- Cliff Bemis
- Board Member
The Workshop Players Story
75 Years In The Making
Workshop Players, Inc. is a volunteer community theatre that is dedicated to the production of excellent theatrical and educational entertainment. As a non-profit 501(c)3 group, Workshop Players, Inc. is the oldest theatre-in-the-round in Northeast Ohio, and serves the communities of Lorain County and the surrounding area in the field of drama and its related arts.
Performing in a former one room schoolhouse, we have produced a broad range of shows ranging from intimate one and two character plays, to 40 actor extravaganzas. We have produced dramas, comedies, mysteries, classics, children’s productions, new works by local authors, and musicals – large and small, entertaining folks of all ages for over 75 years.
OUR HISTORY: Once upon a time, a graduating senior from Clearview High School named Duane Hinds gathered some of his theatre friends together and approached their drama director Valerie Jenkins about forming a theatre group outside of school to present plays.
In 1948 they performed in the basements of churches and private homes. By 1949 they took over the Amherst Grange Hall and called themselves County Workshop Players. In 1952 Fred R Powers made available a one room schoolhouse on Middle Ridge Rd that had just closed. That is the building the theatre still performs plays in today.
Founding Members
Frances (Gluvna) Michaelson, Alvira (Grell) Korcuska, Duane Hinds, Mary (Hoch) Rebman, Steve Hodovan, Robert Lenhard, Sam Marotta, James Mason, Rosemary Montagnese, Hazelle Perkins, Waite Staller, Nola Jean (Waters) Hodkey, Dorothy (Yudovich) Zima, Drama Director: Valerie Jenkins Gertzenberger
Meet Our Board of Trustees
Meet our board of trustees - a dedicated group of community leaders passionate about theatre and committed to fostering excellence in theatrical and educational entertainment at Workshop Players, Northeast Ohio's oldest theatre-in-the-round. The board wishes to extend a special thanks our longtime Publicity Director, Kathy Whitmore.
- Daniel J. Bilewitz III
- Costume Coordinator
- Dave Stacko
- Board President
- Desmond Ragland
- Lighting Assistant
- June Lang
- Treasurer
- Kristina Rivera
- Social Chair
- Pat Price
- Play Reading Chair
- Rachel Suhy
- Secretary
- Valerie Farschman
- Advertising Chair
Our First 50 Years - Volume 1 (1948-1977)
You can browse this document like you would a real book by clicking and dragging the corners of the pages, or simply click the arrows at the left and right of the book. Click the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar at the bottom to zoom in and click-and-drag the page to move it around. Once you've clicked on the book, you can also use the left/right arrows on your keyboard to tuen the pages.
Our First 50 Years - Volume 2 (1978-1998)
You can browse this document like you would a real book by clicking and dragging the corners of the pages, or simply click the arrows at the left and right of the book. Click the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar at the bottom to zoom in and click-and-drag the page to move it around. Once you've clicked on the book, you can also use the left/right arrows on your keyboard to tuen the pages.
Celebrate our 75th Season with a Season Pass
Purchase a Season Pass today to enjoy all 5 amazing shows this 2023-2024 season.
Timeline of Key Events at Workshop Players theatre
Explore the rich history of Workshop Players theatre through our captivating timeline of key events. From its humble beginnings in a former one-room schoolhouse to becoming a thriving volunteer community theatre, this timeline showcases over 75 years of remarkable productions, artistic milestones, and cherished memories that have shaped Workshop Players into the vibrant institution it is today.
August 19, 1947
- Duane Hinds approached Valerie Jenkins about creating a community theatre
- August 19, 1947: 1 night performance in Clearview High School auditorium
- Gerald Marans of Cleveland’s Karamu Theatre acted as advisor
December 1948
- The Small One is performed in the basement of Congregational Church
- The show toured 11 times to other churches & private homes
- Called the group County Workshop Players so people would know it wasn’t a Clearview or Amherst group
February 1, 1949
- Smilin’ Through performed in Grange Hall (Amherst Historical Society’s one room schoolhouse). This space is used for the next 3 years
- Dr. Roy Schaeffer (dentist) allowed his Receptionist Millie Sabiers and hygienist Barbara Snyder to handle ticket sales
- 4 spotlight & a transformer for dimming
- Casts were crews
- In 4 years: 10 plays performed
1952
- Fred R Powers, Superintendent of Amherst Village Schools made Middle Ridge One Room Schoolhouse available at $100/year
- One heat register - in the middle of the acting area
- Club night started
- Rehearsal & Storage space above The Party Shop
- 1 play in fall, winter, and spring. Summer used for improvements
- More lights installed
- Coal furnace converted to oil
1953
- Dr. Roy Schaeffer bought 100 green seats from closed Lakewood movie theatre for $2/ each
- Bill Penton led men to build raised platforms, painted the walls green
- Dick Beal improved the basement: the dark/damp coal bin was converted to a kitchen, mirrors & a shelf for makeup added
- Theatre joined OCTA
1954
- Register in middle of acting area replaced with a trap door
- Walls heating duct above window line
- Wooden back of seats covered w/yellow slip covers due to splintering
- Curtain hung covering large blackboard
- House lights installed around perimeter
- Windows covered w/cardboard to help with drafts. Then finally boarded up
- Walls and ceiling painted black
- Bill Penton lowered ceiling to make a light booth & costume storage
- Intercom system rigged so performers in the basement could hear their cues
- New hifi system installed
- Batten in stage center added with 30 or more used lights