My Fellow Players,
As you all know, we are in the most unusual of times with more than enough stress and anxiety than any of us had ever expected to have to weather. However, we will all persevere and as a performing arts organization are looking to provide our community with some respite through various on-line programming, links to streaming professional performances and plans to get back onto the boards as soon as we can.
In the meantime, we are continuing with some business at hand and through a video conference on Sunday March 22, with a quorum of the Board of Directors voting unanimously to approve the following slate, we have a very solid board coming in this next year.
Officers serving a 1-year term (July 2020-2021):
Jay Newlon -- President
Tom Sullivan -- Vice President
Andrea Roessler -- Vice President
Kathy Lague -- Treasurer
Amanda Casale -- Secretary
Board Members serving a 2-year term (July 2020-2022):
Kathleen O'Connor -- Special Events
Nadine Sa -- PDSC Chair
Paul Murphy -- EMACT Rep
The following board members will continue through their term into next year as well: Charlie Atherton (Finance/51 Walden Rep), Craig Howard (PDSC member), Nick Miller, Tracy Wall, Susan Tucker (Members-at-Large), Corinne Kinsman (Membership).
I cannot begin to thank my fellow board members enough for their hard work and dedication throughout this last year. Although Brian Kelly, Connie Benn, Carol Antos, Paula McNabb, Linda McConchie, and Meg Spring are stepping down after June, they are all continuing to provide the Players with their respective talents and will still be close to the organization going forward. While our primary season is a bit truncated, we have done well so far with the most recent shows
Funny Girl and
Barefoot in the Park turning profits and keeping the organization in the black. We are as solvent today as we ever have been and well positioned to handle any financial contingency as needed.
Despite the fact that our Travelling Troupe has had to suspend its performances at senior centers, assisted living and nursing facilities for the interim, a hearty "Bravo" goes out to its leader Sandy Armstrong and John Hutchins, Bill Maxwell, Joanne Hines, Katie Blair and the rest of the troupe who provide much needed light theater to those who can't come to us.
The building may be dark for now, but the Players Shakespeare troupe, now known as The World's a Stage Players, soldiers on and after having another successful run this last summer of
The Winter's Tale, is making plans to present
As You Like It directed by
Nicholas Meunier on the lawn of the Concord Free Public Library in July/August. Our hope is that with an outdoor venue and with sensible social distancing, we will be able to bring you live theater soon.
We do want to experiment with other theatrical experiences, and despite the success of our Princess Reviews during the holidays, are looking into other programs to entertain you in 2021. Our 100
th Anniversary Committee is still plugging away and although we've had to make some scheduling adjustments, are still planning on providing you with several more events before we look forward to our next 100 years!
Again, from our family to yours, we wish you a healthy year and look forward to bringing you the best that community theater can offer.
See you at the theater!
--Jay Newlon
President