History:
Bay City Players, Michigan's oldest continuously-operating community theatre, debuted on March 19, 1917, performing as the Bay City Art Club. During World War I, this hardy band of actors performed in members' homes as part of the Thursday Morning Musicale and continued in the 1920s as the Musicale-Art Club. By 1929, it was renamed Bay City Theatre Guild. In 1931, it received the name it uses today, Bay City Players.
The impetus for organizing these early theatrical performances came from Mrs. J.D. (Emily) Grinnell, who is credited with being the founder. During its first 38 years, Bay City Players performed in a variety of places, including private homes, local opera houses, schools, church halls and movie theaters. It purchased its present home, the Pines Theater movie house, in 1955. Since that time, there have been a number of renovations which have resulted in additions to the stage, an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, several storage areas for props, costumes, scenery and furniture, a rehearsal room, an office, a spacious lobby and other amenities.
A number of theatrical offerings are availabe through Bay City Players' various programs. Typical seasons consist of five productions, which include comedies, dramas and usually one or two musicals. Extra shows may be added for special purposes, such as benefits. There are two youth program, Youtheatre and Stages of Discovery. Youtheatre runs from March through June with workshops culminating in a series of one-act plays directed by high school students. Stages of Discovery runs throughout the summer, and provides a number of varied learning and performing opportunities for area youth. In addition, a senior readers theatre program, The Recyclables, performs throughout the region.
