Mission & History
WHO WE ARE
The Suffield Players, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit community theatre company founded in 1952, now housed in historic Mapleton Hall in Suffield, CT.
OUR MISSION
To craft a high quality theatrical experience for our members, patrons, and the community we serve.
OUR VISION
To create exceptional theater and have a good time doing it, working to professional standards in a distinctive, welcoming, and educational environment.
HALL HISTORY
Mapleton Hall, current home of The Suffield Players, was constructed in 1883 as a Grange Hall to serve the local community.
HISTORY OF THE SUFFIELD PLAYERS
The Suffield Players, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit community theatre company founded in 1952, now housed in historic Mapleton Hall in Suffield, CT. Having organized over 150 productions, we are committed to bringing quality theatre to our audience. With a troupe of over 125 members, each season the company produces three main-stage productions, a holiday benefit, the New Faces program which gives aspiring actors and techies a chance to shine, and three free staged readings with Kent Memorial Library. In addition, The Suffield Players host a summer youth theatre camp and production through CT Imagination Station. They also award annual scholarships, participate in community events, and provide educational opportunities in all aspects of theatre. The Suffield Players work to a standard that is amateur in name only.
In 1952, a group of Suffieldians gathered to begin a new theatrical group. The officers were Phillip H. Graham as president, Mrs. Louis E. Spencer as vice President, Mrs. Marshall Seeley as secretary, and Mrs. E. W. Broder as treasurer. Their first production was Dear Ruth followed by You Can't Take it With You. Prior to moving to their current home, the Players mounted productions at Spaulding Elementary School, Suffield High School, Suffield Academy, Suffield VFW Hall, and staged readings in multiple locations. The group has been in constant production.
The Players originally did two shows a year, one in the fall and one in the spring until 1977 when a winter show was added with Picnic and it became an annual tradition in 1983 with Tartuffe. There are now three main-stage shows annually. The holiday benefit began in 2005 with A Dickens Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts, focused on raising funds to help with the ongoing building renovations and maintenance.
New Faces began in 2012 as a way to encourage new actors and actresses to join our troupe. Featuring talent who have never been on the Mapleton stage or who have had only a minor role, the program is educational in nature. The program expanded in 2015 to involve new directors, playwrights, and techies to provide even more opportunity for the community to dip their toes in the magic of theatre!
The Players have earned multiple awards over the years, through ACT/CONN, Connecticut Drama Festival, and the Massachusetts Critics Circle.
1964
We had listed in our programs that Arsenic and Old Lace was produced in 1967, but some old newspaper clippings in Roger Loomis' early Players photo collection puts the play as our 22nd show and the year 1964. In addition, it lists Alan Fuller playing Teddy Roosevelt, Doris Atkinson as Martha and Joan Bunting as Abby.
1962-1972
Player productions were mounted twice a year until 1983 when Tartuffe began a new tradition of a "three-play season." Because plays were regularly presented in the spring and fall, we have little information of what was occurring during the winters between '62 and '72. We may assume that preparations were underway for the spring productions of The Third Best Sport and The Waltz of the Toreadors, among others.
1968
The Players present Never Too Late. Cast includes Allan Fuller (early President of 1958) and Dottie Fitzgerald who 3 years later would lead the Players' Board.
1952
We may surmise that meetings of the Suffield Drama Club continued at the Suffield Academy. At one such early meeting a reading of The Man Who Came To Dinner was performed, a play that would be produced by the Suffield Players 17 years later.
1954
Light up the Sky is the spring production. Cast notes from an old playbill in '55 indicate George Samuel and Dottie Russell were in this drawing room comedy.
The fall production is Mr. Barry's Etchings, directed by Priscilla Wells and presented for three performances at Spaulding School.&nsbp The cast consisted of original Player members Bunny Nash, Rose Austin and Kay Fiske. Other notables were Ken Bemis, Linda Gardner, Herb Russell and President of the Players that year, Hinsdale (Hinny) Smith, Jr.
