Playmakers History

No history of Playmakers Civic Theatre would be accurate and complete without featuring the banner logo (seen above) of one of the theatre's founders, Eddie Edwards' "downtown newsletter", from which early promotion of our theatre's productions became so crucial to the its success. Eddie always began his theatre features with Eddie Sez: For nearly a decade, Eddie and his "Sport Clinton Post" reflected the humor, wisdom and marketing savvy of one of P.C.'s most well-known merchants. The first male member of Playmakers Civic Theatre, Eddie would later be instrumental in saving the organization from "going under" back in the early '60s. It is with love, respect and appreciation that we dedicate this Website to his memory. Please enjoy.
Editors Pro Tem: Karin Messner and Ro Chapman.

LOCAL WOMEN ORGANIZE THEATRE GROUP

Nov. 4, 1946... Eleven women met last evening in the home of Margaret Murphey to organize a Little Theatre Group. Mrs. Marguerite Finefrock was elected president of the new organization. The ladies look forward to working with the Merchants Assocation in the production of a Minstrel Show next February followed by "Papa Is All" later in the year.

CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER!

The Various Locations

1940's... in Members' Homes

1950's... Erie Gardens Community Room (School bus garage)

City Council Room A Barn on Linden and State Streets Schaffer Building, Third and Monroe Streets Jaycee Hall (third floor above the present Barbara's Consignment Shoppe)

1960's... Bobs' Seafare Room

1970's-to the Present... A "Majorette Hall" on W. Sixth Street now known as Playmakers Civic Theatre

ANOTHER SHOW, ANOTHER STAGE

1954... Ottawa County Court House Jury Box (Inherit the Wind)

1957... Catholic School Auditorium (Three One-Act Plays)

1958...Tent on American Legion Lakefront Lot (present Comfort Inn) (Our Town)

1959...The Armory (Minstrel)

1965... Bataan Elementary School (Beginning a 2-Play Season)

1966-70... Jr. High School (now offering 3-Play Seasons)

1971-to the Present... Playmakers Civic Theatre Presenting a 4-Play Main Season, Summer and Minor Seasons

TECHNICAL CREWS AT WORK

1947... A hard working crew of Playmaker members has recently completed construction of fourteen new 12' muslin covered "flats" to be used in staging future productions. Like the members themselves, these flats will lead a nomadic existence. They will be stacked and/or repainted in Wilbur Petersen's garage on E. Third Street, Dr. Merrik's barn, the old Daily News building, Minderman Marine and the third floor of the old East High School building across from the Court House. Too large for the W. 6th Street stage 50 years from now, they will have found their way to the Scene Shop of the Performing Arts Center at Port Clinton High School, where student actors will sign their names under their grandparents' signatures on the back of the same flats.

Ironically, costumes once stashed in members' homes, on the third floor of Edwards Men's Store and in the National Bank Building will also eventually be stored at the Performing Arts Center. Thanks to community cooperation, they will be used in both student and Playmaker productions in exchange for free storage.

"OUR TOWN" TENT WITHSTANDS GALE FORCE WINDS ON LAKEFRONT

August 7, 1958... Playmakers Civic Theatre cast member Dick Smith reports that all is well with the huge tent now standing on the American Legion lot on E. Perry Street. The tent has been erected to house the local theatre group's upcoming production of "Our Town" In spite of 45 mile an hour winds, the show will open on schedule and promises to attract as many as 700 theatre goers.

PLAYMAKERS, JAYCEES TO DISBAND

1961... Despite the efforts of a few dedicated members, two of our finest civic organizations will soon be going "out of business." In each case, officers site lack of involvement in the community as the reason for current difficulties. A local merchant, Eddie Edwards, has, however, offered both groups the opportunity to make one last attempt at revitalization. If Edwards has his way, a joint, community-wide, fund raising Minstrel Show will be held next year. Each group will be taking a pivotal vote this fall. Here's hoping they make it!

TRAGEDY MARS MINSTREL SHOW SUCCESS

1962... It is with great sadness that we must report the death of Bill Shannon, a chorus member in the recent Jaycee/Playmaker Minstrel show. Just after performing his "Asleep In the Deep" solo, Bill returned to his seat onstage and died quietly. Much appreciation must be given to "End Man" Bill Mack, who was able to keep the show moving smoothly without the audience ever realizing what had happened. Perhaps it is a fitting tribute to Bill that this show has been the turning point for both of these fine organizations.

THEATRE GROUP TO TACKLE TWO STRAIGHT PLAYS AFTER THREE YEARS OF MUSICALS

1965... Playmakers are taking a "leap of faith" this year by producing not one, but two "straight" plays. Short on experience, but long on courage, the theatre group is currently flying Director Johnny Conkle Weimerschirtts over from Put-in-Bay for nightly rehearsals of "The Tender Trap". "Trap" will be followed by that comedy classic, "You Can't Take It With You", which should prove to be another milestone in Playmaker growth.

