{"id":39,"date":"2023-01-05T15:34:46","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T15:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/development.abcplayers.org\/index.php\/homepage\/"},"modified":"2023-01-05T15:34:46","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T15:34:46","slug":"homepage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/development.abcplayers.org\/index.php\/homepage\/","title":{"rendered":"ABC Players Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n\n\n

$\"ABC\"$ <\/td>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/td>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>ABC Players<\/span>
\n Athenian Berean Community Players .\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0a community theatre serving southeastern Ohio since 1973.<\/span><\/p>\n

WE MAKE THEATER MAGIC!<\/span> \n <\/p>\n

\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n\tFeatures<\/span><\/p>\n

About Us<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

<\/p>\n

Shows Planned for the 2022-2023 Season: <\/span>We perform in the historic Stuart’s
\n Opera House<\/a> in Nelsonville, OH.\u00a0 Click here<\/a>
\n to see all of the shows we have produced since December 1992 (with pictures).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

For TICKETS<\/span>to our shows, please contact Stuart’s
\n Opera House<\/a>. \n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Next Production:<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/p>\n
$\"9to5_logo\"$ <\/td>\n 9 to 5 the Musical<\/strong><\/em>, in which three unlikely friends take control of their office and learn there is nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world.\u00a0 Directed by Chris Parsons. \u00a0March 17-19 & 24-26, 2023.
\n \u00a0Audition information<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
9 to 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n
\n
Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Book by Patricia Resnick<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n
\n
Based on the 20th Century Fox Picture
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n
\n
Orchestrator
\n\t\t\t\t BRUCE COUGHLIN<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Arrangements and
\n\t\t\t\t Additional Orchestrations
\n\t\t\t\t STEPHEN OREMUS
\n\t\t\t\t & ALEX LACAMOIRE<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL
\n\t\t\t\t Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
\n\t\t\t\t All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
\n\t\t\t\t www.mtishows.com<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Sponsored by<\/p>\n
$\"Rocky\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coming Soon After: <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$\"sensory_friendly_logo\"$ <\/td>\n \n
Coming April 8, 2023: \u00a0a performance fostering a more welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with sensory-processing disorders, developmental differences, autism, and others who struggle with the traditional audience set-up! \u00a0Songs, dances, and a short play presented without bright, flashing lights or loud, sudden sounds, in a space that accommodates flexible seating arrangements. \u00a0Limited attendance; reservations will be required. \u00a0Watch this space for further information about venue, content, and reservations. \u00a0Audition information<\/a>. <\/p>\n
Click for a social story<\/a> describing what to expect. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$\"The$ <\/td>\n The Lion in Winter<\/strong><\/em>, a staged reading presenting the dramatic and comic story of the Plantagenets who are locked in a family feud to inherit a kingdom.\u00a0 Directed by Karen M. Chan.\u00a0 The cast will comprise Senior Citizens (55 and up).\u00a0
\n June 25, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
THE LION IN WINTER
\n by
\n James Goldman<\/span><\/p>\n
“The Lion in Winter” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Sponsored by<\/p>\n
$\"LCR$ <\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Completed: <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$\"Break$ <\/td>\n Break a Leg!<\/strong><\/em> a fast-paced comedy of theatrical disaster.\u00a0 Directed by Jodi MacNeal.\u00a0 October 7 & 8, 2022 at 7:30; and October 9, 2022 at 2 p.m. \u00a0
\n Stage Pictures<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
BREAK A LEG
\n by
\n John O’Brien<\/span> <\/p>\n
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Sponsored by
\nCooper Ventures LTD.<\/p>\n
