ABOUT US

In the spring of 1960 10 members of an adult education speech class taught by Maxine Adkins proposed to organize a community theatre in Anderson, since none existed at the time. Each person paid $10.00 for a lifetime membership, officers were elected, and a season of three plays were presented that summer in the Anderson High School auditorium.

The following summer with the growth of interest in membership, Madison County Players moved to the Geeting property at the end of East 10th Street and presented a season of plays in a rented tent. Through the generosity of the late Robert Geeting, a new circus tent was purchased, and the players began to be known as the Geeting Summer Theatre. The theatre brought to the area some well-known local television personalities, Frances Farmer Kay Field, and Jack Kelly of the Maverick series.

A pole barn was eventually erected on the site to provide more security as the theatre began to accumulate lighting, properties, and costumes. Theatre membership grew and reached out into the entire county. Realizing that the theatre building rested on leased ground, the board of directors began an intensive campaign to save money in order to purchase a more permanent home.

In 1983 the group brought a warehouse at 124 West 9th Street paying $40,000 in cash. A mortgage was, also, placed on the property in order to secure additional funds for remodeling the structure into a theatre with a proscenium stage, green room, orchestra pit, concession stand, and raised seating. The Mainstage Theatre opened as the permanent home for the Madison County Dramatic Players in 1984.

One of the oldest self-supporting summer theatres in the state, Mainstage presents five plays from May to October, and frequently presents special shows for children's or holiday shows. The players also perform dinner theatres and special productions for charitable groups and festivals.

Below is a list of the people from the community that make up the
Board of Directors of Anderson's Mainstage Theatre.
All the people are volunteers, and offer their time to further the arts
in the greater Anderson/Madison County area.

Bill Malone - (2011) President of MCDP/Mainstage Theatre
Tommy Thomas - (2011) Vice President
Karen Sipes - (2011) Secretary
Jayna Friend - (2011) Treasurer

2011 Board of Directors:
Penny Dyer
Jason Friend
Jayna Friend
Bill Malone
Cathy Orebaugh
Connie Rich
Karen Sipes
Tommy Thomas
Dan Tremaine
Rick Vale
Roland VanHorn

ANGELS
Jake and Nina Coyner
Jackie Holanda
Keith and Marian McLaughlin
Virginia Musser
Steve and Cindy Pugsley
Morrie and Pat Sites
Clark and Julie Sloan
Theodore Vinson
Jane Martin
In memory of Patty Counts
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service
Don and Sandra Volk

STARS
Joan Weston

PATRONS
Nita Arnold & Whitney Morgan
Becky Eglen
Eileen Lewis
Frank and Marlene Niccum
Robert Harruff
Mrs. Robert Dyer
Joyce Thayer
Kathryn Ward
WordPLAY Publications

ADKINS SCHOLARSHIP
Virginia Musser
Julie Plake
Clarice Greenberg
Joe and Joyce Hellmann
Don and Sandra Volk

USHERS
Thanks to so many of you who have supported MAINSTAGE THEATRE by serving as volunteer ushers! Anyone can usher! Ushers take tickets, seat patrons, distribute show programs, and provide excellent customer service to patrons at MAINSTAGE performances. In exchange for your service, you are able to see the show free! This is a great way to get involved in the arts and have fun while supporting your community.

SET BUILDERS
We need people to come into our theatre during set weekend and help the director/cast build the set for the show. It is a nice stepping stone for someone just joining the theatre. No experience is needed. Come and join the fun.

BACK STAGE ASSISTANCE
We are also looking for person(s) to assist the director/cast to help bring on or take off props, pull the curtain, and be the eyes and ears for the director. If you are interested please e-mail the listed show director for more information.

BOX OFFICE ASSISTANCE
We need a few people to help in the box office during business hours, as well as during the week of the show, to take messages and sell tickets. It would require some computer and communication skills.

If any of these openings are of interest to you, or if you have other talents or services to offer, please call the theatre box office at 765.644.5111 or e-mail us.