The Book Club at the Players starts its ninth year this month.   Conceived as a way of bringing Players members together – by reading and discussing current fiction and non fiction – as well the classics and plays by authors like Shakespeare and Rostand. Guest authors are often invited to discuss their work and to stay for dinner afterwards.   Brenda Gelles chairs the meetings and takes care of any pesky administrative details unstintingly. For a list of upcoming books contact Brenda at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  The Book Club meets the second Thursday of the month from 6:00-7:00 in the Library. We often continue our discussions after the meetings during dinner at the Book Club table in the grill. All are welcome and are encouraged to bring a guest.

Players may find more information and schedules on the members only Book Club Page.

 

Many of our members are bridge enthusiasts and who meet for a game in the Grill Room most afternoons from 2:30 until about 6:00 pm. More players are welcomed so members should feel free to join in a friendly game of Chicago-style contract bridge. Everyone has a great time and so will you!

     

Each month, usually on the first Thursday, from 6:00 until 7:15 pm the club hosts a cocktail party to which all members and their guests are invited. The price of $19.95 includes an open bar and a variety of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. It’s an excellent time to meet friends and those members you seldom otherwise have a chance to see. Many participants also make reservations to stay for dinner in the Dining Room after the reception.

Photos by Lloyd H. Slomanson
 

Usually held one Monday each month from 8:00 until 10:00 pm in the Grill Room, this is the chance for Players to strut their stuff. Emceed by recording artist Brute Force it’s a night to entertain and be entertained. Sing, dance, recite a poem or dramatic reading, play an instrument, or anything else that’ll keep the audience awake. Check the calendar for exact dates. For more information or to perform contact Ann Vellis at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

 

 

 ...began in a conversation at The Players one day when Meir Ribalow and Michael Tolan found themselves agreeing that great poetry was hardly ever read aloud to audiences and that our club would seem to have the perfect membership to remedy that. So they started this program, which developed into regular gatherings – most of them themed – at which Players could each read two poems by poets of unquestionable artistic stature (Yeats, Keats, Millay, and their ilk). Meir has been Director of the program for the past few years, with Matthew Baker recently added as Associate Director and Brenda Gelles producing each event. Poetry at the Players has developed into an inclusive process embraced by its regular participants (any Player is welcome), where, within a brief hour, truly great poetry lifts the spirits and sensibilities of all those in attendance. For more information contact Brenda Gelles at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a note for her at the front desk. (Photo left to right, Matthew Baker Brenda Gelles, and Meir Ribalow.)

 

 Come and spend an hour enjoying some of the world's greatest poetry. If you would like to participate contact Brenda Gelles at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a note for her at the desk.

Players may find more information and schedules on the members only Poetry Page.

 

A Community of Writers and Actors

Founded by Joan Burke and Bill Brown, The Professional Creative workshop at the Players is celebrating its fifth year! The PCW was created in the spirit of Edwin Booth and the Players, providing a place for writers, actors and those in the theater to meet and pursue the creative process of developing new works-in-progress in a unique and collaborative setting.   PCW has the distinction of being the only professional group at the Players which looks to its members first to provide this kind of creative activity from its talented members. Some notable examples of work coming from the PCW have already been realized in the production of films, full-length stage plays, books and poetry.

Players may find more information and schedules on the members only Creative Workshop Page.