In 2009, Kathy and Ken were looking for a theater company where they could dedicate their time and really be involved. Langhorne Players was the place they chose or maybe Langhorne actually chose them. Ken was asked to direct Darwin in Malibu and Kathy helped out with the show. She loved working with the other volunteers and the LP board members. Devoting time to LP really was a lot of fun. Kathy began taking a lead role in the box office. She still does this today. She secures volunteers to work in the box office and usher for each show. She manages the seating chart for each show and she also answers the Box Office phone. If you ever received a call back to confirm your tickets, you probably talked to Kathy.  

In 2011, Kathy directed End Days, Langhorne Players’ third show of the season. When she read the script, she became passionate about directing it and had a great time doing it. Kathy also worked on the food reception team for the Showin’ Off benefit in the fall of 2011 and helped with the cleanup after the flood(s). This year Kathy served on the director selection committee for the 2012 season, is serving as producer for Apartment 3A, and will also be stage managing Rope later in the season. 

By day, Kathy is the Information Technology Manager for the New Jersey Treasury Department, Division of Property Management. In addition to husband Ken, she has 5 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, and several grandchildren.

It has been ten years since I have started coming here to the Spring Garden Mill, and I can honestly say I would not be doing what I do if it was not for this group.

When I first arrived, I was a novice to the theatre world, a bio geek at heart, who loved the stage. My first show here was dirtyBLONDE, and I remember feeling as I came out of the theatre that there was something special here, and that I had to start volunteering.

It started off small, ushering, helping with set construction, until I was asked to help assistant stage manage one of their shows Anton in Show Business.  I had never done anything like that before, and was surprised and relieved at how helpful everyone was. I was asked to run lights, again not knowing a thing about them, and again through the kindness of their hearts, the Players showed me the ropes on that too.

I think that is why I love this theatre more than any other, because of the way you get treated and everyone’s willingness to help others learn and grow as an actor, director, stage manager and person. You don’t have to be some creative genius, just a person who loves the arts and who is willing to learn.  And through this group I found a passion I never knew existed. It’s been ten years and in the fall I will be starting school for my Masters in Stage Management at Rutgers University. I never would have found this if not for the people of Spring Garden Mill, and I hope once school is over, I can return for another ten years.

We began our association with Langhorne Players in 2000 when Alice took on stage manager duties for Light Sensitive.  We had only moved to Bucks County (from Delaware County) a couple of years earlier and were still finding our way as far as what theater in this neck of the woods was like.  And we are fortunate that we discovered Langhorne Players shortly after we got involved in the theater scene in our new location.

Between the two of us, we’ve filled every role possible at Langhorne (pun intended) – we have played lead and supporting parts, stage managed and directed, ushered and handed out programs, helped built sets, run lights and sound, sold tickets and set out refreshments, produced sound effects from scratch as well as borrowed them from outside sources, written and recorded scripted materials to be used during scene changes and even recorded the curtain-opening speeches one season.  And we wouldn’t have it any other way!  Because to enjoy the full experience of Langhorne Players, you need to take part in every facet of a production. 

What we found in Langhorne Players is a place that strives to be on the cutting edge.  A place that produces shows that are lesser known, but much more rewarding, both for the audience and those involved in the productions.  There are higher standards to be met here, but the results are always worth the extra effort.  If you are reading this now, then chances are you have been to a few shows here before, or perhaps you’re a season ticket holder.  Then you know what we say is true – you will not see shows of this quality and this uniqueness in very many other places.  And a Langhorne Players ticket is very affordable, considering what you will receive in return. 

Theater is very important to us.  It changed our lives.  We met doing Ten Little Indians in high school and sometimes wonder what our lives would have been like had one of us not been cast, or if one of us decided not to audition for that particular play.  We have worked separately and together in theaters all over the Delaware Valley and, looking back over it all, we can truly say that there is nowhere that comes close to the Langhorne Players experience.  We are proud to be associated with Langhorne – we have grown in so many ways and hope that our contributions help this theater continue to grow. Long live Langhorne Players!!

We have had the pleasure of calling Langhorne Players, and the Spring Garden Mill our “Home Theatre” for a combined 27 years! Jimmy joined the theater in 1993.

