In November 2004, The Barnstormers added two Singer-songwriter Nights, bringing the best regional performer's music to the stage in Ridley Park. The Barnstormers also have a rich history of winning both State, Regional and International Play competitions.
Theatre Grows Roots in Ridley
Before The Barnstormers organization was created there was a loosely formed group that produced skits, musical, and minstrel shows for their own amusement and diversion. Their activities were originally held on the second floor in Ward's Hall on Hinckley Avenue at Sellers Avenue. This was the only place in the Borough where dancing and public functions could be held.
Their first performance was The Arabian Nights presented on January 22, 1909. Production in those days was not always a full two or three-act play. On May 13, 1910, the first public performance was held, previous performances being limited to club members only. The stage of the playhouse originally had no wings, entrances, or exits. Rugs would be hung as backdrops and lace curtains used to represent windows. Rehearsals were held in private homes.
LOCATION: ON THE RIVERSIDE
barnstormerstheater.com
402 Tome St.
Ridley Park, PA. 19078
(610) 461-9969
The Players Club is a popular community theater based in Swarthmore that produces seven “Mainstage Shows” each year in their 300-seat theater, and several smaller, more avant-garde productions are produced for their 80-seat black-box theater known as “Second Stage.”This season they celebrate 106 years of outstanding entertainment that all began with a minstrel show at the beginning of the last century. To raise money for the Women’s Club of Swarthmore, a group of local men put on an evening of skits and songs on April 28th & 29th, 1911. The benefit was so successful that a committee was formed to consider the feasibility of turning the troupe into a permanent organization. On November 2nd, 1911, 24 men resolved to organize themselves as “the Players Club of Swarthmore,” and on November 20th they adopted a constitution and by-laws, created a board of governors, and elected officers.
The Women’s Club, on Park Avenue across from where the library is today, was the site of the first regular production of the new group, on January 3rd, 1912 — and was to be the home of the Players Club for the next 20 years. By the 3rd season, in addition to vaudevilles and concerts, they were putting on full-length plays — although one-act plays, some of them written by our own members, remained the norm for the next several years.
The Club recognized the need to expand from a private club to a Community Theater open to the public, and it became much more of a meritocracy, and a new confidence led to more ambitious productions. A talented new corps of actors, directors, and designers made the Players Club their home — and additional performances were scheduled — including Sunday matinees and programs like the young people’s theater workshop and the script-in-hand theater were begun. Attendance, membership and income increased through the 1980’s, as lines for hit productions — especially musicals — snaked into the parking lot.
One Act PlaysJan. 26 & 27
Murder Comes to the Barn Series
Feb. 23, 24, Mar 2, 3
Feb. 25 & Mar. 4
Forever Plaid
Apr. 13, 14, 20, 21
Apr. 15
Monty Python’s SPAMalot
Jun. 1, 2, 8, 9
Jun. 3
LOCATION: ON OUR MAIN STREETS
Players Club of Swarthmore
614 Fairview AVE
Swarthmore, PA 19081
610-558-0988
This unique non-profit theatre company is providing its 76th season of entertaining and enlightening community theatre. Using local actors, members and volunteers they provide quality productions for audiences of all ages.
A Housewife’s Initiative Sets the Stage for a New Theatre Company
Because Mrs. Nellie Saylor, a Westgate Hills housewife, became bored with suburban domesticity, she called a few neighbors and close friends to her home on January 20,1941 to initiate the idea of a Little Theater Group in the community. The ten men and women present that night were so in favor of the idea they immediately formed the Westgate Players, and elected Mrs. Saylor as the first President.
The curtain rose on their first show, A Full House, on April 1,1941 in the Llanerch Fire Hall. For the 1952-53 season, the Westgate Players moved to the Lynnwood School where great performances of shows like Born Yesterday, Solid Gold Cadillac, Seven Year Itch, and Once More with Feeling, began straining even the Lynnwood School’s capacity! Continued growth and success led them to several other locations, arriving finally at the Swarthmore United Methodist Church which graciously opened its doors to the group now known as Spotlight Theatre.
Though it has no affiliation to the church, Spotlight Theatre is grateful for the hospitality and support of SUMC and looks forward to proudly continuing the tradition of bringing quality “live” theatre at affordable prices to Delaware County.
2018-2019 Season
January - February – Promises, Promises
Check back later for complete season listing
Jan. 26, 27, 28*, Feb 2, 3, 9, 10, 2018
Evenings at 8 PM – Tickets $20.00
*Matinee at 2 PM – Tickets $15.00
A musical version of The Apartment! A junior executive at an insurance company seeks to climb the corporate ladder by allowing his apartment to be used by his married superiors for trysts.
LOCATION: ON OUR MAIN STREETS
spotlighttheatrepa.org
Performance Location:
Swarthmore United Methodist Church
129 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(Not affiliated with SUMC)
Mailing Address:
Spotlight Theatre
129 Park Ave, Swarthmore, Pa 19081
610-328-1079