[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF LANSING CIVIC PLAYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 30, 2004

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
anniversary of the Lansing Civic Players, a community theater in 
Lansing, Michigan, as 2004 marks their 75th year of continuous 
operation.
  After three-quarters of a century enduring trials and tribulations, 
the Lansing Civic Players still continues to achieve the goal they set 
out for: To provide the people in the Lansing area with good community 
theatre.
  In the fall of 1929, two amateur theater productions were established 
in the Lansing area: The Players Guild, started by Elva Schell and the 
Civic Theatre, created by August Fischer. In October 1929, the two 
groups decided to join resources, and the Lansing Civic Players Guild 
was born.
  The first years were a struggle for the group. The members of the 
Lansing Civic Players Guild performed all necessary functions. They 
were the actors, the ticket salesmen, and the set builders. They did it 
all. They had very little money, but they had a determination to bring 
quality theater to the Lansing area. The group began work on their 
first play, ``The Trial of Mary Duggan.'' It was at this time the 
royalties for the show were pulled, and the Lansing Civic Players Guild 
was left without a play. But as they say in show business, the show 
must go on. The group rushed to find a new production, and on May 24, 
1930, they performed ``Captain AppleJack.'' This performance had over 
1,000 people in attendance, including the Governor of the State of 
Michigan, and is still a record setting attendance to this day for the 
theater.
  Today, the group operates their business, the building, rehearsals, 
and costume shop out of a fire hall which they acquired in June, 1977. 
The Lansing Civic Players have performed at three area high schools 
since inception, and currently perform at the Hannah Community Center. 
They have received awards for longevity from the Community Theater 
Association of Michigan as well as the Lansing City Council.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 75th 
anniversary of the Lansing Civic Players and the impact they have made 
on mid-Michigan.

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