Aurora Players

“Come with me and see something strange unfold…”

Less than two weeks left until Ladahlord welcomes you into the theatre and into this fantastical story - don’t forget to get your tickets!

Roald Dahl’s JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH 🍑 runs October 11-27. For tickets and more information, visit auroraplayers.org 🎟️🎭

What mysteries will James uncover within Ladahlord’s magical book? Well, I guess you’ll have to join us to find out!

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH 🍑 opens October 11th. For tickets visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35650/production/1206382 🎟️

📸: Dori Shear-McGowan

Another wonderful banquet celebrating our past season and getting some sneak peeks into the next one! Thank you to all who joined us at the beautiful Suncliff on the Lake this past Sunday for food, trivia, and simply wonderful performances by some of the cast of our upcoming fall musical, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH! 🍑

A special thanks goes out to the members of our banquet committee, without whom this wonderful gathering wouldn't have happened, and to Suncliff on the Lake for hosting us once again!

Photos 📸: Catherine Burkhart, Maya Katashuk

The Niagara County Peach Festival begins today! 🍑

While you’re out celebrating all things peaches, why not snag tickets to Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach: a musical opening October 11th at Aurora Players!

🍑

The 2024-2025 Community Theater Season has begun! It's one of the many cultural gifts that make WNY a wonderful place to live. We appreciate all of your support on and off the stage! 🎭

Thank you to Ben Little, Rita Markle and Historic Schoolhouse Gallery for an evening of great music last weekend with Rob Montone & Friends/The RJs . Such marvelous covers of The Eagles, Linda Rondstadt, Neil Young and countless others. (Audience loved original compositions, like "Train Wrek," too.) We are grateful for a fantastic fundraiser. Thank you for the music 🎼! 💖

Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production team of our recent production of A WRINKLE IN TIME for receiving SIX TANYS Awards!

Thank you to roving adjudicator Paul A. Nelson and TANYS - Theatre Association of New York State for joining us under the stars for our fifth Theatre in Hamlin Park production! ✨

Tickets are now on sale for our Fall Musical - JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH 🍑

Join us as we kick off the 2024-2025 theater season with a family-friendly musical that has upbeat and unforgettable songs, dancing insects and adventure. Roald Dahl’s classic, heartwarming story is brought to life as we follow the adventurous journey of a young boy who discovers a magical peach and embarks on an incredible voyage, eventually finding the family he longed for. This musical production of James and the Giant Peach is filled with whimsical characters, humor, dancing and plenty of surprises that will delight both adults and children.

Directed by Rebecca Caufield
Music Directed by Bob Sowyrda
Choreographed by Rebecca Runge

SHOW DATES
Fridays 10/11, 10/18, 10/25 at 7:30 pm
Saturdays 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 at 2:30 pm
Sundays 10/13, 10/20, 10/27 at 2:30 pm

Get your tickets today!
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35650/production/1206382

Congratulations to our MAGICAL Cast & Crew behind ✨ A WRINKLE IN TIME ✨ We were so lucky to welcome both new and returning actors and patrons for our 5th Season of Theatre in Hamlin Park. Thank you to all who joined us!

♬♪★🎸We can't wait to enjoy happy hour with YOU! Rob Montone & Friends take the stage this Friday from 5:30-7:30pm at the Historic Schoolhouse Gallery - 1054 Olean Road in East Aurora. Donations will benefit our beloved theater.

The calm before the storm.

Here are our costumes lined up before most of the cast has arrived.

It is our extreme pleasure to announce that Aurora Players has been given six TANYS (Theater Association of New York State) awards for our current production of A WRINKLE IN TIME. These awards will be given out at the TANYS annual festival two weekends before Thanksgiving in 2024.

Award Categories:

Meritorious Achievement = Some advanced theatrical skill noted.

Excellence = Theatrical skill base not routinely noted in non-professional theatre.

Outstanding Achievement = Theatrical skill base rarely seen in non-professional theatre.

THE AWARDS:

🌟Excellence in Direction and Production Design to Paige Batt, Suzie Hibbard and their Production Team

🌟Excellence in Ensemble Performance to the Cast

🌟Excellence in Sound Design and Ex*****on to Isabella Albino and Scott Gattie

🌟Excellence in Performance to Lanie Shannon for the portrayal of Mrs. Whatsit

🌟Excellence in Performance to Maryna Sophia for the portrayal of Mother/Aunt Beast

🌟Excellence in Performance to Jesse Mallen for the portrayal of Red-Eyed Man and Other Characters

Congratulations everyone! Join us in Hamlin Park for our FINAL performance tonight at 7:30pm!!

