The Potomac Playmakers, Inc. is a
community-based non-profit organization and in the truest sense
of "community" we are an inclusive and
welcoming group of people from all age groups and walks of
life. For many local families our group has presented an
opportunity for several generations to share the stage. The
productions are an all-volunteer effort, from costuming, set
design and construction to lights and sound. Auditions and
participation are open to anyone who shares our love of live
performing arts.
We are proudly one of the nation's
oldest community theater groups. We were organized in 1926 in
Hagerstown, MD when the Women's Club Dramatic Department opened
participation in their plays to the community at large. With
the exception of a few seasons during WWII the Playmakers were
continuously onstage at the historic Women's Club building on
South Prospect Street from 1926 until 2006.
Our 81st season, 2006 - 2007, presented us
with the opportunity to realize a long-held dream when we were
invited to become the resident theater company at a new venue
to be built in downtown Hagerstown. When a fire at the Women's
Club in October 2006 forced us to abruptly relocate our entire
season, we were humbled and gratified by the incredible support
of our patrons, members and community leaders. They offered
places to rehearse and perform as well as generous material and
monetary support, without which the future of our group would
have been in serious jeopardy. It is a testament to the
dedication of our volunteers, audiences and supporters that our
group was able to survive the incredible challenges during
those two years while construction delays forced us to find
alternate rehearsal and performance spaces as well as to, many
times, make last-minute schedule changes.
Our 82nd Season, 2007 - 2008 opened in
January 2008 at Williamsport High School as we anxiously
awaited the delayed completion of the downtown theater. We
returned to our original home, The Women's Club, for two
productions and our May 2008 presentation of The Philadelphia
Story earned its place in our history when it became the last
Playmakers show to grace that stage.
In October 2008 we officially signed the
lease and moved into our new home - The Academy Theater at 58
East Washington Street, Hagerstown MD. In typical Playmakers
style we hit the ground running, with rehearsals beginning
immediately and with an eye toward opening the season with our
musical Something's Afoot in January 2009.
As we begin this new chapter we offer this
promise: to at all times respect our past and the standards by
which our group has been measured for over eighty years. We are
bringing to our beautiful new home the tradition of presenting
live theater productions which all can enjoy. And we thank each
and every one who has supported us in the past as well as for
the continued support and interest in our future.
