mattersmagazine.com 41 A Shared History Our drama clubs’ roots are deep – and intertwined. BY ELLEN DONKER IIn 1927, Columbia High School social studies teacher Mildred Memory transformed the 32-year-old CHS Parnassian Society (named for the mountain home of Apollo and the Muses) from the school’s poetry recitation club into a drama club that continues to this day, with many stage crew and actor members going on to work in professional theater. As former Parnassians grew up, they yearned for their high school acting days and urged Memory to start a drama club in which they could continue to participate after graduation. So in 1932 Memory established the Strollers, taking its name from the term used to describe early English troupes of traveling thespians. Its membership later broadened to include other townspeople, but was exclusive and tightly controlled for some time. Productions started out as one-night stands. As interest and membership grew, so did the number of performances. Today, the Strollers produces a season of four mainstage productions: two plays and a musical, as well as a children’s theater production. The result is an interesting blend of established crowd pleasers and recent Broadway hits. The Strollers have called various places home but settled in at the Burgdorff Center in 1989 when Jean Burgdorff donated it to the Township of Maplewood and designated the club as Maplewood’s resident community theater company. Built in French Normandy style as a Christian Science church, it dates back to 1925. Understandably, the building’s interior needed some major enhancements so the Strollers had a stage built, lighting and sound systems installed, and a handicapped-accessible bathroom and sprinkler system constructed. From its inception, the Strollers have been a vital part of the community, focusing many of their efforts on giving back. The club has helped raise funds for the Adult School’s first budget and for the murals in Town Hall. During the Second World War, the Strollers gave benefit performances to support the Maplewood Committee for Servicemen. The Strollers have also been regular participants in Maplewood’s The Strollers first performance from 1932, You and I.