1955
Preparations are underway for the spring show of Night of January 16th.
1956
Players perform old sleeper George Washington Slept Here.
1957
Some confusion reigns as to whether Lo and Behold was produced in spring or fall of this year.
1958
Players produce their 12th production The Solid Gold Cadillac on the Spaulding Elementary School Stage.
1972
The Fantasticks, with Dick McCarty playing one of the fathers. This was during the Players' wandering years which included their new home, The Suffield VFW! Perhaps not so fantastic, but beggars can't be choosy!
1974
Plans are underway of the spring production Cat on a Hot Tin Roof directed by Waldo Goodermote and starring Gary McQuillan and Beth Branson as Brick and Maggie. George Dawson plays Big Daddy, Nadine Glover is Mae, and Dot McCarty makes her first stage appearance as Big Mama. Her husband Dick, who just finished a role with Stage West, appears as Reverend Tooker.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens to excellent reviews. Trevens of The Springfield Daily News calls it "a fine little theatre production of which all involved can share director Waldo Goodermote's delight in their good work." Dottie McCarty made her Player debut as Big Mama and "distinguished herself in a very touching and realistic portrayal."
"Extraordinary engagement...Lily the Felon's Daughter was hilarious and complete" so wrote the Springfield Daily News. Reid of the Journal Inquirer call Lily "a delightfully executed melodrama."
This fall production was directed by Waldo Goodermote and featured such familiar Players as Lorraine Dieli, Ginny Keir, Helen Jaehing, Dick McCarty (who "as Jonas Fairweather was delightful") and Jody Akeley (who as Miss Ophelia "spans the vocal range from warbling tremors to a throaty torcher"). The program was hand-lettered by Dotty McCarty to look like an old-time Vaudeville playbill.
1975
The grand period piece Lion in Winter is produced in April which received raves such as: "This theatrical group displays a rare passion for authenticity...it's a knockout...Gordon Glover is masterly as King Henry...Nadine Glover (Eleanor) is simply sensational." So writes Rowland of the J.I. No less complimentary is Hart of The Springfield News: "Crisp direction, dazzling costumes, two fantastic lead performances." Nadine created those costumes and would, 10 years later, return to win costume awards for another period piece, Tartuffe.
A collection of one-act plays is presented at Mapleton Hall in December. Hart of the Springfield Daily News called them "sugared souffl�s--well set, more than adequately acted and crisply directed." I'm Herbert brought together Lorraine Dieli and Dick McCarty, and The Marriage Proposal brought kudos to Gary McQuillan, Ed Yusk, Sue Buntling whose portrayals were billed "hysterical", "explosive" and "sparkling."
1976
Thornton Wilder's farce, The Matchmaker, brought together such popular and long-time Players at Art Jaehing, Gary McQuillan, Lorraine Dieli, Jodie Akeley and Norma Cobb (who played Dolly Levi). The show also marked the first time Richard McCarty and daughter Kit McCarty played on the stage together. It was also the stage debut of Owen and Betsy's son Roger Hedden and John Quenneville (who also was the stage manager and producer!). Waldo Goodermote directed...again!
1977
Dirty Work at the Crossroads opens and Waldo Goodermote directs this "absolutely delightful evening out" (Southwick/Suffield News). Player favorites are Jodie Akeley, Wilf Roy, Norma Cobb and Nadine Glover. Lots of Boos and Hisses and even a Gay Nineties sing-along led by Lorraine Dieli.
The Seahorse was a mini-show produced as part of Suffield's Octoberfest, directed by Gordon Glover. Performed on a makeshift stage in a barn off Main Street, the setting was perfect for the gutsy, earthy performances of Nadine Glover and Wilf Roy. Later that month, Picnic was directed by Waldo Goodermote and featured Player favorites Jodie Akeley, Lorraine Dieli and Dick McCarty. Making their Suffield debuts were Amy Spear, Bill Marsele and Sally Hamlin.