“Of all the places I’ve worked in my theatrical career, I always truly feel ‘home’ when working at Langhorne Players. Maybe it’s the open, collaborative, way the theatre troupe operates, or maybe it’s just the familiar scent of the building that reminds me of wonderful summers of my early adolescence, a time where my passion for theatre began.

"My first show was Shivaree by William Mastrosimone. I had just turned 19 and was playing a teenaged boy who suffered from Hemophilia and who was in love with a belly dancer who lived next door. I was young and excited because this was a big role! I couldn’t wait to tell my Mom. The conversation went something like this:

Jimmy: Mom! I got the lead in show!
Mom: That’s great news Jimmy. Good job!
Jimmy: There are so many lines.
Mom: You’ll do fi ne, you always do.
Jimmy: I get to have a love scene with a really hot girl that plays a belly dancer!
Mom: You WHAT?!”

Since that fateful conversation, Jimmy has gone on to do just more than just perform on Langhorne’s stage. He’s run lights and sound for numerous productions, designed lights and sets, acted as chair of the Tech Committee (building a number of sets), and served on the Board of Directors as Member at Large 2002 to 2004, again in 2005, and Vice President 2006 to 2009.

Lauren started working at The Mill in 2000. “I made my LP stage debut in 2001 with our production of A Fair Country, and followed that with a role in the next production of the same season, As Bees in Honey Drown. But in 2003, I had my most adventurous moment, being directed in Laundry and Bourbon by my then-boyfriend Jimmy. We didn’t quite know how it would work as a Director/Actor team, but we made it through without causing any bodily harm. We wed in 2005, so we’re pretty sure it worked out okay!

"I continued my LP fun, joining Jimmy on the Board of Directors, first as Secretary 2002 to 2004, then 2005 through 2008, and finally stepping into the role of President last year. In between I did a little stage managing, and of course, was your regular at the season ticket table 2001 through 2009.

"Together, we’ve participated in a number of productions throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, but Langhorne Players is truly our home—it’s our version of a playground. We come to feed our imaginations, building new worlds and creating a space where any and all are welcome to set aside the cares of the world and experience something new each night the lights go up.

"We have always enjoyed our time at The Mill. It’s more than just the excellent work the theatre produces. The lasting friendships we have developed with so many wonderful people over the years are ones we will cherish forever; and we hope to add new faces and new friends in the years to come.

"On a personal note…in the 1950’s Jimmy’s mother Julie was a member of Langhorne Players, so he’s second generation – how cool is that? And in January, 2011 we are expecting to welcome our first little one—the third generation Langhorne Players Member for our family—that’s even cooler!"

I began my relationship with Langhorne Players with the 1985 production of Play it Again, Sam by Woody Allen. I played Nancy, the main character’s ex-wife, and I was only ever “seen” in his mind. There was great dream lighting for all of the scenes I, along with the other characters in Allen’s mind, was in.

Since that production, I have been very fortunate to have played a number of other characters on the Langhorne stage. Sometimes the role was a featured player. Sometimes it was part of an ensemble, and sometimes I was a bit player. Every role however, helped to tell the story and to carry our audience along on a journey of some sort.

In the past 25 years there have been many times where my contribution to the story has been from off stage in a production team capacity. I have worked the box offiice, served refreshments, taken publicity photos, directed, painted sets, made costumes, taken out the trash, cleaned bathrooms and worked in the lighting booth. The listgoes on but I am sure you get the idea.

Throughout my years here I have also made an effort to bring new people into the fold. I want others to share in this relationship that I have had with Langhorne Players, and the magic that takes place on our stage.

And it is that magic that keeps me coming back year after year. There are few places where actors can challenge themselves with the kinds of stories we tell here at Langhorne. I find that with every show I learn something, about myself as well as the subject of our story. In addition I get to meet other people who are of a like mind, those who love to tell the stories and work collaboratively to create new places and lives. What a joy to know these people and to share with our audiences.

Years ago I worked on the show Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer. In this show the character Lettice explains that it is her job to enlargen, enlighten and enliven her audience. I think that puts what we strive to do here at Langhorne perfectly. My relationship with Langhorne Players has certainly enlargened, enlived and enlightened my life. And I hope to continue this relationship for more years to come.

