Pawling Theatre Company

Past...The Foundation for Pawling theatre Company was put in place in the 1970's. The Pawling Recreation Department then sponsored, as it does today, a Children's Sumemr Theatre for Yourth. Coincidentally, in the early 1980's, a group of talented adults in the area participated in a series of musical variety shows called "Away We Go",. The goal was to earn funds for the newly created (1976) Pawling Community Resource and Service Center. As time went on, these young players were graduating from college, and many were returning to the Pawling area. Also the "Away We Go", adults had gotten a taste of returning the "boards", and wanted to continue.

Three Recreation Directors in the area (Betsy Brockway, Pawling, Pat Martens, Beekman, Carol-Lee Kantor, Patterson) realized both of these conditions and came up with the concept of a theater workshop. It became a part of the Community Leisure Education Program using the Pawling High School facilities. The group's first production in 1983 was Thornton Wilder's "Our Town", and to further enhance the flavor of Pawling, some of the lines were changed to reflect local landmarks. Following "Our Town", an informal group formed to help plan and produce further productions. After a number of years as part of the Community Leisure Education Program, the group formally became Pawling Community Theatre, and gained financial independence under the umbrella of Pawling Recreation Department. In 1995, the group altered it's structure to reflect changing needs, and emerged as Pawling Theatre Company. Many original members are still involved, and at least one new generation has returned to the group.

Present...Pawling Theatre company has presented over 40 live productions since 1983. The three to four annual offerings usually include a main stage musical, a comedy or mystery, and avery possibly a drama and/or youthful revue. The majority of the shows are staged at Pawling High School. On may occasions, the group has lent its talents to other community organizations and events: Miss Liberty (America's Bicentennial, 1976), Murder at the Inn (Holiday Hill YMCA Event, 1992), A Valentine's Cabaret (Village of Pawling Bicentennial, 1993), A Benefit Performance of Our Town with James Earl Jones (for the Village of Pawling Master Plan & Zoning Fund, 1993) and most recently, Tony'N Tina's Wedding (1998) as a fund raiser. In addition, since 1997, the Company has supported two youth groups - the teenaged B' Sharps and their younger counterpart The PreSharps - in their musical/dance revues which entertain for community organizations, nursing homes, libraries, and area events. Our on-stage, off-stage, and audience members currently come from beyond Pawling and Holmes. They reside in such nearby communities as Danbury, New Milford, Sherman and New Fairfield, CT: Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Dover Plains, Wingdale, Poughkeepsie, Lagrangeville, Millbrook, and many other towns in the Counties of Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess. The Company has a very active Board of Directors with ten dedicated members. The Board members not only facilitate the actual productions (with 'manpower'), but have secured grant monies from the Dutchess County Arts Council every year since 1997. They have also identified numerous Corporate Sponsors and Seasonal Advertisers whose financial support permits the group to reach out to a much wider audience. So many other individuals in the community have supported the groups endeavors, it is impossible to name them all.

Future...Pawling Theatre Company recognizes that live theatre offers an avenue of lifelong personal growth for the people in a community. With performances year round, there is always something in production or about to audition. We will be continuing to work towards the fulfillment of our dream: a theatre of our own. Any and all donations - of time, money, clothing usable for costumes, even suggestions- are always welcome at the Pawling Theatre company. We'd like to invite you to join us in whatever capacity you'd like.

The organization is proud of it's mission to enrich the cultural fabric of the community. Please feel free to join as actor, production personnel, advertiser, or audience member.