The Players’ Ring

The Players’ Ring Theatre is a New Hampshire non-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide a venue for local production companies and to produce original works by local playwrights.

The Players’ Ring Theatre is located in a 19^th-century brick building on Marcy Street, on the grounds of Prescott Park, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The historic building is owned by the City of Portsmouth and has been fitted out for a black-box theatre.  With a per-show seating capacity of 75 persons, the Players’ Ring’s annual attendance is approaching 6,000.

Since its creation, more than 30 local production companies have presented plays at the Players’ Ring Theatre.  While some form to produce a single special event, some production companies produce shows on an annual basis.  It is estimated that well over 200 actors, directors, playwrights and technical staff work together to produce plays at the Players’ Ring each year.   Over the past five years, $172,000 has been distributed to those involved in Ring productions.

Original plays account for one-half of each season’s offerings.  Approximately seven original plays have been produced each season, beginning in 1993 with David Mauriello’s Body.

Serving the Seacoast and its performing-arts community

The Players’ Ring fulfills its community service mission by providing a low-cost venue for Seacoast performing artists and production companies.  Production companies receive 65% of the gross receipts for each production.  The balance goes to the Players’ Ring to cover operating expenses.

The Players’ Ring is committed to providing affordably priced access to locally produced theatre and original works.  Tickets to Players’ Ring performances are $10 and $8 for students and seniors.

The Players’ Ring seeks grants to produce original works.  With Love: Letters from the War and A Raisin in the Sun, which benefited the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, are two examples.

Encouraging original works

In 2001, the Players’ Ring created the F. Gary Newton Playwriting Competition.  The Competition is funded out of the organization’s operating budget.  The primary criteria for participation is that the author must live within a 60-mile radius of Portsmouth and the submission must not have been produced elsewhere.  The winner of the Competition has his/her show produced by the Players’ Ring the following season.  The second and third place winners receive cash awards.