Jim Potter | President, Board of Trustees

Dear Friends,
 
We live in a special place.  I’ll bet we share a love of many of the same wonderful opportunities this area offers to fulfill and enrich our lives.  We choose to live (or visit!) here for many reasons, among them the abundance of cultural resources in the arts.
 
When I was in the process of looking for a spot to settle down and start my medical practice during my last year of residency training, my search ended abruptly in the Monadnock area.  This region has preserved its historical charm and embraced progress at the same time.  One particularly valuable resource that appealed to me was the professional theatre in the quaint old barn at the end of Hadley Road.
           
I have loved live theatre since my early years when my parents took me to see performances of big stage musicals in Los Angeles, near my hometown.  It was common for me to hear the songs of Rogers and Hammerstein playing on the stereo in our living room. 
 
There is a kind of magic that occurs in live theatre as the actors and audience play off each other.  This is not something that can be duplicated on a screen, large or small.  The participation of the audience is critical to the success of a performance, just as is the work of the actors, playwright, director, designers, and technicians.  As audience members, we are recipients of an amazing gift which moves us emotionally, causes us to think critically about important ideas, and provides us with a temporary escape from some of the challenges we face in our lives.
 
Peterborough Players is a truly professional theatre which is well known and held in high regard around the country.  And the Players provides a highly sought- after internship program for young artists in training. We’re fortunate to have this right here in the Monadnock Region!
 
With the “Grand Restart” last summer, Tom Frey showed us his creative genius as
all three shows were staged outdoors to rave reviews.  As we prepare to launch our 2022 summer season, it is time to reflect on the need for community support.  Many of the costs associated with stage productions occur even before the first tickets are sold. These are related to royalties, contracts, salaries, etc.  And this summer, ticket sales will only account for about 40% of overall expenses.  The difference needs to be made up by those
of us in the community.
 
I urge you to join me in supporting the Peterborough Players with a donation today.
 
Your tax-deductible contribution is needed more than ever right now due to the impact that the pandemic has had on live indoor events.  Together we can help to ensure that the Players will continue to thrill audiences for many years to come and participate in the professional development of the next generation of theatre artists.
 
Please use the enclosed envelope, go to the Players website, or call (603) 924-9344 to make your generous donation today.  Thank you.
 
With sincere gratitude for helping to make our Peterborough Players possible,

Jim Potter
President, Board of Trustees