Cider Mill Playhouse facts for kids
The front entrance to the theatre when it was open.
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| Formation | 1976 |
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| Dissolved | 2017 |
| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Professional Equity house |
| Location | |
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Artistic director(s)
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Gail King Belokur |
| Website | CiderMillPlayhouse.com |
The Cider Mill Playhouse was a professional theatre in Endicott, New York, that was open from 1976 to 2017. It was famous for putting on many kinds of shows, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.
As a professional theatre, it hired actors who were members of the Actors' Equity Association. This is a group that makes sure actors are paid fairly and work in good conditions. This type of theatre is often called an "Equity house."
Contents
From Apple Barn to Stage
The story of the playhouse begins in the early 1970s. A professor from Binghamton University, Dr. John Bielenberg, wanted to find a place for his theatre students to practice their skills outside of the university.
He and his team found the perfect spot: an old apple warehouse called The Cider Mill. The owner, Orlando Ciotoli, agreed to let the university use his barn for theatre during the summer. This was the start of a great partnership.
Becoming a Community Theatre
For many years, the university helped pay for the theatre. But in 1991, that funding stopped. To keep the theatre going, the Cider Mill Playhouse became a non-profit organization in 1992. This meant it was a charity that served the community.
In 2015, the theatre became a fully professional "Equity house" and was renamed the Cider Mill Stage. Sadly, the theatre company closed in late 2017 after it could no longer use the building.
Famous Shows at the Playhouse
Over its long history, the Cider Mill Playhouse staged many popular and classic plays and musicals.
Early Productions
In its early years, the theatre gave students a chance to work with professional actors and directors. Dr. Bielenberg said this was very important because it prepared students for their future careers in theatre.
Some of the first shows included:
- Company
- Sleuth
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- Of Mice and Men
- South Pacific
- A Raisin in the Sun
A Christmas Carol Tradition
A special tradition at the Cider Mill Playhouse was its yearly performance of Charles Dickens's famous story, A Christmas Carol.
Starting in 1982, the theatre used its own special musical version of the story, which was created by the founder, John Bielenberg. In 2016, a new version of the show was created. This version featured both professional actors and volunteers from the local community.
The Final Season (2016-2017)
In its last season, the playhouse presented a mix of new plays, mysteries, and classic comedies. The shows included:
- When In Carthage
- Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
- The Importance of Being Earnest
- Peter and the Starcatcher
- The Drowsy Chaperone
- Pump Boys and the Dinettes
