We are almost there…
Back at the first of the year, we held an informational meeting with just a handful of people present. We wanted to see what the interest was in re-booting the community theatre in Arkansas City. The next month, we did the same, and we had more people show interest and support. By March we knew that restarting the community theatre was very well supported and that there were a group of people wanting to see the dream of live theatre at the Burford Theatre a reality. And the Burford staff and Ark City Arts Council has been incredibly supportive of our endeavors. (We can’t thank them enough!)
Here we are 8 months later, and we are mounting our first full-scale production, which opens in two days. It has not been without some bumps and mountains to climb along the way. But we are determined and committed to bring more excellent live theatre to South Central Kansas and Northern Oklahoma.
AVP is now incorporated. We have our 501(c)3 application processing. We have a small, but mighty group of passionate volunteers working together for the common good… and our mission is clear: Ark Valley Players (AVP) has the desire to inspire, nurture, challenge, amaze, educate, and empower artists and audiences, in order to enrich the cultural life of Arkansas City and the South Central Kansas and Northern Oklahoma area. We are providing area residents the opportunity to attend AND participate in quality theatrical productions of a cross-section of the finest theatrical works available.
Our vision is full of promise and excitement as we move into “Leading Ladies” and beyond.
Ark Valley Players has a vision to be the best community theatre we can be. Our Vision for the future includes:
- The production of high quality theatrical experiences that delight and challenge our audiences, volunteers and the community
- An effective engagement of volunteers, who AVP believes are the heart of our work and the key to our success
- An environment in which a community of volunteers of all ages and skill level can continuously develop skills, support and mentor each other, and remain fulfilled with their theatrical experiences
- A comfortable, accessible, safe facility in which to work that will help advance our creativity and production
- Providing educational opportunities that nurture creative theatrical talents and its essential contribution to our quality of life
- Recognizing and appreciating the theatre as a vital part of the fabric of our community
- A reputation that is respected locally, regionally, and nationally for theatrical quality
- A compassionately committed and effective Board of Directors with vision and a can-do attitude
- Financial stability and sustainability that is achieved through patronage, donations, endowment and fiscal responsibility
AVP’s arms are open wide. We want to bring our own flavor to Cowley County and help enrich the, already, amazing theatre in our area. We would love to have more people join us as we move forward and start to plan what comes next.
Ark Valley Players is beyond excited to share “Leading Ladies” with the community! Countless hours of time have been put into this lovely, and hilarious, play. Won’t you please join us this weekend? We still have tickets available for all three performances, however, our dinner theatre option has now sold out. (That’s pretty incredible!)
To purchase tickets, you can either call our box office at Schmidt Jewelers at 620-442-3045 (or stop in to see Blanche,) or you can just click here Box Office
We’ll see you this weekend!
-M