It’s fortunate that the Batavia Players didn’t shirk from the daunting task of creating a theatre at 56 Harvester Ave. The 110 year-old space had been used to manufacture items such as t-shirts. You wouldn’t recognize that cavernous area now. The black-box theater, with three-quarter round stage, took around 30 volunteers thousands of hours to complete.
Since that time, visitors and locals alike have enjoyed a wide variety of theatrical endeavors. Even though it’s an intimate venue, (the seating capacity is between 100 to 140) the Batavia Players have produced shows that run the gamut from Tennessee Williams, to Shakespeare. If you like mystery, they’ve undertaken works like Agatha Christie’s One Acts and Sherlock Holmes. I’m enamored with musical theater, so I’m thrilled that they have done difficult productions like Cats, Rent and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
I’ve worked with “Players” in the past. (I portrayed Meg Brockie, a flirtatious dairy maid in Brigadoon.) If you’ve never been in a show, you’d be amazed at the “behind the scenes” aspects: costuming, sets, sound, lights, make-up, etc. (I keep hoping they’ll do a behind-the-scene tour.) It takes a great deal of effort to create “a world of make-believe” and the Batavia Players meet the challenge with ease.
Of course the theater now has all kinds of artisans to keep it company. The Harvester building is filling up with craftsmen like Joseph Mendel-Furniture Maker, the talented glass workers at Oatka School of Glass, or the patient instructors at Art Ah La Carte. There are even a couple of places for you to have a unique photo taken: Susan Meier Photography and Studio “S” Photography. And if you’re hungry you can find a bite to eat at the artsy and fun Moon Java Café.
This year’s season looks to be the best yet for Batavia Players. They’re getting ready to do a dinner theater production at Terry Hills on Sunday, April 21st, with musical segments from Mamma Mia, Footloose, Jersey Boys, Wicked and Avenue Q to name a few. If you’d like tickets for “ON BROADWAY – OPENING NIGHT” you may purchase them at www.showtix4u.com or call 585-219-4381.
Whether you attend shows, become a member, help out behind the scenes or act on stage, working with your community theater can be very rewarding. You’ll meet all kinds of people – maybe even me. I’m thinking about trying out for their December show - A Christmas Carol. See you at auditions!
~Dawn
Batavia Players
56 Harvester Avenue
Batavia, NY 14020
www.bataviaplayers.org
