How we came to be...

It was 1918, in the middle of World War I, when a large group of local actors/singers/dancers, produced a show for the benefit of the Red Cross. With many of Antrim's finest serving in the trenches abroad and on the ships at sea, there was no problem getting together a talented cast to do their bit for the war effort, nor with filling the Town Hall with an enthusiastic audience. This was the birth of the Antrim Players.

This became the pattern of the Antrim Players: get all the talent together and put on a show or a play for the benefit of a local organization. Some of you may remember Dot Proctor, who was too young to be in the original show in 1918, but was inspired by it, and soon became a leading actress and then director, ending her Players career with the production of "Mr. Roberts" in 1971.

Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised by the Antrim Players over the last 85 years for groups such as the American Legion, the Woman's Club, and of course, school projects. Every so often a revival is needed, and local boy Don Madden provided one in 1951 when he wrote "Married Widows". This comedy-farce provided a renewed community interest in the Players when it was needed, and the play had several reprises during the '50s and '60s. Nellie Thornton (Nellie Mudge) was in the original cast. {Nellie was also in the first show produced in 1918. She was 19 then and played one of the Red Cross nurses. She followed this debut with appearances in plays in the '20s and '30s, often playing the ingénue when she was really a dedicated wife and mother. Nellie died recently (2002), at the age of 104}

With the extra revenue generated by this popular play an improvement fund was established, with part of all proceeds going toward the improvement of the Town Hall auditorium. Seats, window dressings, stage curtains, ceiling fans - not to mention pressure put on at Town Meeting for major improvements. It's safe to say that the recent renovation of the whole Town Hall might never have happened without the loyal support of citizens who have become dedicated to the activities of the Antrim Players.

Taken from a speech written by Isabel B. Nichols, for the Antrim Players 2002 winter production of "Real New England Christmas".  Isabel Nichols passed away at her home on November 19, 2005 at the age of 82.