message from
president
39
and Counting
A famous old comedian used to make a deal about
turning 39 - and staying there. Every
birthday was his 39th! Well,
Fredericktowne Players is now in its 39th season and I have no hesitation about
our moving on to 40 and beyond. We're
proud to be one of the oldest continuously operating arts organizations in
Frederick
, this despite our humble beginnings. The
story goes of a group up on
Braddock
Mountain
deciding to start a theater company. They
passed the hat around, collecting $39 - and so it began!
Over the years the Players have produced over 150 shows, between 4 and 8
performances each, and had only two cancellations - one for snow and one for a
Weinberg Center water main break. With
anywhere from 10 to 100 people involved, the Players have provided acting,
production, front of the house and theater administration opportunities for
thousands of people in our community. Our
budget has grown from $39 to over $100,000.
We've come a long way baby!
But proud as we are of our history, we need to be about change if we're
going to celebrate another 39 years. Over
the last few years, we've had two venue changes and have finally happily settled
at FCC for three shows a year. Last
season we held a hugely successful first ever fundraiser.
And there is more to come! Look
for information soon about a Board reorganization that will bring the structure
of our organization up to speed in today's face paced and competitive world.
We're also considering an outreach and an artistic stretch to a fourth
production event in the spring that would offer another theater opportunity to
amateurs in our community. And, of
course, we're planning to build on last year's fundraising success and move
ahead to newer funding outreaches.
The Fredericktowne Players have had a full and fun 39 years, and unlike
our old comedian, we're not stopping at 39.
We know that life without change and challenge is dull and downhill, and
we are certainly not about that! FtP
is passing 39 and embracing the challenges of our next 39 years.
Hang with us and we'll be happy to include you on the ride!
Nancy
L. Speck , President
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