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About the Wimberley Players…
The Wimberley Players presented
their first show in an elementary school auditorium 30 years ago.
Lighting was hidden in coffee cans above the makeshift scenery. Costumes
were homemade. Some in the audience couldn’t hear the dialogue due to
poor acoustics. But applause at the end was wildly enthusiastic—the
volunteer Players were on their way.
Since a small band of theatre
enthusiasts founded the group in 1979, the Players have survived many an
obstacle, from rising floodwaters to mysterious critters romping through
musty walls in a tiny, leased facility. Through it all, they have stayed
focused on bringing the magic of theatre to the community.
Abandoning the elementary school
because of poor acoustics, the early Players were granted use of a
vacant greenhouse which they converted into the 77-seat Greenhouse
Theatre. With little more than 700 square feet for stage and the edge
of the stage a few feet from the first row, the Greenhouse was dubbed,
“Theatre in the Lap.” The first production there was staged in September
1980, and the Players have operated continuously in Wimberley ever
since.
Population growth
Beginning in the 1990s and early
2000s, population growth brought new talent and new audiences to the
Wimberley area. The Players’ season of dramatic productions and musicals
was expanded to five shows, with most performances sold out. Volunteer
actors, directors, and stage hands emerged in greater numbers than ever,
and continuous quality improvement became the mantra.
With the growth in audiences and the
physical decline of the Greenhouse Theatre over the years, the need for
adequate quarters and a permanent home became increasingly urgent. Early
in 2004, the Players purchased property at 450 Old Kyle Road with a
building suitable for renovation. Fund-raising efforts brought generous
response from individuals, community organizations and several
Texas-based foundations.
Home at last
Inaugurated in September 2006 with
the blockbuster musical, “1776,” the new playhouse is a visible
statement for the arts in central Wimberley. Conveniently located near
the Village Square, the 5,500 sq. ft.
Wimberley Playhouse seats 117, including ample handicap space for wheel
chairs. Modern lighting and sound, adequate restrooms, lighted
parking and ADA compliance are major improvements.
Anyone interested in theatre may
become a member of the Players by paying modest annual dues. Currently
there are 300 member units, including families, individuals and
businesses. Audition notices before each show entice novices and
professionals alike to take part in the fun and the challenge of a
volunteer community theatre.
The future
In mid-2005, a large committee was
formed to develop a strategic plan for the organization, which was
adopted by the Board of Directors early in 2006. The plan includes goals
and objectives to guide the Players development as they enter a new era
in their permanent home—with provision for continuous updating of the
plan. A new Vision statement was written to accompany the existing
Mission statement. Both reflect the focus of the Wimberley Players on
improvement of the quality of theatrical productions and the importance
of the arts as part of community life.
2010 Players Board
By-Laws, Wimberley Players (Word file)
Vision and Mission
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