A History of Village Players of Ft. Thomas
In 1966, a group of the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club met to form a community theatre known as
“The Village Players of Fort Thomas.” They, their families, and others renovated and rebuilt the theatre in the lower level of the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club. It is located at 8 North Fort Thomas Avenue, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. The original seats were obtained from a renovated bowling alley.
The first season opened with a production of “The Solid Gold Cadillac,” in May, 1967. The production was well received by the community.
As a chapter of the Woman’s Club, Village Players (VP) grants automatic membership in the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club – women with full membership and men with associate membership (no voting privileges). Junior members of VP do not pay dues.
The VP season runs June 1st through May 31st of the following year. In its second season (1967–1968), VP presented three productions – one each in November, February, and May. VP also became an active member of the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati (ACT) and the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA), excerpting a scene from “Guest in the House.” Later the group also became a member of the Kentucky Theatre Association (KTA).
In 1979, a new addition was built at the rear of the theatre, known as “Bustles & Boards.” It was a storage and workshop area for set construction and costume storage. This provided additional room in the lobby. In 1980, the lobby and restrooms were renovated. In 1981, the dressing room was renovated and a new computerized lighting panel was installed.
When the Palace Theatre in Cincinnati was scheduled for demolition in 1983, VP was given permission to retrieve the seats from the upper balcony. A hearty crew of volunteers rose to the task of disassembling the seats, hauling them down three flights of steps, transporting, reassembling, and installing them at the VP theatre.
In 1985, air conditioning was installed in the theatre, thereby permitting the group to present year-round productions. In 1986, the playing area was enlarged by 4 feet. That season opened with VP’s first musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
During the 1990-1991 season, a children’s production, “My Friend the Fox,” was added. It proved to be highly successful, with sold-out houses, and VP has mounted a children’s show every year since.
In 1995, a second-floor addition was completed about the “Bustles & Boards.” The first floor space was now available exclusively as a workshop for set construction, leaving the second floor addition for costume, prop, and décor storage.
In 1999, the theatre, lobby, and dressing room were renovated. New seats were installed in the theatre. A state-of-the-art computerized lighting system was installed. A modern sound system was added. Handicapped access to the theatre was added. In 2008, a complete rewiring of the stage lighting system was accomplished.
Currently the facility consists of the main theatre with tiered seating for 102; a thrust stage; lighting and sound rooms; lobby; ticket booth; dressing room; check room; refreshment counter; restrooms; workshop; and costume/prop storage room.
The proceeds from the spring shows were originally donated to “Camp Sunshine,” a camp for underprivileged children of Campbell County. By 2003, over $95,000 had been contributed to this charity. After “Camp Sunshine” closed, the group continued its tradition of giving, choosing a new charity by membership nomination and vote every year. In addition, VP has provided up to two scholarships per year to high school seniors majoring in the arts.
VP has received numerous awards from ACT, OCTA, and KTA over the years, competing at the regional and state festivals of OCTA and KTA. A number of Village Players members have been honored with the “Art Rouse, Mario Pitocco, and Roger Grooms Awards” given by ACT, and “Spirit of Community Theatre Awards” given by OCTA.
Village Players celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2015-2016 season, remaining dedicated to producing first-class theatrical productions at a fair price.
When the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club announced in 2018 that they would be disbanding the club, VP got busy and filed all the necessary paperwork to receive the proper legal documents in order to become their own, self-supporting, tax-exempt entity. The Woman’s Club then turned over the deed to the building to VP in October, 2018. VP immediately began working on a Capital Campaign to make the building a fully-operating arts building within the Fort Thomas community, with more accessibility for all patrons to all areas of the building.
In 2020, the main room on the street level was renovated into a beautiful gallery, named in honor of Judith M. Sarakatsannis. It can be used for art shows, receptions, meetings, and much more.
Village Players of Ft. Thomas Venue Information
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Venue Address: 8 North Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
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Venue Owned: Owned
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Stage Dimensions: 21.5 x 12 ft (to proscenium); 21.5 x 16 to back wall
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Set Construction: On Site
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Wing Space: Minimum
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Fly System: No
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Load In: No
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Time Onstage Before Opening: 8 weeks
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Lighting Equipment: Cognito light board
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Lighting Equipment Owned: Owned
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Lighting Control: Board
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Available Dim Channels: 48
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Sound Equipment: Optimus SSM-1750 4 Channel Stereo Audio Mixer
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Sound Equipment Owned: Owned
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Sound Restrictions: Mostly used for music and sound effects, mics are not used often as it is an intimate space
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Other Restrictions: Parking in the back for people with limited mobility
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Website: http://villageplayers.org
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Year Founded: 1967
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Full Time Staff: No