ABOUT US
Town And Country Players is a 501(c)3 non-profit community theater providing the Central Bucks area of Bucks County, Pennsylvania with quality theater for the past 75 years. Located on Route 263 in Buckingham Township, we are the home of many dedicated volunteers whose goal is to bring great theater to local residents while personally enjoying the effort.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 323, Doylestown, PA 18901
Visit Town and Country Players
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 323, Doylestown, PA 18901
Visit Town and Country Players
OUR 75 YEAR HISTORY
Music, singing, laughter and applause– these are the sounds that, from Spring through late Fall, reverberate up the hills of Buckingham Mountain and down into the valleys from where a once traditional 18th-century cow barn has been lovingly transformed over the years into an expansive, state-of-the-art, award-winning playhouse. We are Town And Country Players and our storied journey spans 75 years.
THE BARN
Our barn’s roots extend to America’s colonial era. Burgeoning theatricals moved from Europe to North America in the early 1700s. Performances were advertised through printed handbills passed to pedestrians along cobblestone squares and storefronts. Although Town and Country Players did not organize until the 1940s, the stage had already been set for our future home.
In 1767, a new farm with a substantial barn was built at the side of the road in what is now known as Buckingham (first it was known as the village of General Greene Inn, then Vorhees Tavern, Wilkinson’s Tavern and Centreville,) near what is now the intersection of PA Routes 413 and 263. The farm’s barn was south of the roads where stood the headquarters of General Nathaniel Greene who aided General George Washington in the orchestration of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Trenton in the winter of 1776.
Almost two centuries later, a band of 20th-century citizens would stake a claim within walking distance of Greene's headquarters by founding a theater community in Buckingham that would inspire new artistic expression and appreciation of the performing arts for decades to come.
In 1767, a new farm with a substantial barn was built at the side of the road in what is now known as Buckingham (first it was known as the village of General Greene Inn, then Vorhees Tavern, Wilkinson’s Tavern and Centreville,) near what is now the intersection of PA Routes 413 and 263. The farm’s barn was south of the roads where stood the headquarters of General Nathaniel Greene who aided General George Washington in the orchestration of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Trenton in the winter of 1776.
Almost two centuries later, a band of 20th-century citizens would stake a claim within walking distance of Greene's headquarters by founding a theater community in Buckingham that would inspire new artistic expression and appreciation of the performing arts for decades to come.
THE START
Town And Country Players was the brainchild of local residents Florence Weisel, Lenora Dunn, and Jean and Milton Rutherford, a prominent Doylestown business couple. Together, they began the quest of bringing a non-equity playhouse to central Bucks County. Private conversations ignited public interest, and the troupe blossomed from 19 to 40 by the debut of their first production titled "The Late George Apley” and watched by 400 patrons on February 27, 1948 at Doylestown Borough School at Broad and Court Streets (now Central Bucks West High School).
Technical hurdles plagued the theater company for a decade, as the school stage had no wings, low ceilings and immovable walls, making it impossible for actors to enter from the side of the stage. Large productions such as "I Remember Mama," (pictured at the top of this web page) with its cast of 22, provided particular challenges to its director.
In 1953, Town And Country Players pooled actors and volunteers to assist Pearl S. Buck's Welcome House in their production of "The Happy Children," written and directed by Philip Mathias. Our own history was then being built, as international icons such as Oscar Hammerstein II and Pearl S. Buck performed alongside actors from Town And Country Players. When a professional children's theater group scheduled to perform at Philadelphia's Academy of Music cancelled, Town And Country Players stepped in and staged its first children's play of "Pinocchio." This started our family productions tradition, first staged at area schools, firehouses , grange halls and annual arts festivals, that continues today.
By 1957, Town And Country Players was ready to locate to a permanent home. In that year, the founding members rented the barn situated on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Nichols. In 1962, the Nichols offered to sell the barn structure separate from the rest of the farm. We took on the challenge, as well as a mortgage, and annual property tax. A bank loan was needed to replace a pump and well. Thankfully, the increased schedule of productions and children's shows increased revenues, and the Barn (as we now affectionately call it) was born!
Through the years, there has been an ever-present array of skilled laborers and volunteer carpenters, electricians and craftsmen whose time, talents and skills have improved our facility. Actors, musicians and family members have been known to pick-up a paint brush or hammer to beautify the Barn.
The task to upgrade our technical and space needs is on-going, but major improvements by volunteers have included the 1972 installation of ramped seating in the theater, and a catwalk with an overhead lighting booth and a ventilation system. In 1994, the renovation fund committee raised money to improve the Barn's insulation, allowing the team to finally install an air-conditioning system. In 2006, old seats were replaced with red upholstered ones, supplemented by commemorative plaque donations. In 2010-11 improvements included new insulation of the theater and sound booth, installing house lights and a control system, rewiring outlets to new booth services, replacing the house carpet, installing new heating/cooling units in dressing rooms, the installation of backstage monitors and improved utilization of set build and costume areas. In 2014, an extension was built including new bathrooms, rehearsal room and costume storage loft.
Technical hurdles plagued the theater company for a decade, as the school stage had no wings, low ceilings and immovable walls, making it impossible for actors to enter from the side of the stage. Large productions such as "I Remember Mama," (pictured at the top of this web page) with its cast of 22, provided particular challenges to its director.
In 1953, Town And Country Players pooled actors and volunteers to assist Pearl S. Buck's Welcome House in their production of "The Happy Children," written and directed by Philip Mathias. Our own history was then being built, as international icons such as Oscar Hammerstein II and Pearl S. Buck performed alongside actors from Town And Country Players. When a professional children's theater group scheduled to perform at Philadelphia's Academy of Music cancelled, Town And Country Players stepped in and staged its first children's play of "Pinocchio." This started our family productions tradition, first staged at area schools, firehouses , grange halls and annual arts festivals, that continues today.