Due to the threat of more inclement weather, TONIGHT, AUGUST 17TH’S performance of A WRINKLE IN TIME is CANCELLED.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will all join us for our final night of performances tomorrow, August 18 at 7:30pm.

We are able to offer free theater every summer due to donations from our generous patrons and audience members. If you are so inclined, you can still donate to Theatre in Hamlin Park by clicking this link: https://givebutter.com/Wrinkle

Introducing the Cast of A WRINKLE IN TIME! Meet Isabella Ruof, in her third Theatre in Hamlin Park production, who plays Mrs. Which. Isabella will also be taking over the AP Instagram today, so make sure you follow us to see what goes on behind-the-scenes of performing outside!

AP: Tell us about your character.
Isabella: Mrs. Which is one of 3 celestial beings who help the children throughout their journey. She is the eldest of the three, aaaannnddd sheee fffiinnddss itt haaaaard tooo ccoommmuuniicaaatee iiinnn theee laannguuaggeee offf woooorrdsss.

AP: What is your favorite thing about working on this production?
Isabella: It’s wonderful to work with such talented and dedicated young actors, seeing their passion for theatre and their professionalism is inspiring! I also just LOVE the chemistry between myself and my fellow Mrs. - what a delightful lil mix of weirdos!

AP: What is your favorite fantasy story and why?
Isabella: "When I was younger I was OBSESSED with The Chronicles of Narnia, particularly "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" movie. Why, you ask? I had a *huge* crush on the kid who played Edmund.

AP: Do you have any unique stories/thoughts to share about performing outside?
Isabella: I’d say what makes it fun and challenging is the same - the weather. I love getting to spend time outside enjoying our *best* season, BUT it also means we’re at the mercy of the elements 🌧️

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 FINAL WEEKEND August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Dori Shear-McGowan

Introducing the Cast of A WRINKLE IN TIME! Meet Jesse Mallen, who plays The Red-Eyed Man/Mr. Jenkins/Ensemble.

AP: Tell us about your characters.
Jesse: You'll see my bald self all over the place in this production. I'm playing the villainous Red-Eyed Man, the school principal (Mr. Jenkins), and a handful of smaller characters throughout as part of the Ensemble. The Red-Eyed Man, being a sort of "mouth of Sauron" to the hivemind, It, is a "prime coordinator," as he so eloquently puts it. He recruits the young to join the collective. He's an especially insidious villain in that he is able to read minds, which allows him to attack you in your most vulnerable places. The principal is exhausted and curt, but attempts to have a heart, feebly. Come to think of it, most of my characters are jerks. Are you trying to tell me something, Paige?

AP: What is your favorite thing about working on this production?
Jesse: It has been fun playing a character where I'm limited in the ways in which I can express myself: my eyes are covered and my limbs are mostly concealed under black clothing. As such, most of my expression must be through my mouth, my voice, and my movement. I have of course enjoyed working with my friends and contributing in ways I've never been able to before. I didn't think I'd be installing roof rafters as part of a production, but here we are!

AP: What is your favorite fantasy story and why?
Jesse: The Lord of the Rings, bar none. Tolkien's epic cannot be surpassed in the fantasy genre, though I'm sure some have come close.

"And the ship went out into the High Sea and passed on into the West, until at last on a night of rain Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. And then it seemed to him that as in his dream in the house of Bombadil, the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise."

AP: Do you have any unique stories/thoughts to share about performing outside?
Jesse: Well, for one, my body is terrible at thermoregulation (thanks, chemo), so I quickly end up a bit gross with the slightest bit of physical exertion. Thankfully, it doesn't slow me down. I will say that the black outfit and turtleneck is a bit stifling in 80-degree heat, but we all do it for love of the theater and our production crew! And because Paige and Callie made us do it. But mostly the love part!

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Dori Shear-McGowan

We are BACK for our Final Weekend of ✨ A WRINKLE IN TIME ✨

Join us as one of literature’s most enduring young heroines, Meg Murry, joins forces with Charles Wallace, Calvin O’Keefe, Mrs. Whatsit, and others to battle the forces of evil so she can rescue her father, save humanity, and find herself. In the end, we know two things for sure: 1. Love CAN overcome evil, and 2. There IS such a thing as a tesseract. A classic story for all ages to enjoy.

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 FINAL WEEKEND August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park

It's ! Did you know that Theatre in Hamlin Park has offered a FREE outdoor production for five years now? Which one was your favorite?

