Celebration of the Life
of Russell Krogsgard: March 22

Playmakers invites you to honor and celebrate the life of the late Russell Krosgard. Russell had been working with our stage, both on and off, for decades, with final and touching performance in Cats as Gus. He was an actor, pilot and architect, and an overall wise man. This event is FREE, and open to the public. Starts at 8 p.m.

2012 Annual Membership Meeting & Alvin Awards

Playmakers Theater held its Alvin Awards on August 18, 2012, which is named after Alvin Bertel, who donated the original building. A feast made by Ronnie & Betty Pogue began the yearly event with jambayla, salad, & soft drinks, accompanied by carrot cake donated by Zoe’s bakery. A cash bar was provided and ballots were handed out to elect officers for the 2012-13 season.

President Kay M. Files began the meeting around 7:00 P.M. with Frank Levy as MC & Missie Arato Noel as his assistant, “Vanna”. Levy gave recognition to the late Evelyn Chalaron and Taffy Maginnis for their great contribution to Playmakers existence.

The following awards were given:

Kay M. Files presented the President’s Award to Derek Thrush for his tireless service to the theater.

Attendees were entertained by song selections from past and future shows. Lost in the Darkness from Jekyll & Hyde was sung by Stephen Dale. In His Eyes from Jekyll & Hyde was sung by Amanda Jones & Katy O’Connell. Mushnik & Son, Skid Row, & Suddenly Seymore from Little Shop of Horrors was sung by Alexander Sibley & Ed Morvant and the Little Shop cast.

Each director gave out “Director Choice Awards” to those people who went “above and beyond” in service to their play.

The elected board for the 2012-13 season is: Kay M. Files- President, Melanie Hayno, Donna Heier- Treasurer, Jeanette Ketry, Frank Levy, Malcolm Maginnis, Ellen A. O’Connell, Adolfo Rodriguez, Ros Pogue, Arianne Poole, Ladson Poole, Ken Richard- VP, Renee Sibley, Joy Thompson, & Derek Thrush. Among those newly elected are Ros Pogue, Adolfo Rodriguez & Arianne Poole.

Other election results are as follows: Entertainment/Social Commettee: Melanie Aymami, Joy Thompson, Frank Levy, Betty Lancaster, & Clara Marion. Play Reading Committee: Kay M. Files, Anne Pourciau, Melnaie Hayno, Jeannette Ketry, & Malcolm Maginnis.

2009 Annual Membership Meeting & Alvin Awards

2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melanie Aymami
Kenneth Faherty
Kay Files
Donna Heier
Jeanette Ketry
Mark Leonard
Frank Levy
Malcolm Maginnis, Jr.
Ellen O'Connell
Lynn Perkins
Randy Perkins
Ronnie Pogue
Ken Richard
Joy Thompson
Elizabeth Williams

OFFICERS
Lynn Perkins - President
Kay Files - Vice-President
Joy Thompson - Secretary
Donna Heier - Treasurer

PLAY READING COMMITTEE
Mark Leonard - Chair
Melanie Aymami
Kenneth Faherty
Kay Files
Jan Gardner
Jeanette Ketry
Paula Leffman
Taffy Maginnis
Malcolm Maginnis

ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
Kay Files - Chair
Melanie Aymami
Clara Marion
Carolyn Pierce
Joy Thompson
Lee Wimberly

NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Kenneth Faherty
Donna Heier
Ken Richard

ALVIN AWARD WINNERS

Best Poster Design: John Carambat for Mousetrap
Best Set Design: John Carambat for Mousetrap
Best Costume Design: Kay Files for Mousetrap
Best Lighting Design: Mike Sibley for Mousetrap
Best Sound Design: Randy Perkins for Mousetrap
Best Supporting Actress: Barbara Chitwood for Lost in Yonkers
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Jahncke for Arsenic and Old Lace
Best Leading Actress: Krista Schafer for Proof
Best Leading Actor: Ladson Poole for Mousetrap
Best Show: Mousetrap (Kay Files - Director)

LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT AWARDS

In Grateful Appreciation of a Lifetime of Selfless Service and
Devotion to Playmakers Theater and the Arts in St. Tammany Parish.
Randy Perkins, President 2008-2009, Playmakers Theater

Donna Heier
Judy Krogsgard
Russ Krogsgard
Betty Lancaster
Ray Perer
Ronnie Pogue

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ALVIN AWARDS

David McDonnel (Pippin) sang from Pippin, the 2008-2009 summer
musical, directed by Jennifer Patterson

Kate Zenor sang "Beauty and the Beast" representing Frank Levy's
Summer Children's Theater Camp

Russ and Judy Krogsgard sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" in honor of the
rebuild after Hurricane Katrina

Carrie Helm sang "Memory" from Cats, which will be the summer musical
for 2009-2010 season, directed by Lynn and Randy Perkins

SHOWS FOR 2008 - 2009 SEASON

Lost in Yonkers directed by Mark Leonard
Arsenic and Old Lace directed by Weston Twardowski
Mousetrap directed by Kay Files
Proof directed by Larry Gray
Pippin directed by Jennifer Patterson

SHOWS FOR 2009 - 2010 SEASON

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf - directed by Mark Leonard
On Golden Pond - directed by Frank Levy
Sylvia- directed by Kay Files
Over the River and Through the Woods - directed by Anne Pourciau
Cats - directed by Lynn and Randy Perkins

August 27, 2008

To all members:

We have much to be proud of at the close of our 53rd season at Playmakers.  Our high quality productions pleased our audiences as evidenced by the ticket sales that helped make 2008 the best year financially that Playmakers has had since 1997.