My first encounter with Langhorne Players was way back in 1984 or 1985 (I think). I had auditioned for a role in a Woody Allen play called Don’t drink the Water. I didn’t know anything about it other than the fact that I enjoyed Woody’s humor. Well, a short time later I got a call from a long-time member named Mike Cooper asking if I would be interested in acting in a show he was directing just after the run of Don’t Drink the Water called The Rainmaker. Well, it’s nice being “wanted” so I said yes. I played the part of the “sensible brother Noah” and was introduced to the stage at Langhorne Players during that run.

Everybody was welcoming and encouraging and I fell in love with this place called Langhorne Players. Since then, I’ve been on the Langhorne stage approximately 17 or 18 times and had a wonderful time. Some of you may remember some of the well received plays in which I was involved like Assassins, The Odd Couple, Two Rooms, Patient A, Visiting Mr. Green and my all-time favorite Lebensraum. I will remember these experiences forever and know that we were able to bring some wonderful theater into the lives of those who were there in the audience.

But you know, an organization like this requires time and effort just to exist. And life experiences have taught me that you can’t always leave the work for others…you gotta jump in and help do it yourself. (Otherwise, there’s no organization and no stage on which to perform!) So, my wife Lois and I started to offer our services by helping out in the box office and ushering. We also help out with the bi-annual “Mill Clean-up” at the end of the season and again in the spring with the opening if the Mill as the new season is about to begin. A little more than two or three years ago I was asked if I would like to be on the Director Selection Committee (which I accepted) and then I was asked if I would be willing to serve on the board (which I now do).

As I look back on all the years of laughter, friendship, work and play I can tell you that I am glad that I agreed to participate … because what’s life all about? You can either sit on the sidelines and watch, or jump in and “get your hands dirty,” and I, for one, don’t just like watching others having all the fun.

I’m getting a little older now, and I’m getting tired a little more easily. So please, please, please come join our party. Get involved..otherwise this will just be another old, forgotten building and children will ask “what was in that place?” And that would be a damn shame!

Reprinted from the program for FICTION by Steven Dietz, June 2010

When I first moved to Forest Grove, a small village of 18 Victorian houses no one has ever heard of, I searched for a community theatre so I could continue my lust for theatre!

I happened to be performing at Off Broad Street Theatre in Hopewell, NJ along with Lauren and Jimmy Perry. They told me about Langhorne Players, with the caveat that I “would be lucky to get in.” And I thought I was performing quite well…..

To “get in,” I pretty much started off playing the back legs of a horse in an unforgettable show called, Anton In Show Business, in July 2006. Actually, I was a pair of (non-speaking) legs, supporting a giant puppet on a pole. I remember that it was a multi-charactered show, with a few females playing several roles. My roles were gradually reduced as rehearsals continued, until I was playing the Puppet Supporter Legs and an airport (male) official (wearing my husband’s TWA pilot cap). I remember the director memorably saying to me that if he weren’t already committed to his partner, he could actually fall in love with my character. Ah, theatre!

Things got decidedly better in October, 2006 when I graduated to playing a doctor in Jeffrey Hatcher’s Scotland Road. Around this time, I discovered an affinity (obsession) with clean bathrooms. Thus I volunteered to clean the bathrooms, vacuum the auditorium and lobby, starting with spring clean-up and then before opening night of each show. Oh, and winter close-down, too.

At some point I became Secretary to the Board, and struggled to take minutes with the garrulous committee and disseminate them via the Chairman in a timely manner. I remember pleading with then-Chairperson Lauren Perry to be allowed to reduce/ compress some of the more lengthy discussions. I also offered (begged) to be on the playreading committee, and Bernard DiCasimirro kindly asked me to join his group.

I “ush” one evening for each play, and always am asked by a patron, “Oh, aren’t you in the play tonight?” No, but I cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed the foyer! I also am responsible for finding and accommodating the lobby artist for each show. This entails working with the artist to get a bio submitted for inclusion in the
program by the publisher’s deadline; and working with Charles and the artist to get the art work hung and removed in a timely manner.

Langhorne Players comprises a group of wonderfully talented and generous people. I am proud to clean the bathrooms (yes, really!) and to be part of the inner workings of this community theatre. And who knows? One day I may get to play the front legs!