Community Players

The focus of this season was fundraisers as well as laying the groundwork for the Players’ new little theatre building:

On September 22, 1959, the Community Players hosted a fashion show. Roland’s, Anderson’s, Livingston’s and Hall’s Tog Shop provided fashions for Ladies and Girls, while Moberly & Klenner and Dwenter’s provided fashions for Men and Boys. The Fashion Show, held at the Student Union at I.S.N.U, earning $2,100.

In October the building hosting Players’ scenery and properties storage was sold. Everything was moved quickly to a building owned by Players’ President Dean Litt.

In December, Players purchased a lot north of the Piggly Wiggly store on Towanda Avenue (now the Post Office) for $7,500. In January, The Players were successful in getting the City Planning Commission to rezone the area for a theatre.

In January, the next major fundraiser was in development. A one act ‘mellerdrayma’ was being organized for the Rotary Ladies Night. It would be a traditional ‘Mellerdrayma’ with songs and dance added. “Her Fatal Beauty; or A Shop Girl’s Honor,” was presented on April 28th. It was reprised on May 24th at The Illinois House Hotel as a dinner theatre presentation and annual meeting.
Both fundraisers made a total profit of $6,149.16.

The Players would break ground for their new theatre in the fall of 1960.