Evergreen Players

Background Statement

The Evergreen Players is entering its 75th Season! It's a milestone that very few non-profits meet, especially community theaters. In this 7th decade we are growing our community outreach and continuing to bring not only amazing theater to the community, but simultaneously celebrating the unmeasured support this community brings to the Evergreen Players by participating in downtown Evergreen activities such as the annual downtown rodeo parade, Dam Ducky Derby and back to school nights.

Evergreen Players (EP) began in 1950 as a group of friends gathering in each others' homes to read plays aloud. The group had a passion for live theater, which was then inaccessible in the mountain communities. By 1953, EP performed four plays a year in various venues throughout Evergreen. The group was committed to producing live theater in Evergreen. In 1968, they founded The Little Log Theater. As theater needs expanded, EP established a performing home at CenterStage in Evergreen, a theater they now share with Ovation West and the Evergreen Children's Chorale. A volunteer board of directors governs the organization. Part-time contract staff includes house and volunteer managers, a production manager, public relations/marketing manager, executive director, and a drama camp director.

Every year, EP works with skilled amateur actors and directors, and a cadre of volunteers from all ages and walks of life. For all participants there are few other opportunities that offer such a concentrated blend of learning and performing in a single setting.

Each summer our drama camp provides the opportunity for 130 youth, ages 5-18, to attend workshops, help create and perform original plays, and participate in improvisational theater shows. Since 2000, over 2,800 children have attended, gaining confidence while learning leadership and teamwork skills. Evergreen Players has added new audiences through productions such as Evergreen Players' Improvisational Comedy (EPiC), a world premiere of "Psalm of Purgation" by Colorado Playwright Scott Gibson, Monty Python's "Spamalot," "The Old Man and the Old Moon," "Rock of Ages," and special preview performances for community organizations such as the Evergreen Chamber and Downtown Evergreen Business Association.

Evergreen Players has garnered a number of awards, including the following: • In March 2019, John Davis was elected as a Fellow to the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). This is quite an honor, with only a handful of theater professionals chosen every other year. "AACT Fellow" is bestowed for life upon members of AACT who, over a period of years, have made significant contributions to the idea and ideal of community theater. • In March 2018, Kathleen Davis, a long-time board member, received an outstanding volunteer award from the American Association of Community Theatre celebrating her 51 years of committed service to Evergreen Players. • Evergreen Players was nominated for 2015 Nonprofit of the Year by the Evergreen Chamber. • The cast of our 2015 summer production of "Forbidden Broadway" was nominated for Best Small Ensemble by BroadwayWorld.com. • "Apartment 3A" (March 2014) was selected to move on to the Colorado Theater Festival's regional competition.