2018: Alice in Wonderland, directed by John Szablewski
2019: The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, directed by Justyne Harris
2022: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, directed by Rick Lattimer and Mary Loliger
2023: The Jungle Book, directed by Rebecca Caufield
2024: A Wrinkle in Time, directed by Paige Batt and assistant directed by Joel Murphy

Join us for the final weekend of our 2024 Production A WRINKLE IN TIME, this weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30pm. Bring your blanket and lawn chair to experience Madeline L'Engle's classic fantasy tale!

📸: Jim Bush, Mary Loliger, Ian Ronan

Introducing the Cast of A WRINKLE IN TIME! Meet Angelina Celej and Kennedy Calvert, who both play multiple roles as members of our ensemble.

AP: Tell us about your characters.
Angelina: Happy Medium is a fortune teller.
Kennedy: I’m the beginning of the show I represent the wind and sort of voices around the family. In the 2nd Act I am a member of IT, which is sort of a cult. They all think the same thoughts and are being controlled by IT. The characters follow all the rules and are scared of consequences if they don’t follow what IT tells them.

AP: What is your favorite thing about working on this production?
Angelina: It's my first time performing outdoors.
Kennedy: The people! I’ve met so many great people in this production that I hope I get to work with again.

AP: What is your favorite fantasy story and why?
Angelina: One of my favorites is The Secret of NIMH.
Kennedy: I love the Percy Jackson books and Divergent.

AP: Do you have any unique stories/thoughts to share about performing outside?
Angelina: It feels cleansing and refreshing to perform in nature, giving the artist a different perspective in a new environment. I enjoy working with natural light.
Kennedy: At first performing outside was scary for me because I thought it was kind of embarrassing to be acting and people could just walk by and see me. But now I really enjoy performing outside. I like when people stop and watch and just being outside in general is really fun.

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 FINAL WEEKEND August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Dori Shear-McGowan

Introducing the Cast of A WRINKLE IN TIME! Meet Naomi Lambert who plays Charles Wallace.

AP: Tell us about your character.
Naomi: Charles Wallace is Meg's little brother, he is different than your average 5 year old and understands much more than people know.

AP: What is your favorite thing about working on this production?
Naomi: The people I’m working with.

AP: What is your favorite fantasy story and why?
Naomi: I really like Little Red Riding Hood’s story, but I love all types of fantasy stories or fairy tales. They give me an escape from reality and allow me to think outside the box.

AP: Do you have any unique stories/thoughts to share about performing outside?
Naomi: The weather is definitely the most challenging part of working outside, the heat is a struggle sometimes too, but it’s worth it in the end.

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 FINAL WEEKEND August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Dori Shear-McGowan

✨ "What an incredible show! Such talented actors! Bravo!" - Amy M. ✨

Only 3 CHANCES LEFT to catch our fifth outdoor Theatre in Hamlin Park production of A WRINKLE IN TIME!

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 FINAL WEEKEND August 16-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Ian Ronan

Due to the threat of more inclement weather, TONIGHT, AUGUST 11TH'S performance of A WRINKLE IN TIME is CANCELLED.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you will all join us for our final weekend of performances August 16-18 at 7:30pm.

We are able to offer free theater every summer due to donations from our generous patrons and audience members. If you are so inclined, you can still donate to Theatre in Hamlin Park by clicking this link: https://givebutter.com/Wrinkle

Introducing the Cast of A WRINKLE IN TIME! Meet Ben McGarry and Alexa Enright, who are both members of our ensemble! Alexa also plays the role of Sandy.

AP: Tell us about your character.
Ben: I portray different things throughout the play and serve as a “Greek Chorus” for the audience.
Alexa: Sandy is a 10 year old twin who is one of Megs younger brother’s. The Greek chorus is used to represent different parts of the kids journey. The chorus is always grouped up together.

AP: What is your favorite thing about working on this production?
Ben: Meeting new people.
Alexa: Everyone in the show is very uplifting and happy to be there. The whole cast wants you to do your best and will help you get there.

AP: What is your favorite fantasy story and why?
Ben: The Harry Potter series because I loved reading them when I was younger.
Alexa: I can’t pick just one but I like anything that has horror aspects in it.

AP: Do you have any unique stories/thoughts to share about performing outside?
Ben: I think people passing by and watching can make it a little more stressful.
Alexa: The park right next to the theater can get very loud when the weathers nice. There has been multiple times where the whole cast will laugh about something that happened at the park that we have overheard.

🎭 FREE PERFORMANCES at 7:30pm Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
📅 August 2-18
🗺 Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park
📸: Dori Shear-McGowan