Trumansburg’s Encore Players find new home

The Trumansburg Encore Players Community Theatre group has finally found its permanent home at the Arena Theatre at Loch Ridge Farm, located at 9706 Congress St. Ext. in Trumansburg.

“We started in 2014, and there were four of us that really wanted to do community theater,” President Alice Ploss said. “We would meet once a week for about a month. Our first production was ‘Oliver,’ and we held it at the elementary school auditorium. There were approximately 24 kids and 30 adults that made up the cast. We’ve done musical theater since then; music theater is our thing. We’ve expanded to straight plays such as comedies, drama and one-acts.”

The pandemic caused major changes to how musicians, performers and singers practice, rehearse and perform. The limitations and risks have brought many live performances to a halt. Restrictions have been put in place to reduce transmission risks for those who work or volunteer in the sector, but performances, for the most part, were at a complete standstill during the majority of the time COVID-19 was most prevalent.

“The pandemic was rough on the arts,” Ploss said. “The Trumansburg Community Chorus shut down for two years. People have been itching to sing. It was very risky with people projecting all over the place and the limitations on distancing and theater capacity. For the time being, we will be
requiring masks for all in attendance at the Arena Theatre.”

The Encore Players will present “The Cayuga Canal Girls” as its first performance at its three-season permanent location, running June 2 through 5 at the Arena Theatre.

“‘The Cayuga Canal Girls’ was a winner in the American Association of Community Theatre’s NewPlayFest 2020 and had its premiere in October of 2021 by the Phoenix Stage Company in Oakville, Connecticut,” Ploss said. “The playwright, Laura King, lives in Georgia, but the show is set in Seneca Falls. The author decided on an upstate New York setting because she was intrigued by Seneca Falls’ history as a center for the fight for women’s rights.”

Ploss points out that “The Cayuga Canal Girls” is a dark comedy, dealing with heavy subject matter such as mental health, suicide and sexual abuse, and that it is recommended for mature audiences.

“My friends Anne and Bill Bialke are owners of the property where the theater is,” Ploss said. “They wanted to turn the Morton building on their property into something. Initially, they were considering a riding ring for horses. Then, they got the idea to use it as a three-season theater. Anne and Bill are passionate about community theater. In fact, they met doing theater in high school.”

The new theater will be wheelchair accessible, have portable toilets and provide water to all attendees of performances. Barnyard parking is available adjacent to the theater.

“Prior to having the Arena Theatre available, we figured out ways to do other presentations during the pandemic,” Ploss said. “On Halloween 2020, we hosted a Murder and Mayhem event in Grove Cemetery on Falls Road, where different groups of actors came out and told stories of the dead housed at the cemetery. John Wertis, the Ulysses historian, did all the research for the actors, and they wrote and performed their own monologues based on it. Most of them were Trumansburg performers, but we also had some from Ithaca and Lansing. It was a safe venue because it was held outside. It was spooky and a lot of fun.”

Now that the troupe has a permanent location, and with many pandemic restrictions being lifted, the Arena Theatre will offer spring, summer and fall performances to the community and is looking to host a variety of eclectic and inclusive offerings.

“We’re excited to feature ‘The Cayuga Canal Girls’ as our first feature in the brand-new theater we have created,” Ploss said. “One of the cool things about this play is that we’re going to have the first act in one setting and the second act in a different setting. Everyone will have to turn their chairs completely around during the different acts. Act one is set in a living room, where act two is set on a bridge over the canal. Bill is the builder and technical director, and it will be a unique setting and experience for the audience.”

Tickets for “The Cayuga Canal Girls” are $15 and can be purchased in advance by following the Eventbrite link at encoreplayers.org or at the door at the Arena Theatre.

Information on the group and upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page at facebook.com/tburgtheatre.encoreplayers/.

Trumansburg Connection appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

Village of Trumansburg 150th Anniversary Downtown Celebration

For its 150th anniversary, the village of Trumansburg will host a series of events to celebrate its rich history. All events are free and family friendly.

On June 10, come see “Shades of 1872,” with historical skits performed by the Encore Players Community Theatre at the Ulysses Historical Society, 39 South St., Trumansburg.

June 11 is Porchfest, which brings the community together through music! Porchfest is a do-it-yourself music festival featuring free shows on porches all over the village. Anyone can host or play a show! The event goes on rain or shine, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, shopping, drinks and dessert in welcoming downtown.

Porchfest includes a variety of activities, including a performance from the Sim Redmond Band from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and a group photo at 6 p.m., both on Union Street.

On June 12 from noon to 2 p.m., join other residents for lawn games and a community picnic at the Trumansburg Farmers Market. Bring your family, a blanket and chairs and a lunch and come play croquet, kuub and cornhole! Some game sets will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own along with your lunch.