Edwards initially work at the Elitch Theatre was as a director in 1896, but he later returned for multiple seasons as an actor in the summer stock cast. "In 1896, Mrs. Elitch signed J. H. Huntley to direct a resident stock company... After six weeks of melodrama, however, and a few unsatisfactory notices, the organization of the company was changed. Huntley, who was not very popular with audiences or with newspaper reviewers, was replaced by Walter Edwards." On July 12, 1896, Edwards started as director and his first play was J. K. Tillotson's A Gilded Crime. The newspaper review stated: "Walter Edwards' presence has strengthened the company materially..."
