Stapleton School of the Performing Arts
The Stapleton Theatre Company is the Theatre Arts division of the Stapleton School of the Performing Arts. It is brought to you by the same team who operated the San Anselmo Town Players as part of the San Anselmo Recreation Department from 2001–2006. The same type of program, artistic quality, production values, instruction, nurturing and care that you came to know from the Town Players continues at Stapleton Theatre Company.
Stapleton Theatre Company (2006–present),
In January 2006, after sixteen years of service to the Town of San Anselmo, Sharon Burns, the group's Executive Producer and tireless administrative supporter, took a new position with Stapleton School of the Performing Arts. Faced with uncertain support from the Town at a critical time, the Advisory Board made the hard decision to ensure the group's survival by finding it a new home.
The company began an exciting new period in its history, joining with the prestigious Stapleton School of the Performing Arts to form the Stapleton Theatre Company.
The first production by the Stapleton Theatre Company was "Annie", in May 2006.
The new organization combines the leadership and administrative talent of the old Town Players with the strong performing tradition and well-established reputation of the Stapleton School, and continues as one of Marin County's premier providers of family-oriented theatrical teaching and performance.
San Anselmo Town Players (1994–2006)
In 1994, The San Anselmo Town Players were formed as a program of the San Anselmo Recreation Department, led by local artist and director Sandi Weldon. Her vision was that of a multi-generational theater group, giving adults, teens and children the chance to work together both on stage and behind the scenes, to create quality Community Theater. The first show, "Peter Pan", was presented in Summer 1994, featuring a cast of local children and teens. The Town Players were off and running. Over the next seven years, the Town Players presented twenty-two fantastic, well-received productions. The group put on three shows a year, in January and May at The Playhouse, and in the summer, outside in Creek Park, with occasional additional adult-oriented shows at other local venues.
In mid 2001, Sandi left her position at the helm of the Town Players, and a group of committed citizen volunteers dedicated to the continuation of the Town Players came forward. An Advisory Board was formed, and in January 2002 the first Town Players show of a new "era" was presented. "Oliver!", directed by Buzz Halsing, was a huge success, with overwhelmingly sold-out performances.
The Town Players continued to grow and develop, with shows directed by Buzz Halsing and Blanca Florido, both Advisory Board members, and guest directors Kim Danforth, Barbara Segal, Jessica Sage and Erin-Kate Whitcomb.
The final production by the original incarnation of the San Anselmo Town Players was "South Pacific", directed by Barbara Segal, in January 2006.
