From “Mamma Mia!” to “The Music Man,” “West Side Story” to “The Wiz” — and, coming this fall, “Les Miserables” — sold-out audiences are awed by Staples Players’ twice-yearly productions.
The singing, dancing and acting — along with sets, lighting, sound, costumes and so much more — are Broadway-worthy.
That’s not just “06880” boosterism. Folks who see their shows — like Marvin Hamlisch’s widow, who was wowed by Players’ version of “A Chorus Line” — sing the high school troupe’s praises. (That’s how they got invited to perform at a birthday celebration for her late husband in New York, alongside Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey and Donna McKechnie.)
But those sets don’t build themselves. Costumes are not magically sewn.
Audiences enjoyed all of “Elf”: sets, costumes, staging and more.
It takes a ton of work.
A ton of money, too.
And — like a curtain on opening night — those costs keep rising.
They’ve risen particularly fast since COVID — up to 50% in some cases.
Five years of increased prices of lumber, building supplies, paint, lighting and sound equipment, costume materials and more have put a serious dent in Players’ bank account.
The imposition of tariffs means further price increases loom.
And here’s something most audiences don’t know: Players’ productions are primarily funded by … Players.
The Board of Education budget provides stipends for only 60% of the directors and others who work on shows.
The remaining costs are paid for by ticket sales, and money raised by students and parents through concession sales, program ads, sponsorships and the like.
The town does not contribute to sets, paint, lights, sounds, costumes or anything else. Players pay for all of those, out of pocket.
All lighting expenses — like those for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (above — come from the Players’ budget.
But there’s a second act to this story.
The troupe also pays for auditorium upkeep.
And the Staples auditorium has not been renovated in over 30 years.
That was not even a major overhaul. It touched only the seating and aesthetics of the hallowed space — not the lights, rigging or stage.
Players is grateful that the Board of Education recently approved funds to update the auditorium.
But those renovations won’t happen for a couple of years.
In the meantime, Players has footed the bill for bandaids — updated lighting, expensive sound equipment, rigging, etc. — to help the hall look and sound as good as it can.
Staples Players, at a recent work day.
Which brings us to act 3.
To raise money to keep producing the shows Westport audiences expect (and love), Players has organized a Dance-a-Thon.
On September 26, every student actor and tech crew member — a couple of hundred of them — will dance for 4 hours straight.
Mamma mia!
Each teenager will solicit funds from relatives, friends and neighbors. Be on the lookout!
But you don’t need to know a particular Player to help. Click here to make a contribution on the Dance-a-Thon homepage.
And know — when you see Staples Players’ spectacular production of “Les Mis” in November — that they couldn’t have done it without you.
(Players also offers new levels of sponsorship, and invites new and returning businesses and individuals to advertise in their “Les Mis” playbill. For details, email playersads@gmail.com.)
Staples Players’ officers will join many other cast and tech crew members in the September 26 Dance-a-Thon. From left: Henry Baker, Fin Madaloni, Sara Stanley, Cat Betit, Griffin Delmhorst, Gabi Schmelkin-Wilson. (All photos/Kerry Long)
ENCORE! Still looking for a reason to donate to the Dance-a-Thon? Here is a quote from Staples Players president Cat Betit:
Staples players has become a second home to me. Ever since I joined freshman year, the environment was welcoming. It became a place where I can feel comfortable and excited to do the thing I love, theatre. The Dance-a-Thon will be a fun night where all students in Players can let go of the stress of school and life, and enjoy an incredible night of dancing with their friends and fellow Players. I’m excited to share that joy with the community, and watch the connections in our big family grow even more.
Co-vice president of acting Sara Stanley says:
Players has been such a welcoming and loving community ever since I joined as a freshman. Players has given me so much: a place to express my passion, and a beautiful array of friends. I would love to help ensure that players will continue for many more generations to come, so that so many other kids will experience the same magic that Players has given me.
Co-vice president of acting Griffin Delmhorst adds:
Players has been important to me since my freshman year, because it has provided me the ability to be my authentic self. It feels like everyone is so self-conscious in the halls and everyone is constantly trying to impress each other, but as soon as I walk down the theater hallway at the end of the day, I’m met with smiles, the feeling of safety to be myself, and always a warm welcome. The Dance-a-thon allows all of Players to be their authentic selves for one night after rehearsal, without having to think about all of the stresses of applying to college, or schoolwork, or even rehearsal itself! Players is an environment that I’ve grown to be extremely grateful for over the past 4 years. I am even more grateful being confident that future Players will have the same feelings of safety and comfort in the theater hallway that I do.
