About The Players’ Ring
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January 27 - February 12
Since 1992, the mission of The Players' Ring has been to promote the efforts of local artists through the production of original works, while providing an affordable theatre space to local production companies. “The Ring” as we know and love it, nurtures all artists and provides an environment where artists can thrive, grow, take risks and make daring choices.
The Players' Ring is located in a nineteenth 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 is fitted out as a “black box” theatre. With a seating capacity of 75, The Players' Ring annual attendance exceeds 6,500.
Since its creation, more than 30 local production companies have presented plays at The Players' Ring. While some form to produce a single special event, some production companies produce shows on an annual basis. Over 200 actors, directors, playwrights and technicians work together to produce plays at The Players' Ring each year. Over the past five years, over $180,000 has been distributed to those involved in Players' Ring productions. Original works account for half of each season’s offerings.
Serving the Seacoast and the Performing Arts Community
Think of the shows you’ve seen on The Ring’s stage. They range from classics like our annual Shakespeare show and this year’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Biloxi Blues” to original works like G. Matthew Gaskell’s “All the Rage”, Billy Butler’s “Gay Bride of Frankenstein” and Jacquelyn Benson’s award-winning “Crush Depth”.
The Players' Ring is proud to serve the performing arts community on the Seacoast by providing a low cost venue for performing artists and production companies to take bold risks and make daring choices. All production companies enter into a partnership with The Players' Ring, receiving 65 percent of the gross receipts for each production. The 35 percent balance goes to The Players' Ring to cover operating expenses. While remaining committed to serving our artistic community, The Ring is also committed to serving our valued patrons and Members by consistently maintaining extremely low cost ticket prices of just $12 ($10 for Students and Seniors) for Members and $15 ($12 for Students and Seniors) for Non-Members.
Encouraging Original Works
The Players' Ring places particular emphasis on the production of original works by local playwrights. In past years the annual F. Gary Newton Playwriting Competition was the process through which original works were submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration. In recent years, an exciting emergence of original works has taken place during The Ring’s annual Producers’ Meeting. Playwrights have been pitching shows directly and proudly during this annual meeting which serves as the “audition” for production companies before The Players' Ring Board of Directors and Artistic Committee. With such an emergence, the Board of Directors decided to move away from the annual competition, while keeping in mind its success in years past.
In 2010 The Ring developed plans to expand the search for original works to a regional (New England) basis. The Artistic Committee reviews submissions throughout the year and provides feedback on the suitability of the works submitted. These submissions can still be submitted at the annual Producers’ Meeting.
Leadership at The Ring
The Players’ Ring is an entirely volunteer organization. There are no paid staff. The Ring is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors: Barbara Newton, Todd Hunter, Sam MacLeod, David Mauriello, Jennifer Price, Joel Plagenz, Mike Pomp and Susan Turner. The Players’ Ring Company is a New Hampshire nonprofit 501c3 founded in 1992 to provide a venue for local production companies and to produce original works by local playwrights.
