History

In the spring of 1989, Brent Dugan, pastor of Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, hosted a meeting with members of the community who had background and experience in high school, amateur, and professional theater. He presented the idea of starting a local theater group.” That group became Community Theatre Players.
The first production was The Mouse that Roared in the fall of 1989.  It was performed in the Program Center of the Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, which was the former Woodland UP Church on Woodland and Dickson Avenues in Ben Avon.  The structure was destroyed by fire in 1991, but Community Theatre Players continued to thrive and produce plays, often two in a year.

Since 1989 Community Theatre Players has staged quality theatrical productions in Ben Avon. Currently we present one major production in the fall and several smaller events throughout the year. If you are interested in seeing our full list of shows and events, please visit our Past Productions page.

Community Theatre Players perform in the Fellowship Hall of the Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, 7501 Church Ave, Ben Avon, Pa. 15202.

 

In Loving Memory of Herbert M. McLuckie
1931-2020

Herb McLuckie was a founding member of Community Theatre Players.

You name a job or office with CTP and most likely Herb had probably done it. Herb has been on stage in numerous plays since the group started in 1989. His last performance was in Harvey in 2008. Until a few years ago, Herb and his wife of 61 years, Marge, were both involved in set strike days. His set building was critical, if not for his work on The Odd Couple in 2005 that show might not have gone on. Herb also worked backstage—if you ever heard a gunshot, that was probably him. For many years Marge and Herb pulled together the intermission refreshments almost single handedly They also lent a hand for the Friday night dinners at the church.

Having served on the board for many years, including stints as president, and historian, Herb and Marge both retired to the status of Directors Emeritus. This regal sounding title can barely begin to express how grateful CTP and its followers are to them for all their hard work. If not for the McLuckies, who knows where we would be today. We will miss him sorely.

Read Herb’s obituary at: https://www.mcdonald-linn.com/obituary/Herbert-McLuckie