Get Tickets Now for The Ferryman
April 18 – May 3, 2025
The second production from Rochester Community Players during its landmark 100th season is The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth. Directed by Jean Gordon Ryon, this award-winning drama set in 1981 takes place in rural Northern Ireland during “The Troubles,” a dangerous time with threats of violence from both the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and the English military.
The Carneys–a large farming family–have been living for 10 years with a mystery that has had a long-term impact on everyone: the unsolved disappearance of Seamus Carney, a member of the IRA. When a visitor arrives during their annual harvest celebration, they get unexpected news that soon turns their world upside down.
AUDITIONS for the final TWO shows of our 100th Season!
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare
July 11-26, 2025 at Highland Park Bowl. Directed by Lizz K.d.
&
The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown
Co-produced with {theater}+{náfsi}
October 3-11, 2025 at MuCCC. Directed by Reuben J. Tapp
AUDITIONS will be held at the Community of the Savior Church, 4 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
*Sunday, April 27, 5-9 PM & Monday, April 28, 6-9 PM
Dance Auditions: Thursday, April 24, 6-9 PM
The African Company Presents Richard III
*Sunday, April 27, 5-9 PM & Sunday, May 4, 5-9 PM
*Auditions on April 27 will be held in separate rooms. Actors may audition for either or both shows.
Rochester Community Players Centennial Honor Roll
The Rochester Community Players Centennial Honor Roll is an opportunity to recognize and remember its most important asset: the people who have been part of starting, growing, funding, and steadfastly supporting RCP in countless ways throughout its long history.
During our first 100 years, there have been many things to celebrate as well as challenges to overcome. RCP weathered the Great Depression soon after it had just begun…survived World War II that took many of its volunteers overseas and closed many community theatres elsewhere…kept producing shows while looking for another building when told an expressway would be going through its Playhouse home…and when that didn’t happen facing the ever-growing costs of maintaining an aging building.
After selling its theatre in 1984, RCP continued to produce plays featuring local talent at various rented venues, and since 2010 at the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC). For 27 years, RCP’s annual Shakespeare in the Park productions have been staged at the Highland Park Bowl.
What has never changed over 10 decades is the reason Rochester Community Players is now celebrating its 100th season. Credit for this longevity belongs to the dedicated people who envisioned a community theatre group for Rochester followed by the commitment of thousands of volunteers over the years working on productions, committees, fundraising activities, special programs, special events, and the other countless things that are necessary to keeping a theatre alive! A small staff of dedicated directors, designers, and office personnel also worked with RCP until it became an all-volunteer organization in 1998.
The Centennial Honor Roll is a way to recognize and celebrate people who have been actively involved with Rochester Community Players at any time in its history from 1924 through today.
Please join us in honoring those who have made a significant commitment to the success of Rochester Community Players with a donation of $50 per person to the Centennial Honor Roll.
People will continue to be added to the Centennial Honor Roll throughout 2025 and will be listed on RCP’s website, in programs for RCP productions, and at all Centennial Season events. Contributors making Honor Roll donations will be acknowledged in RCP programs.
For online donations: Use the Centennial Honor Roll link under SUPPORT RCP. Important: If you are adding more than one person, please put a comma after each name. Example: Mary Finucane, Robert Stevens, Florence Mangan, Nancy Kennedy, Harriet Warren, George Warren.
For donations by mail: Send a check payable to Rochester Community Players along with a note listing the name(s) of people you would like added to the Centennial Honor Roll at $50 per person and mail them to RCP, 36 Chenin Run, Fairport, NY 14450.
NOTE: Donations to Rochester Community Players are tax-deductible. Your name will be added to the Contributors listing in RCP programs or you can specify that you wish to remain anonymous.
We want to hear from you!
As we move into our 101st Season, Rochester Community Players is reaffirming our commitment to creating theatre that is as broadly diverse as our greater Rochester community. We’re asking for your help to better understand what our audience and community members appreciate most about RCP’s previous productions, and what you’re most looking forward to in our future seasons.
We have created a brief survey to better understand what types of plays, performances, or events you’d like to see in RCP’s future seasons. We’re interested in knowing the genres of shows you’re most interested in seeing as well as what specific shows you’d like to see in our season. We value your voice in our community, and are excited to hear your thoughts! We request your responses by May 4th, 2025.
[Click here to fill out our survey.]
RCP’s Centennial Season Events
RCP’s 100th season in the media: See Jim Memmott’s “Remarkable Rochester” column in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle online.
Sunday, January 26, 2025
RCP officially started its Centennial Season with a “100 Years in Photos!” exhibit, announcement of actress Mimi Kennedy as Honorary Chairperson and more.
RCP Alumni & Friends Reunion Picnic
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Ellison Park, Orchard Grove Shelter
Share stories and memories with people from across the years who have worked with RCP in any capacity!
A special party ending RCP’s Centennial Season Celebration!
LOOKING AHEAD!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, the many threads of this comedy include preparations for a wedding, lovers in a romantic tangle, actors rehearsing a play, and a fairy king quarreling with his wife.
Performances: July 11-26, 2025
At the Highland Park Bowl
Director: Lizz K.d
The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown
Based on the true story of a Black theatre company’s popular production of Shakespeare’s Richard III in 1821’s New York City and the white theatre owner trying to shut down their show by any means possible.
Performances: October 3-11, 2025
At the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Avenue
Director: Reuben Tapp