<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$\"\"$ <\/td>\n \n
James and the Giant Peach JR.<\/em><\/strong>, in which orphaned James discovers
\n magic in a large peach and undertakes a journey across the ocean to New York City during which he faces hunger, sharks, and other adversity, helped out by singing insects who journey with him on this larger-than-life musical
\n adventure. \u00a0 Directed by Jodi MacNeal & Jenn Fritchley. \u00a0<\/strong><\/em> Dec. 2-3, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.\u00a0 Matinee Dec. 3-4 at 2 p.m.\u00a0 Stage Pictures<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
Words and Music by
\n Benj Pasek & Justin Paul<\/p>\n
Book by
\n Timothy Allen McDonald<\/p>\n
Based on the book James and the Giant Peach<\/em>
\n by Roald Dahl<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Roald Dahl\u2019s James and the Giant Peach JR<\/strong>. is presented through special arrangement with
\n and all authorized materials are supplied by
\n Music Theatre International, New York, NY
\n (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Sponsored by <\/p>\n
$\"OUFCU\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
Return<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
<\/a>AUDITIONS:<\/span>
\n\t Tips<\/a><\/p>\n
Note: \u00a0You don’t have to be a member of ABC Players to audition, get a part, and perform in one of our productions.\u00a0 But, if you get a part in a second play, we’d like you to support the organization by becoming a member.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Click here for information about the audition for 9 to 5 The Musical<\/em><\/a>. \u00a0The audition will be held Sunday, January 8th, 2023 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Stuart’s Opera House. \u00a0Save time and hassle; fill out the Audition Information Form (DOCX<\/a> or PDF<\/a>) at home and bring it with you to the audition. \u00a0Click here for music cuts, sides, and character descriptions<\/a> to help you prepare for auditions. <\/p>\n
Click here for information about the audition for Animal Tales<\/em><\/a>, a sensory friendly production. \u00a0Click here for a script selection<\/a> for the audition. The audition will be held February 11th, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. in #30 Public Square at Stuart’s Opera House. \u00a0Save time and hassle; fill out the Audition Information Form (DOCX<\/a> or PDF<\/a>) at home and bring it with you to the audition.<\/p>\n
Return<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
<\/a>ABOUT US:<\/span>
\n History of Athenian Berean Community Players<\/p>\n
In the beginning was the Berean Community Players (BCP), incorporated in 1973.\u00a0 For years, BCP’s productions under the direction of Spencer Steenrod and Tony Coleman were the cultural center of gravity in southeast Ohio.\u00a0 Musical
\n directors Katy McCoy and Mary Jane McKinley, were recognized
\nthroughout Ohio for the quality of their work.<\/p>\n
For several years, Joe Balding and Steve Haskins entertained
\n the idea of forming a community theater group in the Athens area.\u00a0 In the
\n summer of 1992, while working on an Ohio Valley Summer Theatre production
\n of On Golden Pond<\/span>, Joe outlined his dream to Spence Watson, who
\n was also in the play.\u00a0 Spence and Beth Watson had previously formed an
\n amateur theater company in another community.\u00a0 They shared their experiences
\n at a meeting at the Athens Unitarian Fellowship Hall on August 3, 1992.\u00a0
\n The groundwork for Athenian Players Theatre (APT) was laid at that meeting.<\/p>\n
APT’s first production was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever<\/em>,
\n opening in the Athens Unitarian Fellowship Hall on December 10, 1992.\u00a0
\n Indeed, for our first five years, APT was a sort of nomad theatre, doing
\n shows at such locations as the Unitarian Fellowship Hall, the Athens Middle
\n School, the Senior Citizens Center, and the Friends\u2019 Meeting House
\n in Chauncey.\u00a0 But in March 1997, the historic Stuart\u2019s Opera House reopened
\n in Nelsonville.\u00a0 On October 3, 1997, APT presented I\u2019ll Be Back Before
\n Midnight<\/span> in the newly restored Opera House and\u2014except for a few
\n special productions in other locations\u2014APT jointly produced shows with BCP in Stuart\u2019s Opera House.<\/p>\n
On March 18, 2009, the membership of both organizations voted to merge into a single organization called the Athenian Berean Community Players.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Our normal season is three to five plays, performed either Thursday