1978
Any Number Can Die, a clever who-dun-it of the "Ten Little Indians" genre, is the spring production. Acclaimed "a first-rate production," kudos went to the techies: Bob Close for set, Owen Hedden for lights and Dave Overson, who made his debut as sound man. The cast was a mix of "old timers" Art Jaehing, Jodie Akeley, Judy Butler, Norma Cobb and Dick McCarty and new Players Mark Lillibridge and President Wilf Roy. It also marked the debut of Chris Akeley and Lyle Pearsons as the butler. (Guess who did it?)
1982
"The Script," initiated in 1982, provides us with informational material that nicely fills in the spaces in Player history. In January, auditions were held for the 50th Player production, The Glass Menagerie. February saw 38 Players and friends charter a bus for their third annual Big Apple Theatre Trip. Mapleton Hall was undergoing a face-lift with new paint, stripped woodwork, new electrical system and emergency lights. The winter of '82 also set loose The Trotsky Brothers...Channel 57's Great Spring Auction spawned the misadventures of a misguided trio of Groucho-masked Russian movers who, in the process of delivering priceless relics to the auction, destroyed them. These hilarious antics were accomplished by "several" Brothers including George Chartier, Konrad Rogowski, Craig Parker, Lyle and Terry Pearsons and a number of other zanies who wish to remain anonymous. At the same time, The Emily Dickinson Living Tableau Ensemble, under the (mis)direction of Steve Hays, provided an artistic output for our lady Players, Nadine Glover, Jodie Akeley, Norma Cobb, Kelly Seip, Carol Lutz, Nance and Sue Pearsons and Lorraine Dieli. Striking poses of great hysterical historical moments through a series of Roman Fountain tableaux, The Ensemble sent the Spring Auction audiences into drama trauma forcing The Ensemble and The Trotskys into video oblivion.
1983
The Players set sail with Luxury Cruise. Most critics credited the acting to keeping the ship afloat. With the hilarious antics of Mary K. Makoski and Norma Cobb at the helm the show was kept from running aground. Add the "Love Boat" routines of passengers Lorraine Dieli and Patty Coope and you had "evenings entertainment in spite of rough water," according to critic Tom Caruso.
1984
One of the funniest musicals ever presented by The Players, Ten by Six by Richard Kinter is cast by Waldo Goodermote and features Player favorites Konrad Rogowski, Lisa Parker, Mary K. Makowski, Lyle Pearsons, Del Ekenberger and for the first time Richard Thornburg. Critics called it "one of the most stylish musical melodramas ever to grace a local stage." No one who saw it will forget the "I can go up" angel scene.
RAPT presents a reading of Konrad Rogowski's Orphans of Eternity at Stockbridge Court in Springfield. Several Players were on hand to read the show which would later be produced by The Players to complete the Dracula trilogy.
February also marked the first showing of "The Wild Tapes." A large screen television was borrowed from Asnuntuck College to give Player members a private screening of Count Dracula, the Players' outstanding '79 production which was videotaped and then spent three years in the editing by our sound engineer extraordinaire Dave Overson.
The Players hosted the first Associated Community Theatres of Connecticut drama festival (ACT/CONN) at Asnuntuck College and walked away with Best Production award for Vanities, along with Best Director (Denise Boutin), Best Actress-HM (Diane Novak), Best Set Design (Lyle Pearsons), Best Costumes (Nadine Glover), and Best Stage Manager (Del Ekenberger) awards. Cast members Kelly Seip and Lisa Parker helped bring home the Players first ACT/CONN awards.
At the June annual meeting, Alcorn scholarships were awarded to Adam Roy and Amanda Hastings.
The Drac makes a comeback in an original horror play by Player Konrad Rogowski. Orphans of Eternity -- Dracula III completed the Dracula Trilogy begun in 1980. Konrad and Lisa Parker reprised their roles of Jonathan and Mina Harker and the Players "brought to light" a new face--that of Rick Anderson as Dracula's son. Also new to the Players' stage were Amanda Hastings, Dave Cobb and Robert Wade. John Howland and Kelly Seip rounded out this production which the Agawam Advertiser called "a creepy drama that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats."
