first drama class, titled “Dramatic Interpretation and Play Production,” beginning in 1925 and oversaw various one-act plays for special events.

Frederick J. Hunter took over Davis’ position in 1946 for two years. He was succeeded by Rodney Alexander in 1948. The college established the “Dramatic Arts” major in 1950. Alexander ran the theatre program in barracks buildings moved from the former army McCaw Hospital until a fire destroyed the buildings in 1958. Alexander designed the new Harper Joy Theatre and continued the program from this building. Until his retirement in 1967, Alexander’s efforts brought renown to the Whitman theatre program. The program was carried on by John Freimann from 1962 through 1992 and Nancy Simon, who joined the program in 1967. They maintained a diverse program of one-act plays, plays for children, traditional theatre, and spring musicals