Plays & Players Theatre Celebrates Its 100th Birthday 3/20

Plays & Players (P&P), founded in 1911 by a group of forward-thinking Philadelphians, has the privilege of being one of the oldest continually operating theatres in the country. For its centennial anniversary, Plays & Players is planning a year of celebratory events - starting with a 100th Birthday Party for the Plays & Players' Theatre on March 20, 2011 from 3-6pm.

"For 100 years, Plays & Players Theatre has held the vital role in the Philadelphia theatre community of being a place for emerging and established local artists to practice and perform their crafts," said William Egan, Plays & Players Board President. "I am honored to be part of a community of artists that has supported such a mission for over a century."

The Rittenhouse Foundation is showing its support for this historic occasion by sponsoring the theatre's birthday party on March 20. P&P members, donors and friends are invited to join in a champagne toast to the building's 100 years and be the first to see what's in store for the future, including the announcement of the 2011-2012 100th Anniversary Season.

In its 100 years of operation, Plays & Players Theatre has never closed its doors. This historic building, entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, has been a pivotal place for members of the theatre community to rehearse, perform and interact. Philadelphia Theatre Company made Plays & Players Theatre its home for decades, and now 1812 Productions and Theatre Exile use P&P's theatre as their resident stage.

To support the growing needs of the variety of artists at Plays & Players, the Wyncote Foundation recently awarded P&P a $25,000 grant to refurbish its third floor and turn its studio into a fully functional black box theatre.

"Plays & Players has a rich historic past and a vibrant contemporary presence in the Philadelphia theatre community," said Daniel Student, Plays & Players Artistic Director. "From the beginning, Plays & Players members always put community first, and that still holds true today."

Plays & Players (P&P) is at once 100 years old and 3 years old, having recently changed from a community theatre to a professional theatre. P&P engages and involves the local community in professional quality theatre and performing arts by producing new and classic theatrical productions with local artists; crafting collaborative opportunities with other performing arts companies; offering adult and family focused educational programs; and preserving, restoring and enhancing our historic Plays and Players Theatre. Plays & Players (P&P): community taking center stage for 100 years and counting. For more information please visit www.playsandplayers.org.