Eucalyptus Amphitheater

Eucalyptus Amphitheater. Summer Theater in the Park. , “Loves Labor Lost,” a comedy by William Shakespeare, was the first play performed in the Eucalyptus Amphitheater in the spring of 1908. Set in a grove of trees for which it was named, the theater had a unique stage from which some of the giant trees burst through the floorboards. Miss Florence Nace, the first superintendent of the park, planned her open air venue in a rustic style. She echoed design elements from other areas of the park but included swings and hobby horses for the youngest theater patrons. , For the next decade, Shakespeare became a staple of summer theater in Piedmont although the bill of fair often included plays for those young in heart such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.” When not used for theatrical performances, the facility was put to use as an outdoor auditorium. The Sons of Norway held their annual meetings in the theater and in 1915, hundred of children participated in the “Pageant of Nations.” , The theater was demolished in the 1920s when the City of Piedmont acquired the property. Today, only the level ground and a few tall eucalyptus trees remain. , ”With the sun rays as a spotlight, the a pantomime unfolded with the appearance of two maidens in Greek garb slowly wending their way holding braziers from which thin wreaths of incense smoke ascended heavenwards. Then followed the processional of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Monk of the middle ages, Japanese types, the later holding aloft the quaint banners of the land beyond the rising sun, Chinese lads with kites larger than themselves... and as they slowly filed across the stage, the ‘March of the Slaves’ from Aida came from the orchestra concealed in an array of vines.” - The Oakland Tribune, August 29, 1915.