\n through Sunday in a single week or Friday through Sunday of two successive
\n weeks.\u00a0 Sunday performances are matinees; all others are evening shows.<\/p>\n
In most seasons, at least one of the productions is a musical.\u00a0
\n These have included The Sound of Music<\/span> (Richard Rogers and Oscar
\n Hammerstein II), Into The Woods<\/span> (Stephen Sondheim), A Funny
\n Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum<\/span> (Stephen Sondheim), and Funny
\n Girl<\/span> (Isobel Lennart, Jules Styne, Bob Merrill).\u00a0 Comedy
\n and dramatic offerings have included such plays as Rumors<\/span> (Neil
\n Simon), Night of January 16th<\/span> (Ayn Rand), Steel Magnolias<\/span>
\n (Richard Harling), Present Laughter<\/span> (Noel Coward), and Flowers
\n for Algernon<\/span> (David Rogers).<\/p>\n
For a complete list of our productions, illustrations
\n of the show posters, and some stage photos, please click
\n here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
For many years, we were active in the Ohio Community
\n Theatre Association (OCTA).\u00a0 Our members served
\n in various leadership roles in OCTA.\u00a0 When we presented excerpts of
\n our plays at OCTA regional and state-wide festivals, we earned formal
\n recognition of the excellence of our productions.\u00a0 We earned awards
\n for acting, direction, sets, costumes, and for our newsletter:\u00a0
\n The Minotaur<\/a>.\u00a0 Facing rising printing and postage costs and the general availability of the Internet, we stopped publishing The Minotaur<\/em> in 2014.\u00a0 In 2018, the membership voted to end our membership in OCTA, while retaining membership in the national American Association of Community Theatre<\/a> which publishes the bimonthly Spotlight<\/a> magazine.<\/p>\n
$\"AACT\"$ <\/a> <\/p>\n
So, we have a core of talented, experienced members with
\n demonstrated commitment and exceptional abilities.\u00a0 But all of us face
\n competition for our time, and\u2014as with all volunteer organizations\u2014maintaining
\n a strong, exciting program over the years is a challenge.\u00a0 We are taking
\n steps to attract and empower new members, and we are particularly seeking
\n young people who are interested in live theatre.\u00a0 Although we currently
\n have more than 30 paid members, not all are able to be actively involved <\/p>\n
in productions.\u00a0 Also, since “time keeps on going into the future,”
\n we need to continue to attract new members to keep the organization fresh and flourishing.\u00a0
\n Becoming a member<\/a> is easy.<\/p>\n
We owe our continuing success to numerous supporters.\u00a0
\n A few have helped us over and over, and they are mentioned here:<\/p>\n
\n
Stuart’s Opera House<\/a> is our home theater.\u00a0 The Opera House provides space for our performances, rehearsals, costumes, scenery, and tools, as well as advertising, ticket sales, and assistance in preparing technical aspects of our productions.<\/li>\n
Blackburn Home
\n Furnishings<\/a> has often loaned pieces for our sets.<\/li>\n
Hocking Valley
\n Bank<\/a>, Intelliwave<\/a>, Rocky Boots<\/a>, Ohio University Credit Union<\/a>, and Tansky Motors<\/a> often sponsor advertising for our plays.<\/li>\n
Jeff and Heather Morris donate professional photographic services for our productions.<\/li>\n
L’Heureux Properties<\/a> provides rehearsal space when the stage at the Opera House is in use as well as storage space for our costumes and set pieces. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In 2017, ABC Players inaugurated the Lynn Sullivan Spirit Award in memory of beloved music director Lynn Sullivan. The award is presented to a current member of ABC Players who best exemplifies the spirit of community theater. The winner of the 2017 award is Sydney Lewis. The 2018 award will be sponsored by Tina Wilson.<\/p>\n
Click here for our bylaws<\/a> and production policy<\/a>.\u00a0 Our filings<\/a> with the Ohio Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation are available on-line.\u00a0 We can also be found on the Ohio Attorney General’s database of charitable organizations<\/a> by searching for “Athenian Berean Community Players”.\u00a0 The IRS\u2019s Exempt Organizations Selection Checklist<\/a> can also be used to verify our eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions. <\/p>\n
We’re also on $\"facebook\"$ <\/a>, $\"twitter\"$ <\/a>, and $\"instagram\"$ <\/a>.<\/p>\n
Support ABC Players as You Shop<\/p>\n\n\n
$\"Kroger\"$ <\/a><\/td>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/td>\n \n