The North Shore Players

THE NORTH SHORE PLAYERS

The first inception of the North Shore Players was when the Danvers Womens' Association decided to put on a play as a fund raiser in 1956. They got a cast and production crew together with the help of some men from the Danvers Jaycees. "You Can't Take It With You" was the play of choice, and was presented to a standing room only audience at the former auditorium in the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers. The show was such a huge success that two additional performances were presented at the Essex Agricultural School's auditorium in Hawthorne the following week. The group had so much fun that they decided to form the Danvers Community Theatre and their first show was Jean Kerr's "King of Hearts" in the spring of 1958. These early years of Danvers Community Theatre saw some competition with a rival local group called the Theatrecrafters that was formed in 1961. Although each group was reasonably successful they found that Danvers could not support members or audiences of two local theatre companies. The two groups decided to merge in late 1968 and became known as the Danvers Community Theatrecrafters. Early in 1970, due to the growth of the membership and acceptance of members from surrounding communities, the group voted to change their name to the North Shore Players.

The North Shore Players produced their first musical, "Mame," in 1971 and have tried to perform one musical each season since then. In addition to dramas and comedies, the group also does "road shows" that travel and perform for local organizations. North Shore Players have been competing at the New England Theatre Conference held each year at Brandeis University, a drama festival competition, and have won several awards for excellence in various aspects of theatre.

The North Shore Players have had a representative on the Danvers Arts Council Steering Committee since the Arts Council was established. Through grants received the group, has performed for several Senior Citizens groups and have received monies to purchase much-needed theatrical equipment.

The North Shore Players has established a scholarship called the Viola Patten Scholarship for the Performing Arts to be awarded each year to a student who will be pursuing a career in the performing arts.

The North Shore Players was established as a non-profit organization in 1975. This Danvers-based community theatre welcomes all people of all ages who enjoy all phases of community theatre, both in appearing on-stage as well as working behind the scenes. Membership is open to all.

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Youth Theatre The Magical Land of Oz (Audition)

Main Stage Production Cheaper by the Dozen (Auditions info)

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