MISSION

Our mission as the Chamber Players is two-fold. First, to provide opportunity for local citizens to discover and develop their own talent within the theatre arts curriculum. Secondly, to provide our underserved, rural community with a quality cultural arts experience utilizing the talent of local individuals from all walks of life.

OUR BEGINNING

In February of 1991, a public meeting was held to discover any interest in community theatre, and if so, discuss the possibility of staging a production.  As a result, three performances of “The Curious Savage” were held in July 1991.  This event was made possible by the financial support of many individuals and various local businesses, the Methodist Church of Garnett for providing a location, the dedication of a director and 11 actors, and many volunteers who helped make three nights of dinner theatre a 300 ticket sell-out.

With the success of “Savage” and the overwhelming appreciation of an outstanding community audience behind us, we produced “Arsenic and Old Lace” as a dinner theatre production for three nights in August of 1992.  With the momentum of two successful productions pushing us onward, plans were made for a third production for summer 1993. However, for various reasons, it was not meant to be. Nor would we see a production completed in 1994.

At this point in time it became apparent that to keep our community theatre group from becoming a “has-been”, serious and sincere measures would need to be taken.  In October 1994, those with the greatest enthusiasm, dependability, and leadership took the necessary steps to add a third dinner theatre production to the Chamber Players resume.  And with the aid of a Kansas Arts Commission grant, the Chamber Players produced “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” in February 1995.  “Tomatoes” was literally a child of perseverance and determination, and as it turned out, a resurrection of our fledgling theatre troupe. Seven months later we produced our fourth show, two productions in one calendar year! 

Over the years we have bounced around from one venue to another, seven different “borrowed” locations none of which were ideal, but we made the best of them. In 2003, we began a “Building Fund” with the dream of one day owning our own home.  The fund began with a generous donation of $5,000 from Garnett resident Thelma Moore. Others donated to the fund, and as it grew we looked at several options, none that seemed right.  Then, in the summer of 2007, the Chamber Players were approached by the United Presbyterian Church, and asked if we would be interested in being stewards of their historic building.  At last a facility that seemed right, a building that was a good fit for what we were needing. We accepted their offer, and in November 2007, we purchased the church building and began the process of converting it into a theatre.  We are proud to share with our community the place we call home: 

The Thelma Moore Community Playhouse.
Text Box: The Chamber Players Community Theatre Text Box: About Us Text Box: 2010/2011OFFICERS President ………….…… Tom Emerson, Jr Vice-President …..…....…. Vicki Markham Secretary …………...….. Melinda Holloran Treasurer ………………..…..... Gary Stapp Member At-Large ………….. Karen Katzer Member At-Large …..... Denise Scheibmeir Past President ……….....… Jackie Fursman Text Box: As the saying goes, “Membership has it’s privledges.” Your support of the Chamber Players, as a member, entitles you to the opportunity to purchase play tickets prior to the tickets going on sale to the general public. In addition, you will be notified by mail of the annual Membership Meeting and will receive a ballot for casting your vote for your favorite actor/actress. The CPCT awards are then presented at the annual membership meeting. You will also be invited to attend any special events we may attend as a group. In the past, we have enjoyed the productions of other theatre groups and hope to make another “road trip” this year. Membership does not require you to participate in the production of a show, though your help on stage or behind the scenes would be welcome if you are interested. The membership year begins in July, however memberships are accepted at any time. Beginning in January, membership dues for the remainder of the membership year are half price. Membership Categories Benefactor, $100; Patron, $25; Individual, $10 Treasurer, CPCT 140 W. 5th Ave Garnett, KS 66032

Thelma Moore with Gary Stapp

at The Thelma Moore Community Playhouse grand opening production, March 2008.

 

Thelma passed away on June 6, 2009 at the age of 104 years and 4 months.

 

A very gracious lady, she will be missed.
Text Box: CPCT Age Restriction Policy Effective April, 2008, the Board of Directors adopted the following policy: No admittance to performances for infants or children age 3 or younger. Children between the age of 4 and 5 will be permitted to attend a show at the discretion of the parent/guardian, providing the parent/guardian agrees to take the child from the theatre if he/she becomes noisy or unruly. This is a courtesy meant to provide the best possible theatre experience for all patrons. Many theatres have similar age restrictions in place. CPCT appreciates your compliance with this policy. Text Box: ADVERTISE WITH US ! BE A CORPORATE SPONSOR ! Support a Chamber Players production as a Corporate Sponsor for $500. Your sponsorship will be noted on the front cover of the program and your full page ad will prominently fill the back program cover. Additionally, your sponsorship will appear on our newspaper ad and on our full-color publicity posters. For more information, contact Vicki Markham, Advertising Chairperson, 785-448-4644

 

Bubba’s

Gas ‘n Go

and

Velvet Painting Museum

 

 

 

 

An Elvis sighting with

every fill-up!

Owner: Bubba Bedford

There’s a place for your ad in our performance program!  Current rates are: 1/4 page ad $25, 1/2 page ad $50, full page $100. Bring your ad receipt to the box office and get a $10 discount on the purchase of 4 or more tickets.

 

For more information, contact Vicki Markham, Advertising Chairperson, 785-448-4644

2008/2009 Membership

 

 

Benefactor

Thelma Moore, Honorary Benefactor

Anderson County Review, Barb & Dane Hicks

Jim & June Cooper

Speed & Jan Elsasser

Tom Emerson, Jr.

Carol Foltz, Anderson County Abstract

Lyle & Treva Hunt

Steve & Vicki Markham

Reid & Karen Miller

Les & Sally Morse

Gary & Kathy Rommelfanger

B.J. Stewart

Jay & Rita Waltermire

 

Patron

Ken & Nancy Amaya

Steve & Susie Bubna

Fred & Therese Campbell

Vi Davin

Garnett Monument & Glass

Milt & Shirley Greiner

Kevin & Sandy Lewis

Larry & Karen Katzer

Dixie Mader

Dena McDaniel

Doug & Rose Marie Miller

Tarry & Linda Miller

Mark & Carmen Powls

Dennis & Shanna Richards

John & Denise Scheibmeir

Terry & Becky Solander

Gary & Kim Stapp

David & Ruth Theis

Carla Walter

David & Brenda Vestal

Jill Zimmerman

 

Individual

Elizabeth Abraham

Donna Benjamin

Tony Blaufuss

April Buckman

John Covault

Mike & Sally Crane

Joyce Debrick

Donna Dieker

Glenda Elliott

Marilyn Foltz

Jackie Fursman

Mary Graham

Linda K. Grosskreutz

John Hancock

Cheryl Harris

Paulabeth Henderson

Andrea Hermreck

Charlotte Lutz

Andrew McDonald

Beth Mersman

June Mowat

Barbara Neal

Ken Needs

Helen Norman

James E. North

Laura Oshel

Alvin Peters

Wilma Powls

Ruth Pracht

Donna Roberts

Leonard & Rosalie Rommelfanger

Terry & Caren Rugg

Allison Russell

Marguerite Ryman

Evelyn Spencer

Lucille Spencer

Amanda Sumners

Wanda Taylor

LeRoy & Zella Teter

Peggy Tholen

Stephen Thomas

Krystal Stahl

Linda Umbarger

Jay & Barb Velvick

Deanna Wolken

 

* Membership roster last updated on

May 6, 2009.