Other moments of the fall of 1984:
kick-off party at the Pearsons
Drac is Back booth at the Oktoberfest
Build Your Own Gargoyle (BYOG) Party at the Hall (Gargoyles were used in Act II of O of E)
ACT/CONN holds workshop given by Players Nadine Glover and Virginia Kier on low budget costuming.1985
Players present Festival of One Act Plays at Asnuntuck College in February. On tap were Aloof, This Property is Condemned, The Seventy-fifth, The Gin Game, California Suite, and Talley's Folly. The winner (selected by adjudicator Steve Hays of Stagewest) was Talley's Folly performed by Konrad Rogowski and Lisa Parker. It went on to participate in the ACT/CONN Festival.An adult fantasy? Well, not quite. The Princess and The Pea was a little quirky, out of this world adventure piece which adults as well as children enjoyed. It starred a large cast of newcomers and introduced many of our acting troupe's children, including Danny Makoski (Chet and Mary K.'s son), Sean Howland (John and Marie's son), Kristie Kreps (Dennis and Sherri's daughter), and Heather Secora (Margie and John's daughter). The play also marked Margie Secora's stage debut with the Players as the pea-brained Princess Olivia. Also, Pat Haynes joined us for the first time as the iron-clad Stella the Strong of Slobovia (ooohh boy...)The Second ACT/CONN Festival is hosted by the Suffield Players and held at Asnuntuck College. Our show Talley's Folly takes Best Production Runner-Up and Director/Actor awards go to Konrad Rogowski. Set and Lighting Design awards go to Craig Parker and Konrad Rogowski, and Jerry Zalewski and John Howland, respectively.How The Other Half Loves saw the debut of Paul Gessay as Frank Foster, husband to Kelly Seip's Fiona. It also marked the Player directorial debut of Margie Secora. Other cast members of this zany Ayckbourne comedy included Player President Patty Coope, Mark Ekenberger, John Howland and Marie Howland. A special production was done in November for cablevision. Gene Biggio organized the taping done with a huge video trailer set up outside the Hall.Winter brought back the cast of Gin Game, John Howland and Kelly Seip. For the umpteenth time this show would be produced in preparation for the ACT/CONN Festival scheduled for April.1986
ACT/CONN awards went to Players entry The Gin Game garnering Best Actress for Kelly Seip, Best Actor-HM for John Howland, Best Director-Lyle Pearsons, Best Costumes to Kelly and Lyle.A series of children's workshops was held in June to introduce young people to acting, auditioning, stage managing and lighting. Margie Secora and Lyle Pearsons rehearse the children for a mini-production of The Wizard of Oz. Little did they know this marked a dramatic career change for both of them.Another workshop, "Backstage 101", was held for adults where 20 attendees from various community theatre groups picked up valuable tidbits from Jerry Zalewski, Dave Overson, Nadine Glover and Bob Thomas from Fitchburg.Continental Cablevision aired two Suffield Players productions in March on their community access channel. The Gin Game and How The Other Half Loves get top ratings.The Players' spring production of the musical Is There Life After High School? proved to be a sellout. The show marked the directorial debut of Ted Levine and featured stellar ensemble performances by Lisa Parker, Craig Parker, Kim Whiteley, Margie Secora, Paul Gessay, Lyle Pearsons, Roger Ochs and Pat Haynes. The rock'em-sock'em High School Reunion Gala on closing night proved there was life after.Hayfever by Noel Coward was produced with "wit, humor and plenty of gusto" according to the Agawam Advertiser. There were many debuts in this stylized British comedy directed by--you guessed it--Waldo Goodermote. They include Mara Dresner and Mary Bellenville, but perhaps most notable was the appearance on stage of Dana Ring and Dorrie Mitchell who have stayed with the Players ever since and actively contributed so much on stage and backstage. Veterans included Lorraine Dieli, Dick McCarty and Mary K. Makoski--all who gave "FIRST-RATE performances."1987