Stage manager Fin Madaloni says:
Players is such a wonderful learning environment for myself and so many other students at Staples. It’s not just creating shows to entertain the community, but it’s creating a new generation of leaders in and outside of theatre. Dance-a-Thon is a way for us to open back up to the community and let them get involved to help us continue to do what we do, as well as to grow. We’re all so excited to bring back this event and to be able to continue to share our work with the community!
Co-vice president of acting Gabi Schmelkin-Wilson notes:
Players has been a huge part of my high school experience. It’s not just about theater, but about being part of a community where I’ve grown as a leader, collaborator and friend. The support and creativity in Players have shaped who I am. The Dance-a-Thon is our chance to give back to the program that gives us so much. It’s a fun and meaningful way to bring everyone together, celebrate our community, and make sure future Players have the same opportunities we’ve had.
Vice president of tech Henry Baker says:
Since joining 3 years ago as a freshman, Staples Players has been an integral part of my high school experience. The support and creativity of this community have shaped me into the collaborator, leader and overall person that I am today. The Dance-A-Thon is an opportunity for actors and technicians alike to release any stress they may be experiencing, while also fundraising and having a great time. But most importantly, it is our chance to give back to the organization that has given so much to us. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve received — just like the Players who came before me— and I’m determined to help future Players experience that same magic.
Wonder how the town’s folk would react if the football players had to pay for maintaining the fields, buying and cleaning the uniforms, etc…Oh, I forgot; that’s the educationally ESSENTIAL FOOTBALL; not the indulgent, fluffy theater stuff.
Do the athletes not do their own fundraising anymore? When I was at Staples, I remember car washes and the likes put on by student athletes.
Yes, plenty of teams do car washes.
What do the sports teams raise money for at car washes?
You name it: better uniforms and equipment not included in the school budget. Additional coaches beyond those in the school budget. Improvements and upgrades to fields. Team dinners, camps and other events. Video and livestreams. Financial help for players who need it. Coach buses to tournament games. End-of-season banquets. And on and on.
Board of Ed budgets don’t come close to covering all costs. Booster clubs do a lot. Car washes are a nice help, but they sure don’t supplement all of what’s needed.
Following up on Dan K’s post: is that accurate that the expenses of varsity sports are 100% funded by the Board of Ed budget but the expenses for other extracurricular activities such as Staples Players are not? If so, has this always been the custom? Finally, if you know, what are the approximate expenses the Bd of Ed budget allocates to football and what are those expenses for Staples Players? Thanks.
Sports are not 100% funded by the Board of Education budget. Sports booster clubs pay for many expenses, ranging from extra coaches, auxiliary equipment not provided for and film/video, to team dinners, other events, and financial support for student-athletes in need. Those expenses can be substantial. (Athletes often contribute to fund-raising, with car washes and other events — similar to Players’ Dance-a-Thon.)
Staples Players’ costs are — as noted in the story — special, as well as substantial. Audiences expect “wow”-worthy costumes, sets, sound and more. And not all professionals who help with productions (choreography, technical crew, etc.) are covered by the Board of Ed budget.
In addition, Players is unique in that their “home” (the Staples auditorium) is used by many outside groups, from productions of “The Nutcracker” to town-wide orchestra festivals. There is substantial wear and tear on lighting and sound (among other things). Players purchases, maintains and replaces that equipment, on their own.
As noted in the story too, the last renovation of the auditorium was 30 years ago. It covered areas of safety (like catwalks). But the Staples auditorium is essentially the same as when the school was built, in 1958.
Thanks for the detailed info. I guess the thing that is still surprising in light of this background is your statement in the original story: “The town does not contribute to sets, paint, lights, sounds, costumes or anything else. Players pay for all of those, out of pocket.”
It just strikes me that these are core elements of the Staples Players program—and that the town would seemingly pay for similar core elements of athletic activities. For example, I imagine the town budget pays for buses to transport teams to away games, right? And the town, I assume, pays for varsity uniforms.
If I am capturing or characterizing it properly, I guess I’m not sure why Players would be treated differently, especially as—if my memory is correct—Players consistently attracts the highest number of student participants of any extracurricular activity at Staples.
Hey Fred —
This is just always the way it has been done. The operating costs associated with doing a show — sets, costumes, lights, costumes, paint, etc is always paid for by the ticket sales of past shows. The school system does not contribute to these costs.
I don’t know how it works for sports. When I played sports at Staples, I think that the school provided the uniform. I don’t know how it works now.