Our Board Members and others have completed work that is equally impressive. The road to Playmakers has been paved, which is the fruit of work that was started ten years ago. The stage and floor that was uneven and rotted underneath has been replaced. Insulation is being put in the rafters to help with the heating and cooling.  A new lighting system and sound system have been installed. The area across from the theater has been prepped for parking.  And, most recently, new carpet has been installed.  I thank all of those involved for their hard work and I am proud of the improvements that have been accomplished.

However, we are still faced with many challenges.  Many other needs still exist, including: the addition of green room and storage space, handicapped parking, cooling and heating in the front lobby and the sound booth, making Playmakers eco-friendly (“green”) and updating restrooms.  We must strive to take on these challenges and continue to improve Playmakers.  As President this year, I ask that you, as a member, not just come and see a show - but become active in your community theater. You have many talents that can be put to use in making our theater the best it can be.  Please call me at 985-867-8889 if you would like to help us, or sign-up online at www.playmakersinc.org.  With your help, Playmakers will continue supplying a place that you and your family can call “home.”   Remember – Playmakers is your theater.

We have a great 54th season scheduled and we are looking forward to spending time with each and every one of you.

Randy Perkins

In Memoriam

Claire Jepsen, a long-time, active member of Playmakers has passed away. Read her obituary.

Leicester "Les" Landon, Playmakers Founder, has passed away.
Read his obituary.

Get into the Act!

It’s you! Volunteers, Aspiring Actors and Artists who donate valuable time and talents, as well as Patrons, Business Patrons, Sponsors and Advertisers who donate money and in-kind services who have helped Playmakers produce quality live entertainment to our community at an affordable admission for over 50 years.

2007 Alvin Awards

Favorite Costumes - Melanie Burck for "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Set - Melanie Burck for "Babes in Toyland", Anne Pourciau for "Crimes of the Heart"
Favorite Poster - John Carambat for "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Lighting - Randy Perkins, "Crimes of the Heart" and Carson Carmody, "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Supporting Actor - Ladson Poole, "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Supporting Actress - Jill Lane, "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Actor - Merrill Laurent, "Babes in Toyland" and the ensemble cast - Shawn Curry, Brandon Cubas, and Jacob Zeringue. "The Cmplt Wrks of Wm. Shkspr, Abridged"
Favorite Actress - Samantha Schott, "Babes in Toyland"
Favorite Play, "Babes in Toyland", directed by Judy Krogsgard
President's Award - Betty Lancaster and Donna Heier

See Playmakers PHOTOS:
http://www.playmakers.fototime.com 

Post-Katrina Photos
See the damage and the repairs.

Working Hard at Playmaking
Inside Northside, March/April Edition
Read the article

Playbarn Update -- Clean-up Day on Jan. 7
12/30/05

The theater is in better shape than it has been in years....all of the storm damage repaired, new shingle roof, exterior completely repainted, new painted storage sheds, new fence and gate, new bar in lobby, along with new paint and tile flooring in lobby. Russell has done a fabulous job of coordinating this rebuild. The combination of his know-how and his contacts in construction have proved invaluable for this amazing job, and Russ deserves our deepest gratitude...Hats off to you, Russ!!

Now we need to pitch in with a group "clean-up/ put away" day, Saturday, Jan. 7. Russ Krogsgard will be at Playmakers at 8:00am to coordinate the job, and we ask you to please donate some of your day to helping out. Any time you can give will be much appreciated, even if it's only 2 hours.
Thank you all for your support and help!

Kay Files

Playmakers Rebuilds and Celebrates 50th

After massive damage to the Covington Playmakers Theater Barn due to Hurricane Katrina, America's 13th longest continuously performing theater company is at last beginning its 50th season. Repairs and renovations are expected to be completed by mid-January, with performance dates in the better-than-new facility to run for two weeks from January 19 through January 29, including special daytime performances for school groups and a regular array of evening shows as well as two Sunday matinees. Fittingly, the theater's rebirth will be celebrated by a show dedicated to the fifty-year story of the building itself. The show is titled The Barn, A Tribute to 50 Years at Playmakers.
Read more...

Post Hurricane Report
Repair, Rebuild, Renew

During the past 50 years Covington's Playmakers Theater has withstood lightening, floods, fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes, and we are continuing to move forward "After Katrina." The theater building sustained a fair amount of damage as trees fell all around the property. Repair work has already begun, and we are taking this time to completely rewire and update the lighting system, as well as renovate the lobby. We will close our doors for an estimated two months. However, in December, we plan to reopen the new and improved theater with a gala salute to the first 50 years of Playmakers. The show will include memorable moments from the past, entertainment of all types, with lots of music and comedy. Frank Levy, our historian, is writing the script.

Our spring schedule will remain the same as announced:
The Foreigner, March, and Barefoot In the Park, May, with a new inclusion, Alice In Wonderland, June. The July musical is Oliver.

• The Nerd
• Bell, Book and Candle
• Lend Me a Tenor
• Chapter Two
• Jekyll and Hyde

See the Season Brochure for more information about membership, holiday shows, and summer camps.

• Buy Season Tickets ONLINE
• Program Ads
• Buy Playmakers Show Shirts & Gifts
• SEE PHOTOS!

• Directions to the theater
• Ticket Reservations:
  985-893-1671