Patty Holley

When the Wetumpka Depot Players were in their infancy 35 years ago, the founders of the now award-winning, nationally recognized community theatre  had a vision to provide entertainment and theatre education to the Wetumpka community. Among those visionaries was Grace K. Bishop.  Bishop was a long time educator, artist , author and well known community leader. In memory and in honor of Bishop's contributions to the community, the  Wetumpka Depot Players invest in future talent and potential leaders in the theatre industry by awarding college students majoring in theatre and other arts related university programs, scholarships through the Grace Kappes Bishop Scholarship fund.

The Wetumpka Depot Player's production of The Fantasticks took top honors at Southeastern Theatre Conference on Saturday, March 9 in Mobile, Alabama. Competing against eleven community theatres from across the south, the Wetumpka Depot Players were named Best in Show. The production also took top regional awards with Best Direction, Best Lighting Design and Best Set Design. The musical, a romantic journey of two young people finding true love, featured a company of 15 cast, crew and musicians from the River Region.

The Wetumpka Depot Players seek support to put local community theatre in the regional spotlight. The group will travel their award winning production of The Fantasticks to Mobile, Al in March to represent the state of Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). The nation's largest theatre convention, SETC plays hosts to festivals, workshops and auditions. "Participating at SETC is not only a great honor for the Depot Players, but it is also an investment in the continuation of our production of high quality community theatre," said Kristy Meanor, Depot executive director. "We return from festival with new ideas and a stronger company and all of that positive growth gets passed on to our patrons."

The stage is dark and the lobby is empty. However, the energy of an exciting weekend still exists within the walls of the Wetumpka Depot Player's theatre. After a whirlwind weekend of plays, musicals, workshops and a theatre for youth competition, ACTFEST14 (Alabama's state community theatre festival) is in the books. Adjudicators awarded the Wetumpka Depot Player's production of Jones and Schmidt's classic musical, The Fantasticks, numerous awards including Best in Show.

The Wetumpka Depot Players are celebrating spring with a refreshing musical that is perfect for the entire family. Jones and Schmidt's, The Fantasticks will open April 18 at Wetumpka's award winning community theatre. This irresistible musical, featuring some of the finest music in Broadway history, tells the the story of a boy, a girl, their meddling fathers and the wall that divides them. Full of charming simplicity, captivating music and whimsy, the second show of the Wetumpka Depot's 33rd season is guaranteed entertainment.

The Wetumpka Depot Players are celebrating spring with Jones and Schmidt's The Fantasticks, which will open April 18 at Wetumpka's award winning community theatre. This musical tells the the story of a boy, a girl, their meddling fathers and the wall that divides them.