Our History
From a stuffed ram’s head on a wall in 1911 to over 6,000 audience members each year—our story includes collapse, revival, a pandemic, and an unwavering belief that the show must go on.
A Ram’s Head on the Wall
On September 13, seven students and three faculty members—including history professor Payson Jackson Treat—formed a drama society dedicated to "original work in the production of sketches, songs, musical comedies, and the like." On the wall hangs a stuffed ram’s head. Two months later, the first Gaieties (then called "Football Follies") is performed. The tradition of theatrical shows around the Big Game actually dates back to 1893, when fans attended a "Football Show" in San Francisco on game night.
Big Game Gaieties
Ram’s Head takes over Gaieties and renames it "Big Game Gaieties." Shows stretch to four hours as campus groups compete for best-skit prizes. The Stanford Quad notes performers show "surprising grace" in the male chorus line. A female counterpart to Ram's, the Ewe’s Head, is formed.
Memorial Auditorium
MemAud is dedicated. Ram’s Head technicians, including then-president Phil Brown, helped design the 1,705-seat hall. It becomes the organization’s home stage for the next 90 years and counting.
"Stop Projecting Slides"
President Wilbur’s office sends a letter requesting Ram’s Head "stop projecting a lantern slide on Memorial Hall," deeming such publicity "undesirable." The administration also resists expanding performances, worried about "further weakening of the academic schedule." Ram’s Head persists.
Women Join
Women gain full membership in Ram’s Head for the first time. The Ewe’s Head (the female counterpart) merges into the main organization.
The War Years
Gaieties is produced without Big Game. Soldiers training on campus join student performers on stage. The show includes a number called "Mister Soldier" with lyrics asking soldiers to reciprocate an embrace.
Television Era
Recognized as one of the West Coast’s foremost student dramatic organizations. Productions are broadcast on San Francisco TV. The 1953 Gaieties features a revolving set and onstage fountain. In 1958, under president William "Tuie" Kinsolving ’59, Gaieties tours to Los Angeles — acts include a "manic-depressive ballet" called "Mayhem in Marrakesh" and a Gilbert and Sullivan/monster movie mashup, "Les Ghouls."
The First Silence
For the first time in 57 years, Gaieties is not produced—a casualty of the era’s political unrest and a breakdown between writers and producers.
Collapse
Ram’s Head folds after the failed production "Dracula — A Type ‘A’ Musical." The organization that had run continuously since 1911 goes dark.
Revival
After years of dorm shows and grassroots fundraising, "Guys and Dolls" relaunches Ram’s Head in April. "Fiddler on the Roof" follows in 1977. Admissions Dean Fred Hargadon makes the first of seven annual Gaieties cameo appearances. The Stanford Band begins performing in the Gaieties finale—a tradition that continues today.
The Centennial
Two Gaieties in one year. A Centennial Gaieties revives classic sketches for Stanford’s 100th anniversary. The regular Gaieties — "Full Frontal Gaieties" — features President Don Kennedy tangoing with his wife Robin in his final cameo.
Playbill
Ram’s Head’s immersive Les Misérables, directed by Sammi Cannold, is covered by Playbill—a first for a Stanford student production. 34 performers, 22 musicians, and 16 costumed actors transform Memorial Auditorium into a 19th-century Paris opera house. Cannold goes on to become a major Broadway director (Forbes 30 Under 30).
Sold Out
Hairspray sells out Memorial Auditorium’s 1,705 seats with the largest lighting rig (32 moving fixtures) and largest sound project (24 radio mics) ever used by a Stanford student group.
Unprecedented Times
COVID forces Ram’s Head virtual. Gaieties 2020 is aptly titled "Unprecedented Times." Heathers is performed with students singing from separate dorm rooms — the writers grant an official gender-bent version.
Gender-Bent History
Ram’s Head creates the first official gender-bent version of Heathers — performed virtually during COVID with students singing from dorm rooms. The original writers collaborate on the adaptation, which becomes the first queer version officially available for licensing worldwide.
Return
Little Shop of Horrors marks the triumphant return to live theater, featuring a student-built Audrey II puppet that grows from handheld to ceiling-height.
115 Years and Counting
Three shows per year. 120+ students. 6,000+ audience members. The audition motto remains: "Enthusiasm, not talent!"
Spring Musicals
Licensed Broadway productions in Memorial Auditorium, since the 1976 revival.
Gaieties
Original student-written musicals, performed every fall during Big Game week.
From the Archives
Historical artifacts from over a century of Ram’s Head productions. The full Ram’s Head Records — financial reports (1924–1957), board minutes (1935–1957), production books (1937–1959), LP records, and audio tapes — are preserved at Stanford University Libraries.