All About Us

Players by-the-Sea was founded in October 1966. The original founders were Ellie and Sammy Sampson, Deborah and Jon Lucas, and Tibi and John Thorne. Following several meetings of the founders, Ellie chaired an organizational meeting in the Jacksonville Beach Community Center, attended by approximately 25 residents.

The first season began December 3, 1966. John Thorne directed George at the Community Center. Phillip Meunier directed Dark Lady of the Sonnets (a reading). Deborah Lucas directed A Marriage Proposal, performed at the Ponte Vedra Club, Beauclair Country Club, The University Women's Club, and as a television production at the University of South Florida.

The 1967-68 seasons continued to be produced at various locations throughout the Beaches. For the first ARTS in May 1967 at the Jacksonville Beach Auditorium, Phillip Meunier and Deborah Lucas directed Jezebel's Husband.

The first production of more than one or two nights' duration was The Lark, directed by Richard Featheringill, which performed March 9-13, 1968 at the Community Center. For the second ARTS in May, PBTS produced My Heart's in the Highlands, directed by Deborah Lucas, at the Community Center.

Over the course of five years, Deborah produced and directed Amahl and the Nigh Visitors at various locations raising proceeds to establish a building fund. PBTS moved into its first permanent playhouse, the Jacksonville Beach Movie Theatre, in 1972. PBTS was also incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in that year. Membership and community interest grew. Many hours of volunteer service, talent and materials fromteh entire community converted the old movie theatre into one of the largest stages in Northeast Florida.

Tragedy struck three years later when Players' theatre burned to the ground, consuming with it many priceless historical documents and memories of the group. Not to be dissolved by such an event, PBTS continued. It continued to stage productions in such locations as a roller rink and dime store. In 1999, Players converted the Beaches Laundry at 106 Sixth Street North in Jacksonville Beach into its new theatre and current home.