The Parish Players

We are an incorporated not-for-profit membership theater group based at the Eclipse Grange Theatre in Thetford Hill, Vermont, staffed and run by volunteers.

We've been at this continuously since 1966, when a small theatre group formed by Ed and Gillian Tyler, and David and Linda Strohmier, staged Thornton Wilder's The Long Christmas Dinner at the Thetford Hill Congregational Church---and the Parish Players was born.  In the nearly 40 years since then, The Parish Players have performed close to 200 productions.  (Click here to see the pdf list of those shows.) Today, we continue as an all-volunteer community theatre organization to stage challenging plays, drawn from the classics, to musical comedy, contemporary drama, and original plays by members of the Upper Valley community.

The Parish Player is an organization dedicated to presenting high quality dramatic productions created by people who participate for the love of the work. We are committed to: offer an intimate theater venue that is accessible, affordable, and welcoming to both audiences and artists; challenge participants to stretch their abilities and expand their understanding of theater and the world it describes; present new and challenging works, including those created by local artists; inspire, encourage, and support the arts and cultures of our communities; and raising expectations of community theater.


Contact Parish Players

The quickest way to reach us is usually by e-mail: panchoXparishplayers.org (replacing, of course, the X with "@"). You can also call us at 802-785-4344.  Most of the time, you'll have to leave a message, since we don't keep regular business hours, but Neal will return your call or get your message to the right person.  Don't be put off if you run into a recording about tickets for a particular show---your message should eventually find its way to a board member who will get back to you.  Our mail address is: The Parish Players, PO Box 136, Thetford, VT 05074.

Getting involved

All lovers of the performing arts are warmly invited to join the Parish Players, in whatever way suits your interests and abilities.  We are always looking for actors, for directors and producers, for technical support staff, designers, builders, painters, house managers---you name it.   We keep an email list which receives notices of auditions, productions, and special events.   There is also a periodic newsletter which is published both electronically via e-mail, or as standard paper mailing.  Write or call if you'd like to be on our list for email updates and the newsletter---and don't forget to tell us where your theatrical interests lie and if you'd like to be involved in a show.    

Proposal Guidelines for Directors and Producers

Thank you for your interest in Parish Players productions! We are very proud of our tradition of providing high quality community theater productions; created and supported by our community for our communities. We encourage and support all inquiries and ideas for shows and events.  If you've like to make a formal proposal to produce or direct a show for us, you should plan to meet with the Program Committee for discussion and support, and submit as much of the following as you can to the chair of the Program Committee (currently Kay Morton 785 2515).

  • summary of the show and at least one copy of the script;
  • your resume, with an emphasis on your theatrical background or analagous qualifications;
  • Director's/Producer's statement that will include: description of the production concept, description of scenic needs and ideas, a list of characters in the show, and any other elements of the show (i.e. musicians, choreography, etc.);
  • list of the production jobs that will be necessary to fill and the people you have lined up to fill those jobs if you have them;
  • calendar of proposed dates, including all rehearsals and performances;
  • budget of all anticipated expenses and income from the production and the performances

    • Your script will be read and your proposal will be considered at the next meeting of the program committee, which normally meets once a month.   The PC will review and discuss all ideas and proposals, and will then make a recommendation for action by the full Board of Directors.  The more lead time you give to your proposal the better.  If you show is approved as a PP production, all of the expenses from the show will be covered, and all of the proceeds beyond your budget expenses will go the PP.

    Benefit Performances

    Parish Players Performances often choose to benefit local charities.  Sometimes the efforts of the charity are related to the themes of the project, but often they are not directly related and the benefiting organization is just a good cause.  Past beneficiary groups include Cover Home Repair, and SERG, the Sustainable Energy Resource Group.  If you would like your group/organization to be considered for a benefit performance, please contact our publicity coordinator. (Currently Ethan Cole: ethcole@hotmail.com or (802) 356 4383)

    If your group can be matched with a PP show, you will be asked to help fill the seats on the night of the benefit. You will also have a brief opportunity to address the audience and put up a small display about your group. There may be an opportunity to put a small paragraph in the program. Usually, between 50-100% of the proceeds go to your group. Details are worked out with the Director or Producer.

    Donations

    It is only through the generous support of our friends that we can continue to make Parish Players productions and other arts events available at our beloved Eclipse Grange Theater. The modest amounts we receive from our own ticket sales and from other organizations using our facility do not cover the considerable costs of operating and maintaining our theater and other overhead expenses. We hope you will support the Parish Players this year with a tax-deductible gift. Our needs are considerable, so a donation of any amount will be appreciated. On behalf of all the Parish Players, thank you for your continuing support. Donation checks may be mailed to:

            The Parish Players
            PO Box 136
            Thetford, VT 05074

    Membership Dues

    In order to support our communication with our membership, we ask for payment of dues in the amount of $5 per person/year. This pays for the distribution of (3 or 4) newsletters every year. Although we do not provide membership cards, we place your name on our membership mailing list and you are also given the opportunity to vote at the annual meeting in March. Anybody who has ever helped out a PP production in any way is a member and entitled to the benefits of membership. However, if possible, we do ask that all members please pay dues.