PLAYMAKERS ANNOUNCE FIRST SEASON TICKET CAMPAIGN

1966... PCT President Karen Miller has announced that Playmakers will be, for the first time, presenting a planned, three play season with a Season Ticket to be sold in advance. Careful budgeting allows the local theatre group to offer "Three Shows for $3" based on a $3,300 budget. Now that's a good buy! (Still a good buy 33 years later: "Five plays for $20", based on a $65,000 budget!)

PLAYMAKERS CAST 150 IN "HI NEIGHBOR"

1969... Billed as an original musical, Playmakers' upcoming "Hi Neighbor" will be showcasing more than 150 local singers, actors and dancers, many of whom have never appeared onstage before. Director/Writing Co-ordinator Ro Chapman reports that the show is similar to the old Playmaker/Jaycee Minstrels which did so much to bring the community together. The show will play to Standing Room Only houses at the Port Clinton Jr. High.

COCHRAN MAJORETTE HALL DEEDED TO PLAYMAKERS

1971..."Never Too Late" will, appropriately, be the last play ever performed by Playmakers Civic Theater on the Jr. Hi Stage. The local theatre group, nomads for decades, has finally found a home. Despite drafts, a leaky roof, lack of insulation, roaring, flame-belching furnaces, and an overhead garage door entry, the metal pole barn might just one day be made into an acceptable theatre.

"GODOT" DIRT AND "TEAHOUSE" GOATS A THING OF THE PAST

1978... No longer will Playmakers Civic Theatre directors be able to drive a dump truck full of topsoil into the theatre to unload for the set of a "Waiting for Godot", or a jeep topped with a live goat as they did for "Teahouse of the August Moon". With the removal of the overhead garage door at the front of the building and the installation of a permanent seating rise, Playmakers is entering another era in audience comfort. (Editorial Note: Numerous other animals have also graced the Playmaker stage including dogs, cats, a small pink pig and Pete the Possum, who actually lived under the stage during the entire production of "The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail"!)

AVANT-GARDE PRODUCTIONS ENHANCE PLAYMAKER SEASON

1969... Playmaker President Jacque Chapman introduced a brand new concept recently during a meeting at the Ida Rupp Library. Members and their guests were treated to the first Minor Season production, "Madwoman of Challiot." Minor season shows are presented, free of charge, as a bonus to Season Ticket holders. Their style, subject matter, etc. are something other than might generally be presented in the regular season. Experimental or Avant Guarde theatre allows members and theatre-goers to broaden their horizons.

1971... Director Jan Meyer has cast "The Clock Shop", the first Playmaker Teen Theatre Production.

1975... Playmakers' "Stories of America," a Readers Theatre presentation, was recently entered in competiton at the ACT Festival in Wapakoneta. The readers have been performing locally for civic groups for several months. Unfortunately an ACT Judge, James Albrecht, questioned the validity of Readers Theatre and the yellow shoes worn by one of the actors. He was not popular with the cast. (This same Judge would later move to Port Clinton and direct both Playmaker productions of "Move Over, Mrs. Markham." He has been forgiven! This same production was repeated for the Minor Season show in 1998)

1980..."Inpromptu", a Playmaker Minor Season Production, has won the Ohio Community Theatre Regional and will be going to State...first time ever in PCT history.

1982... Playmakers Civic Theatre will be presenting an evening of wine and cheese tasting along with topnotch entertainment this summer, when "Jacques Brel", a musical review opens a summer theatre run.

1995... "Jacques Brel" is still a winner, debuting along with "Greater Tuna" in Playmakers first Summer Theatre in the newly air conditioned W. 6th St. Theatre.

OTHER "HOME IMPROVEMENTS" MEAN PROGRESS AT PLAYMAKERS

1973... Two hundred new black chairs will soon be in place at the Theatre. Members "sit tested" five different styles before choosing these.

1975... After years of heated discussion, PCT has invested in a new roof.

1982... Pres. Doug Meyer recently accepted the gift of a storage garage from The Port Clinton Yacht Club.

1985... PCT Poet Laureate James Rusincovitch has composed an "Ode to the New Johns" in honor of our newly installed bathrooms and lobby. No longer will patrons of the arts have to sit with their legs crossed throughout a peformance. Thanks to Ganneft for their sponsorship on this project.

1988... Building Manager Dot Wall has announced the first Playmaker Creative Junk Sale scheduled for this summer. Proceeds will be used to pave our front parking lot...again and again and again.

1996... PCT Board launches campaign for storage/set construction building, or new theatre.

THE PRESENT:

With well over 5,000 people from a five state area attending Playmaker productions each Season, and with 178 Guild members working on and all around the stage, we members feel proud of our little community theater as it begins its Fifty-Second Year, located at the Gateway to Ohio's Island Vacationland! Please come and visit soon. You won't forget us.

Editing by The Really Useful Media Company