NOW PLAYING in Millbrook

Community theater for fun and friendship

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILLBROOK PLAYERS

Millbrook Players spark laughter, conversation, friendship, cultural education, confidence, discipline and more across the community through the theatrical productions they stage at an old Main Street schoolhouse rented from the City.

“It’s good, clean family friendly entertainment that is unique to Millbrook,” said Susan Chain, president of the community theater organization she and her husband, John, started in 2006.

“John and I have been involved in theater most of our lives. When we moved here, there was no theater, so we started one,” she said.

The group’s first performance was held at a local church. They performed at a variety of venues for their first few years of operation until they were offered the opportunity to use the auditorium space in an old school.

“We use the old classrooms for storing props and costumes. We have a green room and a place where we can sell concessions. We have a construction room for making the sets,” Chain explained.

Every calendar year, the Millbrook Players stage a musical, comedies, dinner theaters and concerts in an auditorium that seats about 125 people. There is always a show in production, which means there is always work to be done.

“We have an acting company that holds open auditions. They take head shots of everybody who auditions. We also have many behind-the-scenes things to do: Props; backstage crew; directors, costumes, makeup and hair,” Chain added. “We have a 12-person board, and they are a very active, hardworking board.”

Each show runs for eight performances over two weekends, and tickets are $12 to $15. Season tickets also are available. In 2023, the season will include Willy Wonka, Mr. Roberts, She Loves Me, Good Old-fashioned Country Christmas, the female version of Odd Couple and a Gospel concert. In addition, the Millbrook Players will offer a one-week theater camp for children.

“Children learn discipline, how to take direction, confidence, team work – and they do a production at the end,” Chain added. “We have bussed school kids in for the plays sometimes.”

Theater also offers a creative outlet and social activities for those who choose to work backstage or in one of the many off-stage areas of service.

“We always need people to work on costumes or do the makeup,” she said.

When one show is finished, there’s always another one right behind it. That makes it difficult for the building to be used by other organizations, though the group allows the concessions room to be used for a few years by a local bingo group. The bingo players had to disband when COVID-19 restrictions were placed on the building.

“But we went right on. We did virtual shows during the pandemic,” Chain said.

“We get great support from the community of Millbrook, and we have always operated at a profit,” Chain said. “We provide a night out – a date night – where people can have some fun entertainment, maybe some wine and appetizers.

“It’s fun for the actors. It gives them a social life, and several have met here and married over the years,” she noted. “This is a good place for family togetherness. It helps the community.

“And we have a Wish List on our website, so if people want to help the theater out, they could go there and see what we need.”

Visit the Millbrook Community Players’ Facebook page to learn about upcoming opportunities and show times. Check out the new season of plays, buy tickets and learn more at millbrooktheater.com.