Back to the dance-a-thon. If you remember Priscilla Stampa-Brown, perhaps you will donate in her memory. She was a Players’ Parent extraordinaire. Their remarkable costumer for years, even after her son, Max, graduated, and most importantly to our children then, a set of non- judgemental ears and quiet, sensible adult advice in the midst of the back stage hubbub. Donate in the name of your favorite past Player or Parent!
Dan, you’re shining a light on a critical need within Westport Public Schools — infusing necessary capital into our aging facilities. Your readers are probably surprised to learn how hard the Players have to work and how much money they have to raise to make the Staples auditorium just barely functional. They would likely be shocked to learn the rigging system failed last spring — rendering the auditorium inoperable for over a month! Spring concerts and awards nights had to be moved. It was a very challenging time. Yes, some money has been earmarked to fix the lights, but to be clear, no major renovation is in the near-term capital forecast.
Staples Players are not alone in finding themselves facing serious facilities problems. And this issue isn’t limited to Staples, either.
These extensive facilities problems call for answers now, not years down the road in some future budget. We are running for the BOE in part to bring new urgency — and creative solutions — to addressing these problems: solutions like exploring potential public-private partnerships between the BOE, the town, and local businesses. It’s hard to see how the town can reasonably foot the bill for all the things Westport Public Schools urgently need, when over 80% of our annual BOE budget covers contractual obligations. We need supporters and sponsors to get this done. And if you have your own creative ideas, please write to us at harris.shackelford@gmail.com to share them!
Jodi Harris & Stephen Shackelford
Harris-Shackelford for BOE
For anyone who has been to a Player’s show, this group is not just a high school theatre program, it’s a gift to our town. They put more heart, energy, and time into these shows than any other group or sport on campus. And it’s not just teaching these kids acting or singing, it’s leadership and life skills that extend well beyond the stage. Not to mention that the stage and auditorium is not just for Staples Players, it’s widely used and appreciated by other school and community groups, who have Players to thank for maintaining it. Give generously and come to Les Miserables this fall to enjoy these talented kids.
To Staples students, current Staples Players member, their parents, friends, aunts & uncles, former Players across the country, and all the ships at sea.
Have not read the above comments but will. In the meantime, I will put forward an idea I have discussed once briefly with Dan & also with an ’80s player who taught TSP mode of operations/talent training at his HS in Colorado and, of course, walked away with state awards.
GET IT TOGETHER, PLAYERS! GET IT TOGETHER, ALUMS!
It is Past Time for a FORMAL, incorporated non-profit called Staples Players Alums who organize and hold yearly events in all the major cities across this country to support the current players group and to raise the Capital funds necessary to gift to the Town for all the renovations needed. For ALL the reasons Dan has articulated here and for MORE.
The MORE is that players as individuals are so talented they stand out in ALL professions and I include the stage crew, etc. They are not just embedded with Disney in the schools production department or write Tony award winning music. Everywhere. The phrase NETWORKED was likely invented to cover the 3 Degrees of Separation that is Staples Players Alums & Associates. (You know, I am correct, Paul G.)
And they all have $. As a small scale fundraiser in one of my careers, you got to raise the scratch. But you can’t go to Hamlisch’s widow, already positively inclined to support the troop, and ask for a “significant donation” without having a good plan and a solid organization there to manage it — to make sure it does what you asked for it to do.
Can you get the Town to rename the auditorium after Marvin Hamlisch? Helen Hayes has her own theater, why can’t Marvin? And that is not even spit balling. I mean, there’s a town pickleball court named after a living person, IIRC
I’ve no Players association except for the people in my home room and in some classes. Just a lowly 3rd row clarinet player in the band. But I was there for all the pre-production buzz all the time. I was there for the FIRST Peter Pan. I was there for the Madwoman of Chaillot [sp]. I was there when the dry ice slithered across the stage in the FIRST Midsummer’s Night. Indelible memories and experiences. True “Talk of the Town.”
To Ann S.: I know you know an ex-SP who is a very good non-profit focused lawyer. The organization can be created within 2-3 weeks. I mean, isn’t our Madwoman’s daughter a lawyer? All you movers and shakers of 1966 can get this done ASAP.
It bogles my mind why this hasn’t been done yet. It is the Ultimate Booster’s Club. The Ultimate Andy Hardy “Let’s put on a show” moment in the Player’s history. It can become a Top 5 Power Network at least in American entertainment media.
Just — ACT. In all the meanings of the word. The $ will flow.
Bob Gerrity, Staples High 1966
P.S. You know, you might even get C. Lloyd to come out of hiding for a benefit reading at the Auditorium or at the Westport Country. That would sell tickets.
Makes perfect sense (as long as half the funds raised is shared with the less fortunate a mere 8 miles away in Bridgeport). I mean, when is enough, enough?