By 1957, Town And Country Players was ready to locate to a permanent home. In that year, the founding members rented the barn situated on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Willard Nichols. In 1962, the Nichols offered to sell the barn structure separate from the rest of the farm. We took on the challenge, as well as a mortgage, and annual property tax. A bank loan was needed to replace a pump and well. Thankfully, the increased schedule of productions and children's shows increased revenues, and the Barn (as we now affectionately call it) was born!
Through the years, there has been an ever-present array of skilled laborers and volunteer carpenters, electricians and craftsmen whose time, talents and skills have improved our facility. Actors, musicians and family members have been known to pick-up a paint brush or hammer to beautify the Barn.
The task to upgrade our technical and space needs is on-going, but major improvements by volunteers have included the 1972 installation of ramped seating in the theater, and a catwalk with an overhead lighting booth and a ventilation system. In 1994, the renovation fund committee raised money to improve the Barn's insulation, allowing the team to finally install an air-conditioning system. In 2006, old seats were replaced with red upholstered ones, supplemented by commemorative plaque donations. In 2010-11 improvements included new insulation of the theater and sound booth, installing house lights and a control system, rewiring outlets to new booth services, replacing the house carpet, installing new heating/cooling units in dressing rooms, the installation of backstage monitors and improved utilization of set build and costume areas. In 2014, an extension was built including new bathrooms, rehearsal room and costume storage loft.
TODAY
Think of it! Town And Country Players has transformed into one of the most successful and "audience-friendly" community theaters in the Greater Philadelphia region, “raising the curtain” on shows that rival many on the equity stage. We now boast six to seven professionally-staged productions, with scripts sifted through each year by our Play Selection Committee, then approved by the Board of Directors and ultimately voted on by our members. Selections have included an adult musical, comedy, drama, classic or mystery, a family musical and a family play. Patrons look forward to our traditional appearance in Doylestown’s Memorial Day Parade, to the annual “Holiday Show" concert performed at historic venues and to featured concerts with music and lyrics by famous local composers, such as in 2011 with the works of Bucks County-raised Stephen Sondheim.
Our "One-Act Festival" provides a platform for qualified or incoming directors to produce quality shows.. Performers from all of our shows come from as far south as Philadelphia and as far west as central New Jersey. Our Summer Theater Youth Workshops, no ordinary summer camp, is a stepping stone/hands-on approach for young students to learn about all aspects of theater– from auditions, vocal training, movement and blocking to costuming, sets, lights and sound. Each staff-supervised, week-long workshop session culminates with a performance viewed by family and friends. Students form bonds that last a lifetime and often come back as performers on our main stage shows.
Volunteering at Town And Country Players brings together friends and can also be a generational family affair. For instance, member Lynne Anne Donchez grew up as our resident hair and make-up designer, following in her parents’ footsteps as they performed for several decades on our stage. Her sister Nancy directs and produces and Nancy's daughters Page and Taylor are active. Many families have spent their quality time on the boards or backstage at the Barn. Town and Country Players is home to the generations!
Theater lovers enter into our Club Room for the Box Office, then head upstairs to the main stage entrance where they are greeted by our volunteer ushers hand them a program, and then lead them to their seat. Overhead screens show area businesses who generously sponsor us and show videos of upcoming productions.Music climbs as the lights fade to black as the show begins.
With many seasons of fantastic theater presented to you by Town And Country Players, who knows what new surprises we have in store for you?
The Historic Barn Theater Complex serves as a public, not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 status with a seasoned Board of Directors, many of whom are trained in the performing arts, or are entrepreneurs and executives with major area corporations, schools, for-profit and not-for-profit companies.
Adapted from “Town And Country Players: History At Its Best” by Gina Vitolo-Stevens.
Our "One-Act Festival" provides a platform for qualified or incoming directors to produce quality shows.. Performers from all of our shows come from as far south as Philadelphia and as far west as central New Jersey. Our Summer Theater Youth Workshops, no ordinary summer camp, is a stepping stone/hands-on approach for young students to learn about all aspects of theater– from auditions, vocal training, movement and blocking to costuming, sets, lights and sound. Each staff-supervised, week-long workshop session culminates with a performance viewed by family and friends. Students form bonds that last a lifetime and often come back as performers on our main stage shows.
Volunteering at Town And Country Players brings together friends and can also be a generational family affair. For instance, member Lynne Anne Donchez grew up as our resident hair and make-up designer, following in her parents’ footsteps as they performed for several decades on our stage. Her sister Nancy directs and produces and Nancy's daughters Page and Taylor are active. Many families have spent their quality time on the boards or backstage at the Barn. Town and Country Players is home to the generations!
Theater lovers enter into our Club Room for the Box Office, then head upstairs to the main stage entrance where they are greeted by our volunteer ushers hand them a program, and then lead them to their seat. Overhead screens show area businesses who generously sponsor us and show videos of upcoming productions.Music climbs as the lights fade to black as the show begins.
With many seasons of fantastic theater presented to you by Town And Country Players, who knows what new surprises we have in store for you?
The Historic Barn Theater Complex serves as a public, not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 status with a seasoned Board of Directors, many of whom are trained in the performing arts, or are entrepreneurs and executives with major area corporations, schools, for-profit and not-for-profit companies.
Adapted from “Town And Country Players: History At Its Best” by Gina Vitolo-Stevens.
