Press Releases

35th anniversary of Star Players promises something special

Posted July 2012

The Star Players, Inc. will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.   Ralph Young was elected its first president in 1977.  Even though the leadership has changed in the last three decades, the Star Players have continued to entertain the community with many wonderful productions.   After 10 years, The Star Players will again be staging the popular Broadway hit Titanic, The Musical on July 27-29 and August 3-5 with some of its original cast members.  Theater-goers will be able to reserve tickets beginning July 13 by calling 419-294-1411.  Tickets for members are $8 and non-members $10.

Two popular children’s programs continue to grow since the Star Players were formed.  Ruth Bacon started Star Kids in 1982.   Recently, under the direction of Lori Lavery, Star Kids staged the music review “The Gingerbread Girl” and “The Wizard of Oz.”  In 2010, Betsy Gerhart started the Alley Cats, a Teen Workshop.  This summer the Alley Cats, under the direction of Lauren Miller   and Reid Barth, presented “How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying.”

The theater, itself, has seen many changes over the years.  Darl Gerber oversaw the remodeling of the basement costume rooms and the replacement of the old seats. Later, the Star Players were able to purchase the theater from Jeff and Joy Roth with the help of a donation from Katherine Artz.   More recent improvements were the addition of an improved thrust stage, the replacement of the roof and the addition of stairs to the light booth.  In 2008, the board was able to purchase the original theater entrance off Wyandot Avenue with hopes of restoring it to its original look.

During the first ten years, Jim Schoenberger did most of the tech work for the theater. He actually built the first dimmer board and many of the lights himself. In 1992, the Star Players purchased a new 18 channel light board.   Gary McCreary, present Star Board president, is now in charge of the lights for most of the shows.  Other board members include Aaron Korte, Jan Below, Ron Boose, Jim Ruhlen, Kip Barth, Mark Murphy, Wayne Rowe and Andy Voorheis.

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