Flint Community Players
.png){kind=logo} Flint Community Players' Logo,
Designed by Tomoko Miller | |
| Formation | 1929 |
|---|---|
| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Musicals, Plays, Dramas, Comedies |
| Location |
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| Website | www.flintcommunityplayers.com |
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Flint Community Players is a non-profit theatre organization based in Flint, Michigan and founded in 1929.
Founding
Officially founded in 1929, Flint Community Players (FCP) is Genesee County's oldest community theatre.[1].
In 1928 a group of Flint locals began to meet to read and study plays. When the Wright Players (a professional theatre group performing in Flint) disbanded there was a hole left in the Flint performing arts scene. The study group decided to fill this hole by producing amateur productions. They called themselves the Flint Theatre Guild.[2] Led by Bertha Creighton, on June 27th of 1929 the Flint Theatre Guild put on their first production, Meet the Wife, performed at Flint Central High School. After a successful first production the group produced a show a week for the next 5 weeks.[3]
After their first year, R. Stanley Clarke took over the direction of Flint Theatre Guild and moved them to the Industrial Mutual Association Auditorium.[4] The guild took on the name the Industrial Mutual Association Playhouse, after the location they were performing in. This venue was far too large for the group at 6,000 seats. In April of 1930 they moved to facilities provided by the News-Advertiser, a local newspaper.[2] At this time the group held a meeting of the members and elected a board of directors.[3] They became incorporated under the name Flint Playhouse Association. The trustees were E. A. Atwood, Arthur M. Davison, R. Spencer Bishop, E. H. Watson, and Harlow H. Curtice. The papers of incorporation were not renewed the next year, and the group took on another new name, Flint Community Players.[2]
In 1945 Flint Community Players incorporated again with a new constitution.[2]
Venue
Flint Community Players' returned to Flint Central High School in 1933[2] and remained there until 1945 when they moved to Homedale Elementary School. Sets were built elsewhere and moved to the performance venue.[3]
In 1949, after the passing of her husband Fred, Adah Swan donated her house on East Street to FCP. Due to zoning issues, FCP was unable to use the property as a performance space. FCP sold the property and the funds were placed in a trust. Performances again moved to Freeman Elementary School in 1951 because of inadequate space at Homedale.[2]
In 1958 FCP performed their first production at the F.A. Bower Theater.[5] While the Bower gave FCP a performance space, they still did not have space to rehearse, build sets, or store props, costumes, and set pieces. To solve this FCP purchased land on Ballenger Highway to build a workshop. The new workshop was dedicated on December 13, 1959.
In 1991 the Ballenger Highway workshop was expanded. This expansion added a kitchen, laundry room, rehearsal hall, costuming area, offices and a foyer.
In 2012 the Ballenger Highway location was expanded again to add dressing rooms and a performance hall. The new performance hall allowed FCP to be entirely self-contained. On September 13th, 2012, FCP held their first performance in the new hall, Cabaret.[6]
Programs
Flint Community Players has presented over 500 productions since its inception in 1929. Productions are split into Mainstage productions and The Ghost Light series. The Mainstage productions are popular, main-stream shows whereas the Ghost Light Series presents deeper, thought-provoking shows designed to explore the human condition and spark conversations.
In 2023, FCP began hosting "Sensory-Friendly" performances. These performances are designed to create an accessible and comfortable experience for those who have different social or sensory needs. Modifications include lower volume, lights remaining on at a low level, freedom for patrons to talk or leave their seat, designated quiet areas within the theatre, and limited audience sizes. These performances also sometimes include ASL interpretation.
FCP also hosts occasional workshops for people to improve their skills in the dramatic arts. Previous workshops include Stage Combat, Theatre Intimacy, and Set Building.
FCP's youth programming includes occasional youth workshops[7] and the Adventure Theatre summer camp. Adventure Theatre, hosted at For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum, allows children to learn about theatre while exploring nature[8]
Notable People
- Robert K. Adams, Broadway actor and television producer[9][10][11]
- Arthur Beer, University of Detroit Mercy Professor and award-winning playwright[12][13]
- Bertha Creighton, Broadway actress[14]
- Michael J Madach, Hollywood actor and scenic artist[15]
- David Magee, Academy Award nominated screenwriter[citation needed]
- Thot Squad, rapper and voice actor[citation needed]
- Ken Ward, Broadway actor[16]
References
- ↑ Harvey, James (29 January 1982). "The play's the thing, sort of". The Flint Journal.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Blake, Peter Henry (1956). A descriptive study of the Flint Community Players. Thesis (Masters thesis). Retrieved 2025-11-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Flint Community Players 90 Seasons of Love for Theater". April 2019.
- ↑ "Players Have Interesting Local History". Flint Daily Journal. October 30, 1932.
- ↑ "Flint Community Players celebrate 80 years by doing the 'Full Monty'". 11 September 2008.
- ↑ "Expansion sets stage for a new home for the Flint Community Players - Flint Township View". 5 July 2012.
- ↑ "Theatre Workshop for Kids with the Flint Community Players | Flint Public Library".
- ↑ "Spark Adventure Theatre Camp".
- ↑ "Robert K. Adams, 72, a Producer of Television and Theater Shows (Published 1981)". The New York Times. 16 February 1981.
- ↑ "Robert K. Adams (Performer)". Playbill.
- ↑ Wilson, Earl (1954-09-24). "Former Flint Man Now TV 'Packager'".
- ↑ "Arthur Beer at University of Detroit Mercy".
- ↑ Harvey, James (18 April 1982). "Workshop approach natural to director". The Flint Journal.
- ↑ "Bertha Creighton – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".
- ↑ Harvey, James (6 December 1981). "Workshop approach natural to director". The Flint Journal.
- ↑ "Ken Ward".
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