Westmoreland Players
A note from Bill Armstrong (not the Vet)
When I moved to Heathsville in 2015 and began renovating Chicacoan Cottage I found myself living behind a small Episcopal Church. My neighbors across the driveway were very quiet except on Sunday when someone would ring a bell and the church would fill. Knowing no one except the wonderful couple who encouraged me to relocate, I looked to my skills and decided that I would offer my efforts to the Westmoreland Players, the local theater group. I was welcomed with open arms and began building sets for many of the plays as well as doing work on the theater itself. A wonderful experience that continues to this day.
That summer, one day, the priest walked over to where I was working. I was in a true state of disarray with perspiration coagulated dirt all over me. Nevertheless she invited me to see the church. Being a lover of pretty much everything made of wood, I followed her over and walked through the most wonderful small church I have ever been to. She invited me to come to the service which I took into consideration. I had not attended for many a decade but eventually made the journey across the driveway and found a welcome I had not expected. Shortly thereafter I met my wonderful Marguerite. And that was just the beginning, however, I digress.
So making the connection, Pilar asked me if I would be willing to write about a couple things. This one is about the Westmoreland Players. The Players is a non-profit theater company dedicated to bringing community theater to the region. Established in 1979 in Westmoreland County, the players have been in constant production since then producing a vast array of productions. The first show I saw was a super production of The James Adams Floating Theater, many years ago. In 2000 the Players moved to our current location on Rt 360 near Callao, no longer in Westmoreland County. Since then the facility has grown and improved to the point where it is probably one of the best equipped theaters in the region. The Players is operated by an elected board who are all volunteers. New members are always welcomed and several members of St. Stephens donate their efforts and talents on a regular basis. Many of the original Players members are still active in all aspects of the theater.
The Players season normally consists of 4 Main-stage productions which may include a mix of comedies, mysteries, dramas, and musicals. In addition to the major productions there is a Director’s Showcase or Readers Theater. During the summer the Players hosts the Missoula Children’s Theater workshop for local students. The Players is an all volunteer theater company. Much of what you see when you come to the theater is prepared well in advance by builders, designers, painters, costumers, lighting and sound people, front of house volunteers who make food, sell tickets, and run the lobby activities including ushers and bar tenders. On stage there are the actors, of course, who are surrounded by an entire backstage crew and people in the tech booth. Making it happen are the producers, directors and stage managers. Most of these wonderful volunteers wear many hats doing different things in each production. Work continues when the theater is dark as well. That is when we build and repair the theater and stage elements, go through the Barn and sort through the props, costumes, properties and set pieces.
For more information visit our website, www.Westmoreland players.org. You can either purchase individual show tickets, or better yet, buy a season ticket or become a sponsor. Come and see the shows, and if you are interested join us as a volunteer and make Theater!
