MISSION: Of Community, For Community
Players by the Sea is an artist-driven community theatre, committed to serving the First Coast with productions of outstanding quality. Our work celebrates Beaches’ values of innovation and inclusion, through premieres of local playwrights and reinvigoration of the classics. Our life-long learning and volunteer programs provide creative opportunities for the artists of today and tomorrow.
Players by the Sea was founded in 1966 by three energetic, creative beaches couples who shared a love of theatre. The uninterrupted forty-five year history of Players by the Sea, much of it in borrowed or rented performance spaces, testifies to the enthusiastic loyalty of its beaches audiences and to the ingenuity and passion of volunteers drawn from all over the Jacksonville area.
During its first thirty years, Players by the Sea flourished and grew solely on box office receipts as an all-volunteer community theatre. The purchase of its first permanent home in 1999 led to ambitious growth in the number and quality of productions, with greatly expanded technical capabilities and the addition of a studio performance space. The financial obligations of a mortgage and increased operating expenses caused us to adopt new accounting and fund-raising strategies in order to maintain fiscal stability.
The increased functions and responsibilities of running the theatre led the Board of Directors to hire the Theatre’s first Executive Director in 2001. Under the leadership of Joseph Schwarz, a professional Education Director, Production Manager and Administrative Assistant have been added to the staff.
Players by the Sea has grown larger and more inclusive in its operations, education programs, membership and volunteer base, but it has not lost sight of the spirit in which it was founded—the passion of individuals for creating satisfying theatre experiences to share with audiences.
1966 – 1967
1968
1971
1972
1999
2001
2002
2003 - 2004
2005 - 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Players by the Sea is an artist-driven community theatre, committed to serving the First Coast with productions of outstanding quality. Our work celebrates Beaches’ values of innovation and inclusion, through premieres of local playwrights and reinvigoration of the classics. Our life-long learning and volunteer programs provide creative opportunities for the artists of today and tomorrow.
HISTORY: For the Love of Theatre
Players by the Sea was founded in 1966 by three energetic, creative beaches couples who shared a love of theatre. The uninterrupted forty-five year history of Players by the Sea, much of it in borrowed or rented performance spaces, testifies to the enthusiastic loyalty of its beaches audiences and to the ingenuity and passion of volunteers drawn from all over the Jacksonville area.
During its first thirty years, Players by the Sea flourished and grew solely on box office receipts as an all-volunteer community theatre. The purchase of its first permanent home in 1999 led to ambitious growth in the number and quality of productions, with greatly expanded technical capabilities and the addition of a studio performance space. The financial obligations of a mortgage and increased operating expenses caused us to adopt new accounting and fund-raising strategies in order to maintain fiscal stability.
The increased functions and responsibilities of running the theatre led the Board of Directors to hire the Theatre’s first Executive Director in 2001. Under the leadership of Joseph Schwarz, a professional Education Director, Production Manager and Administrative Assistant have been added to the staff.
Players by the Sea has grown larger and more inclusive in its operations, education programs, membership and volunteer base, but it has not lost sight of the spirit in which it was founded—the passion of individuals for creating satisfying theatre experiences to share with audiences.
TIMELINE: To Make a Long Story Short
1966
- Players by the Sea founded in October by Ellie & Sammy Sampson, Deborah & John Lucas, and Tibi & John Thorne. Our first production was George by J. Thorne.
1966 – 1967
- First season line-up: George, Dark Lady of the Sonnets, A Marriage Proposal, The Ugly Duckling, The Miracle Worker, and Jezebel’s Husband.
1968
- The Lark became our first production of more than two nights’ duration.
1971
- Incorporated by the State of Florida.
1972
- First production in our theatre located at the corner of 1st Street and 4th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach.
1999
- Acquired new location at 106 Sixth Street South, Jacksonville Beach in November.
2001
- Received Cultural Council Cultural Services Grant for first time.
2002
- Hired first Executive Director, Joseph Schwarz.
- Voted Best Community Theatre by Jacksonville Magazine.
- Joe Schwarz voted Best Community Theatre Hire by the Florida Times-Union.
- Studio Theatre built.
2003 - 2004
- Renovation of office space and restrooms.
- Hired Marketing and Technical directors.
2005 - 2006
- Celebrated 40th season.
- Expanded our season by producing 10 shows, six main stage productions and four productions in the Studio Theatre.
2007
- Bat Boy, Cabaret & Griot: He Who Speaks the Sweet Word shatter box office records and set a new standard for Community Theatre in Jacksonville.
2008
- Voted best Community Theatre in Jacksonville by Folio Magazine.
- Produced Sweeney Todd, our most challenging production to date, to sold-out houses.
2009
- Voted best Community Theatre in Jacksonville by Folio Magazine 2nd year in a row.
- Partnered with The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, producing plays that complement the Museum’s exhibits.
- Partnered with NS Mayport and conducted a summer drama camp for Navy children on Base.
2010
- The Grune Family Gallery renovated thanks to the generosity of George and BettyLu Grune.
- Backstage & dressing rooms renovated thanks to a generous donation from Doug and Gail Worth.
- Partnered with Brunet-Garcia Advertising Agency to re-brand our logo and media