History:

Avon Players is a nonprofit community theater group located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, Michigan, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester.

The group was founded in 1947 by enthusiasts who loved the thrill and energy of live performances. Many of the original members had earlier been part of a church theatre group who wanted to share their theatrical enjoyment with the entire community.

Avon Players owns its own playhouse, a unique multiple A-frame design, built in 1965. The governing body for the group consists of a nine member Executive Board, elected by active members at an annual meeting.

The roster of Avon Players' season ticket holders, financial supporters, advertisers, members, and performers indicates that we continue to draw theater lovers from not only the Greater Rochester area, but also from all of Southeastern Michigan.

During a typical season, the troupe's multi-talented volunteers bring to the stage five full-scale productions. And full scale means just that... a computerized lighting system, sound effects equipment, costumes, live orchestra, completely constructed sets, and scenic backdrops painted by local talented artists. We will also engineer any special effects a show requires.

Our seasons have included award-winning dramas, British farces, Broadway musicals, and spine-tingling mysteries. We have talented performers who can sometimes be hard to distinguish from professionals, and some have in fact gone on to appear in national touring companies!

With our ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theatres… plus free parking and concessions on a donation basis… a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a "downtown" venue.

We continually look for ways to improve both our building and our production capabilities. In the past decade, we dedicated space to a new costume room, and we have recently refurbished our green room. We also installed a new sound system, automatic gel-changing lights, and new spotlights. But what hasn't changed is our closeness with our public. In our beautiful lobby, built in 1996, the cast, crew, and audience have a chance to mingle and celebrate after each performance. That's a spirit that any type of professional entertainment just can't match!