Patty Coope resigns as President and Gene Biggio becomes new Player leader to help usher in 35th season.ACT/CONN entry is Jury of Her Peers which garners Best Costumes, Set, Stage Manager, and Best Director-HM.Spring production is the "moving, passionate" Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Mapleton Avenue is transformed into a French cafe and the 5 member ensemble of Pat Haynes, Lisa Parker, Konrad Rogowski, Richard Thornburg and Margie Secora bring the audience to its feet with a "level of singing, dancing and acting talent that is extremely commendable and impressive." Ted Levine directs and Secora choreographs this "thoroughly enjoyable" musical.Players take over operation of Mapleton Hall when Association leases it to Players for $1 a year.Jesus Christ Superstar kicks off the 35th Anniversary season with its most expensive and most profitable show thus far. The 40 member cast, directed by Lyle Pearsons, created "a production as polished as any professional touring company" (Journal Inquirer). Featured players are Jeff Piubeni, Kelly Crowley, Margie Secora, Konrad Rogowski, Roger Ochs and Pat Haynes. They led this "show of superlatives" to critical acclaim including the Moss Hart award for the Best Community Theater Production in New England.1988
Something entirely different was offered--an audience participation murder mystery play written by 3 Players members: Gene Biggio (President), George Chartier (Publicity), Lyle Pearsons (VP Planning). "Another unforgettable show," "a skillfully crafted who-dun-it," a "light-hearted send-up of the mystery genre." The cast included Player favorites Kelly Seip, Mary K. Makoski, John Howland, Ed Gogulski, Mark Proulx, Dana Ring and Margie Secora. Newcomers were Tim O'Brien, Phil Prather, Kim Wilker and Nannie Brown as the doctor from the audience.The first part of the play, Sorry, Wrong Number, went on to win 5 awards at the Connecticut Drama Festival including Best Connecticut Production.Crimes of the Heart marked Konrad Rogowski's first full-length, mainstage directorial debut. The play marked the end of the 35th Anniversary season and the 13th show for its lead actresses Kelly Seip, Mary K. Makoski and Lisa Parker. "The case delivers the kind of exemplary acting which distinguishes SP as one of the finest Community Theatre groups in our area."35th Anniversary Masked Ball was held to celebrate the year. The Hall was transformed into an 18th century French Ballroom with feasting, dancing, amusements betting on hamster races (and touring the stalls of various other livestock including chickens and sheep), and even dueling. A grand end to a grand year.
1995
The winter production was An Evening of One-Acts produced over three weekends in February and March. The three plays were The Temp directed by Kelly Seip, Chores directed by Bob Demetrius and Zoo Story directed by Ed Gogulski. The Temp went to the ACT/CONN Festival at the L. P. Wilson Center and carried away awards for Best Production Runner-Up, Best Director for Kelly, Best Actor for Scott Grumling, Best Supporting Actress-HM for Amy Heft Facey and the Stage Managers Award to Kelly Wright. Not to be outdone, Zoo Story won awards at the 1996 ACT/Conn Festival for Best Production Runner-Up and Best Ensemble, due to the excellent performances by Rick Anderson and Dana Ring.
This was followed by Nunsense's successful four-weekend run, featuring Jane Okai, Jane Kitz, Jennifer Decoste, Paula Cortis, Mary Broderick, Amy Heft Facey and Mona Tiglio (Drumgold). John Howland directed, assisted by Rick Anderson.
Scholarships were awarded at the annual meeting. The Biggio Scholarships went to Mike Moreau and Katie Alaimo for the Academy of Performing Arts, to Mickey Allen and Derek Donnelly for the Suffield Academy, and to Amy Modzelesky for STAGE. The Alcorn Scholarships went to Cheryl Baldyga for University of Hartford and Heather Secora for Westfield State College.
The year drew to a close with the October-November production of Death of a Salesman, directed by Denise Boutin and featuring John Howland as Willy Loman.