Peninsula Players Theatre Receives Governor's Award for Arts, Culture and Heritage

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, received the Governor's Award for Arts, Culture and Heritage at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism (WIGCOT) earlier this week in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This award is presented to a business or destination that showcases the arts, culture, or heritage for the enhancement and economic wellbeing of a community.

The Governor's Awards acknowledge leadership, commitment, and innovation among the people and organizations that propel the tourism industry forward and is sponsored by the Governor's Council on Tourism.

Tuesday evening at the Governor's Dinner, with nearly 1,000 Wisconsin business owners and tourism professionals in attendance, Gov. Scott Walker presented the awards.

"As America's oldest professional resident summer theater, Peninsula Players has been committed to developing the arts and artists in northeastern Wisconsin and Door County since 1935. The theater became the cornerstone of a burgeoning performing and visual arts scene which continues to grow to this day," the citation read. "Since it first opened, Peninsula Players has presented over 450 plays, enhancing the lives of tens of thousands of audience members. Many talented and distinguished actors have graced the stage, establishing a reputation for an outstanding theater experience. Peninsula Players is a pillar in the local community and helped establish the region's reputation for having one of the very best and most unique performing arts scenes in the nation."

Peninsula Players Managing Director Brian Kelsey was present to accept the award for the Players.

"Peninsula Players is very proud to have received this award," Kelsey said. "Peninsula Players was nominated with several other awe inspiring organizations and is thrilled to be honored as a culture treasure and arts ambassador, not only for Door County but for the entire state. Cultural tourism is a crucial piece of the industry driving significant economic impact into individual communities as well as the state as a whole. We are very thankful for all of the local businesses, residents and the many tourists who have supported our organization over the past 79 years."

Artistic Director Greg Vinkler was wrapping up a Players winter event in Door County and was unable to attend. "The Peninsula Players is extremely honored to be awarded this distinction," Vinkler said. "We are very proud and happy to play a part in Wisconsin's tourism industry, and especially delighted in being an ongoing participant in Door County's rich history. I would also add that the entire company of Peninsula Players, both past and present, shares this award. It takes a fully collaborative effort to maintain the special heritage of this grand summer theater, and we are extremely grateful for all those performers, designers, technicians, directors, administrators, volunteers, members of the board of directors, donors and patrons who have returned season after season since 1935 to support Door County's first professional theatrical troupe."

Peninsula Players was founded by a brother and sister team, Caroline and Richard Fisher, who dreamed of an artistic utopia in the north woods where actors, designers and technicians could focus on their craft while being surrounded by nature in a contemplative setting.

Peninsula Players location along the shore of Green Bay provides a serene location for patrons as well. Prior to performances, patrons relax and picnic on the grounds while watching the setting sun over the waters of Green Bay from the cedar-lined shore and enjoy the ambience of the beer garden and other gardens.

The Fishers' dream lives on as professional actors, directors and designers work side-by-side with college interns while living on the Players 16-acre campus as they bring audiences a variety of works including dramas, mysteries, comedies and musicals. In fall, 2005, the troupe closed its season early to build a new stage house and all-weather audience pavilion.

The Peninsula Players performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. in the summer. With the opening of the fall show Sept. 3 curtain times are Tuesday through most Sundays at 7 p.m. The closing Sunday performance of each show will have a 4 p.m. matinee, July 6, July 27, Aug. 17, Aug. 31, and Oct. 19.

Discount tickets are now available for season ticket holders and groups for the Players 2014 season. Individual tickets are currently available by phoning the Box Office. Individual tickets will be available online mid-May following the completion of our season renewal process. Individual ticket prices range from $35 to $44. There are no performances on Mondays. For more information or to reserve tickets phone the Peninsula Players' box office at 920-868-3287 or visit the website at www.peninsulaplayers.com.