Historic Ephrata Cloister will host an Open House at its newly revitalized amphitheater on Sunday, May 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. This free event invites the public to preview the venue ahead of its official reopening later this year.
Guests are welcome to explore the amphitheater, peek inside the set buildings behind the stage, test the acoustics, and pose for photo in the glade. Inside the Visitor Center, displays will trace the evolution of the amphitheater and reflect on the history of the Vorspiel, a music drama that graced the amphitheater stage for three decades.
Located on the grounds of Historic Ephrata Cloister, a National Historic Landmark and Pennsylvania Trails of History site, the amphitheater was originally constructed in 1963 by the Ephrata Cloister Associates, the non-profit organization that supports the work of the museum, which is managed and operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For nearly 30 years, the amphitheater was home to the Vorspiel, a historical drama featuring the 18th-century hymns composed by the Brothers and Sisters of Ephrata Cloister and performed by local actors, musicians, and the Ephrata Cloister Chorus. The production ran every summer until 1989. In the following years, the space hosted weddings and community events until it fell into disrepair and was completely closed in 2020.
In 2021, the Ephrata Cloister Associates launched a revitalization project, funded through private donations and local grants. Excavation began in August 2024, and major construction wrapped up in early winter.
The updated venue now features four terraces, including two paved levels for improved accessibility to the stage and seating areas. The amphitheater accommodates approximately 250 guests, with options to sit on stone walls, benches, or person chairs and blankets.
While the core of the project is complete, minor renovations to the set buildings and surrounding landscaping will continue into the summer.
Donations are still being accepted. Gifts of $25 or more will be recognized in the Donor Book of Honor, while contribution of $1,000 or more will be acknowledged on the Donor Wall of Honor located on the stage set buildings. During the Open House, a draft of the Donor Book and a preliminary design of the Donor Wall will be on display in the Visitor Center.
For more information about the project, please contact Suzanne Fisher at ephratacloister@gmail.com or through the website at Historic Ephrata Cloister | Ephrata, PA.
