Your support is most appreciated. Click on the following link to donate online. If you wish to mail in a check, please download the Pledge Form below.
Pledge Form in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format *
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, your donation to the Goshen Players is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
* To download the above form you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader: www.adobe.com
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In the frigid winter of 1949, Dr. and Mrs. Doloff of Goshen convinced a small cadre of friends and neighbors to join them on the tiny stage of the Town Hall for a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury. The stage was minute; there was no lighting; there was no backstage; there was no heat or insulation; and there was no running water. This was the first time that anything like this adventure had taken place. It was also winter in Goshen with knee deep crunching snow, crackling ice, and howling winds.
What were they thinking?
Despite the pioneer conditions and with the support of their families and friends, this talented and enthusiastic group endured and created magic on the small stage. Their love of the written play and music along with their contagious enthusiasm brought a winter-worn community together. Their optimism inspired the birth of the Goshen Players in 1949 which is now the second-longest consecutively running theatre group in Connecticut. The magic of that simple production marked the beginning of a tradition of excellence in theatre as well as the spirit of camaraderie and family which is the glue of this organization. For 60 years, generations of families and friends have gathered together as a community to share in this same spirit.
The support and appreciation from the community over the years have fueled the growth of the Goshen Players. Many changes have taken place since that simple production in 1949. Here are just a few!
- The Goshen Players are now Goshen Players, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, organized in 1986
- The Town Hall is now the Old Town Hall and is owned outright by Goshen Players, Inc.
- The building has heat.
- There is running and potable water.
- The stage has grown.
- The lighting is now professional theatre grade.
- 2005-2006 marked the first official theatrical season in which more than a spring musical was offered.
In addition to these improved facility changes, many other things have changed in relation to our productions over the last 60 years: royalties for a spring musical now average $4000, musicians must be paid, directors must be paid, set building custs have escalated, light rentals have risen, the cust uf heating the building has skyrucketed, mailing custs have gone through the roof, printing and paper costs have tripled, box office and telephone costs are on the rise, insurance for our building and our audience is out of sight. These changes are realities of which our friends are not always aware.
The Goshen Players of today has an obligation to our community to continue the traditions and values started by those first Players. Community plays an integral part in the success of the Players. Through their volunteerism and annual financial support, the Players are able to move forward. Our friends are part of the adhesive that holds this wonderful, familiar, thespian troupe together.
As we begin to prepare for the remainder of our season, we need your help and ask for your support by donating to our annual appeal to help off set the rising costs of mounting a production and the maintenance of the building. Your help will assist in underwriting the royalties, renting a theatrical light or cable, building the set, buying the paint, or contributing to the utilities of the building. Many friends have helped bring us this far. I hope that you will help us go another 60 years.
We look forward to seeing you in the audience and I hope that you will consider us in your annual giving to worthy organizations. You will be rewarded with an outstanding season of theatre and the arts.
Kudos,
GOSHEN PLAYERS, INC.
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