Colonial Players was founded by a group of Annapolitans dedicated to bringing high quality theater to what was then a sleepy town on the Chesapeake. As Annapolis has grown, so has the theater, continuing to thrive with a dedicated corps of volunteers and a loyal subscriber base.The history of Colonial Players is intertwined with the rhythms and pace of downtown Annapolis. From its humble beginnings in the old Annapolis Recreation Center near City Dock to its current home at the foot of State Circle, Colonial Players continues its mission to entertain and educate, bringing the dramatic arts to the heart of the city. The theater's curtain first raised in 1949 with a production of James Thurber's slapstick comedy The Male Animal. Six years later, Colonial Players purchased an old car repair shop on East Street, and through the years this site has been remodeled and expanded into the 180-seat arena theatre patrons and actors alike enjoy today. From Shakespeare to Noel Coward to Stephen Sondheim, Colonial Players audiences have enjoyed a wide range of performances. Experimental theater, theater for children, works by new playwrights, one-act play festivals, an array of workshops, and our annual production of A Christmas Carol fulfill our mission to entertain, educate, and enrich our community through the dramatic arts. Colonial Players is proud of its place in the Annapolis history, and we invite you to take part. Whether as a theatergoer, subscriber, or volunteer, actor, director or playwright, join us as we continue to make theater-in-the-round a vibrant part of Annapolis.