Remembering Theatron, Baruch College’s student dramatic arts society, clearly fills alumna Claire Berkowitz Seigelstein (’58) with joy. “It’s one of the nicest things that ever happened to me in my whole life—and I’ve had a very happy life,” she says. Theatron, one of the longest-running and earliest clubs, was a hub of student life, of camaraderie and creativity, from the 1930s through the 1990s.
Attending Baruch (then known as “City College Downtown”) was something of a happy accident for Seigelstein. The final decision of where to apply to college was made by her best friend, Myra. The 16-year-olds also considered City College Uptown and Hunter College. “Thinking it would be easier to get in, we decided to apply to Downtown midyear,” recalls Seigelstein (née Berkowitz). The co-eds’ strategy worked, and they enrolled in February 1954.
Why Theatron?
Also a “group decision” was the choice of Theatron as their extracurricular activity. Why Theatron? “My friend developed a huge crush on Larry Levy [’55] after we saw him in Finian’s Rainbow.” Her momentous decision aside, Myra’s Theatron career didn’t last long. After their first show as club members—Remains To Be Seen in 1954—she transferred to Uptown City. Now immersed in the student theater world and with her new crew of Theatron friends, Seigelstein barely had time to notice.
As a member of Theatron, Seigelstein did everything but appear on stage. For the November 1957 production of Guys and Dolls, she is listed in the program credits under Technical, Props, Publicity, Business, Program, Rally, and Make-Up. Of the latter, she offers this vintage, sweet-bawdy anecdote with a laugh: “I only knew how to do men’s makeup. . . . I sat on a lot of men’s laps, doing their makeup.”
Does Seigelstein have a favorite Theatron production? Death of a Salesman from 1956 comes to mind, though she claims “no real favorite show,” adding, “all the rest were just pure fun!” Her Theatron résumé includes backstage credits for The Time of Your Life (1955), Good News (1955), My Three Angels (1956), and Light Up the Sky (1957).
Praise for the Ultimate Theatronite, Speech Professor Lou Levy
A favorite production, maybe not, but the advertising/publicity major definitely has a favorite Theatronite: legendary Speech Professor Louis Levy. “Lou Levy was the glue that held Theatron together,” recalls Seigelstein. “He was just the finest man, a gentleman and a scholar.” Levy treated Theatron students like family, inviting them to his home and introducing them to his wife and children.
The Theatronites of this era—and we suspect many other eras—formed a kind of band of merry friends, according to the alumna, who remembers group outings to Broadway and off-Broadway shows on Saturdays, frequent latenight dinners in Chinatown (especially eatery Han Fa Lo), and summertime trips to beaches. The students’ connection wasn’t only during the play production cycle. “I never felt it was a subway school,” Seigelstein says of her Theatron-infused college experience.
And when Claire returned to the theater many years after her graduation, her friends remarked on “a certain glow.” The Theatron Jane-of-all-trades founded SRO Musical Productions and served on many theater boards, including as chair of the Arts Council of Rockland (N.Y.). “Theatron never left me,” she says with genuine delight. And for that, Claire, we are grateful.
More About Claire Seigelstein
Claire Seigelstein is retired and living in Wellington, Fla., with her husband of 56 years, Len. The couple has three children and six grandchildren. Of her volunteer work visiting patients in hospitals and hospices, she says, “I just go into every room ‘cold,’ and you’re not going to tell me that a theater background doesn’t help!”
—Diane Harrigan
[box sid=”box-1421876598″]*Attention Theatron Alumni*
Do you remember Claire Berkowitz from your years at Baruch/City Downtown? She’d love to hear from you (e-mail [email protected]). And remember, there’s an open mic here for all of your Theatron stories. Please share your memories below or by e-mailing [email protected].[/box]
Related Articles
Curtain Still Rises for Five Theatron Alumni from the Class of ’55
Entertaining the Troops: CCSO: City College’s USO
Altruism as Entertainment: Theatron and CCSO