The Players raise funds for the Doris Wallace Fund and the Near West Theater. Named in honor of past Players president and musical director Doris Wallace, this fund awards scholarships to Mayfield High School seniors demonstrating potential and interest in pursuing the theatrical arts in college. The Near West Theater instills positive social values and skills within Cleveland youth while offering the community enjoyable stage performances.
The objective of The Gates Mills Players, which was founded shortly after World War II, is to have a venue for theater enthusiasts who produce semi-annual productions, raise funds for philanthropic causes and participate in community events and festivities-all with an emphasis on fun!
A Brief History of the Players
It all began in 1948 when Margaret Smith and a small group of Villagers produced "It's In The Bag or How Ripe Is The Corn In Our Valley?" They gave this on a temporary stage setup in the Firehouse and started the enthusiasm that has developed into a membership of over one hundered interested Players, producing one or two big Broadway plays a year and departing into such venues as a Village Fair, the Spirit of '76 in the Fourth of July Parade and Santa Claus for little Villagers on Christmas Eve.
