Philaletheis Society
The Philaletheis Society's logo as of 2014
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| Formation | December 2, 1865 |
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| Founder | John Howard Raymond |
| Type | Student theatre organization |
| Location | |
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Budget
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$12,000 |
| Website | philaletheis |
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Formerly called
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The Philalethean Society |
The Philaletheis Society (often shortened to Philaletheis or just Phil and founded as The Philalethean Society) is a student theatre group at Vassar College in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, and the school's oldest student organization. Founded in December 1865, Phil began as a college literary society and its first leader was college president John Howard Raymond. Control of the organization was swiftly handed to the students and the group split into three chapters, each with a distinct focus. The group maintained its literary focus until the 1890s, by which point dramatic productions had taken over in popularity. The tradition of producing four and later three plays per year continued into the mid-twentieth century, but in 1958, the organization disbanded due to lack of interest. It was revived in 1975, first as an arm of student government and then as an independent student organization.
The group is run by an executive board that selects which plays to produce each year based on the proposals received from student-directors. Auditions are open to all Vassar students but those interested in directing must have previously completed a directing workshop through the organization.
According to alumna Maria Dickinson McGraw, the creation of a college literary society at Vassar College in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, was proposed by students during the first week of the school's first year. Later that year, on December 2, 1865, the Philalethean Society was founded, becoming the first student group at Vassar. It was organized and helmed by John Howard Raymond, president of the college. While Raymond was the organization's first leader, students in the organization quickly saw fit to transition to self-governance; Raymond "was not re-elected." The Society's first student president was M. L. Dickinson, who also served as one of the several editors of the inaugural edition of Vassariana, the precursor the Vassar's weekly newspaper, The Miscellany News. Named for the term philalethea, meaning "truth-loving", the Society was split into three distinct chapters, each with a specialized focus. The Alpha arm of the organization focused on literary works, the Beta chapter did dramatic exercises, and the Delta chapter was involved with musical pursuits. Later, it added a fourth chapter. Until the alumnae gymnasium—later Ely Hall—was built, the organization was headquartered in the Society Room on the second floor of the school's Calisthenium and Riding Academy.
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