Masque of La Salle University

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The Masque of La Salle University is the student-run theatre organization of La Salle University.

[edit] History

The recognized genesis of student-run theater at La Salle University is 1929, under the club name of Buskin and Bauble. The first production was a presentation of the play The Queen's Husband.^{[citation needed]} In 1931, President Brother Felix reorganized the theatre program into the La Salle College Dramatic Society.^{[citation needed]} A production of the one-act play, Copy was produced.

In 1933, The Masque was founded with Professor Joe Sprissler, a member of the school of Business Administration, as the moderator. The first production performed by The Masque was Sun Up, in 1934. In 1935, the students who comprised the cast and crew of Sun Up formed the formal organization of The Masque of La Salle College. The Masque presented one show annually until the beginning of World War II.

Upon returning from the war students, most notably James Leary, reorganized and hired a new moderator, Willard Walsh. Acclaim for The Masque grew rapidly becoming one of the most popular and successful student organizations on campus. Under the guidance of Walsh, The Masque continued its growth. 1950 brought with it Dan Rodden. Rodden brought a whole new genre to The Masque: professional theatre. Ushering in La Salle Summer Theatre, Rodden became the advisor to The Masque, designer and eventually namesake of the theatre, notorious English professor, and cherished individual for the entire La Salle community.