| April 28, 1935 |
Ground broken for the The Old Globe, an attraction of the California Pacific International Exposition at Balboa Park. Thirty-two day construction period. Seating designed to accommodate 580. Construction cost: $20,000. Designed by Thomas Wood Stevens. |
| May 29, 1935 |
The Old Globe opens with repertory of 50-minute versions of Shakespeare Plays. |
| Feb. 3, 1937 |
Charter granted by State of California for San Diego Community. Theatre, a not-for-profit corporation that leased Old Globe buildings and land from City of San Diego. |
| Dec. 2, 1937 |
First production by new organization opens at The Old Globe, The Distaff Side by John Van Druten, with Craig Noel in the acting company. |
| Dec. 8, 1941 |
U.S. Navy acquires Balboa Park for military purposes during World War II; theatre ordered to remove records and equipment within 24 hours. |
| 1942 - 1947 |
Performances presented of limited productions at Dartlee Hall in San Diego's Hillcrest area and at San Diego-area military installations through the U.S.O. |
| Jan. 1945 |
Lowell Davies elected president of The Old Globe. |
| July 14, 1947 |
First meeting of theatre members in The Old Globe after federal government returned Balboa Park to City of San Diego; lease agreement was approved by city and theatre. |
| Oct. 29, 1947 |
William Saroyan's The Time of Your Life, directed by Craig Noel, opens first post-war season. |
| June 15, 1949 |
First San Diego National Shakespeare Festival opens in association with San Diego State University (then known as San Diego State College); Twelfth Night, directed by B. Iden Payne. |
| Sept. 1949 |
Caught in the Act, first of six original, topical, musical revues focusing on San Diego people, places and happenings, composed and written by local talent, directed by Craig Noel. |
| Mar. 1, 1950 |
World premiere of One Is a Crowd written by Beah Richards, presented in Falstaff Tavern, directed by Craig Noel. Production was forerunner of series that led to development of Cassius Carter Centre Stage. |
| July 8, 1953 |
Mr. Roberts opens, replacing Shakespeare Festival for one summer. Capacity audiences during 13 weeks provided substantial financial resources for the first time. |
| July 1954 |
Fifth San Diego National Shakespeare Festival is first to be produced independently by The Old Globe. |
| July 1959 |
First professional (Actors' Equity) acting company employed to perform San Diego National Shakespeare Festival. |
