Creator of American Theater

Cheryl Crawford knew from an early age that theater was her passion. She would go on to be a central figure in New York City’s theatre community. A director and producer her credits include Awake and Sing!, One Touch of Venus, Brigadoon, Porgy and Bess, The Rose Tattoo, Yentl and Paint Your Wagon. 

After college, she moved to New York City where she joined the Theatre Guild. Hired by the Guild’s Executive Director, Theresa Helburn, Cheryl got hands-on experience in everything from casting to stage manager. In 1931 she and two friends founded The Group Theatre pioneering the American acting technique.  Around this time, she became romantically involved with actress Dorothy Patten. The two lived together for several years. In the 1940s she helped found the American Repertory Theater and the Actors Studio which would train the likes Marlon Brando, James Dean, Marylin Monroe, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Steve McQueen and many more.  

In 1944 she entered a romantic relationship with Ruth Norman. The two would live together for 33 years. In 1979 Cheryl was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.