[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE DEER PARK ART PARK PLAYERS AND THE TEXAS NON-PROFIT 
                       THEATRE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2018

  Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I seek to recognize the Deer Park Art Park 
Players on the occasion of the Texas Non-Profit Theatre Annual 
Conference. The City of Deer Park Parks and Recreation Department, The 
Art Park Players, and The Friends of the Art Park Players are hosting 
the conference on Thursday, March 15th. Theatre companies from across 
the State of Texas will be in attendance.
   In early 1979, a small group of Deer Park residents, led by Jeff 
Smith and Jean Riggs, met at the Deer Park Community Center to form a 
script-reading club. Later that year, they staged their very first 
production, Once Upon a Mattress, at Deer Park High School's Gaines 
Mason Auditorium. The City of Deer Park recognized the community's love 
of theatrical arts and hired Sue Fenley Meyers as the full-time 
Artistic Managing Director of the ``Not-Yet-Named-Theatre Company.'' 
The theatre officially became The Art Park Players in 1980. In December 
1986, the current theater facility was opened by the city. Longtime 
theatre performer, Junior Art Park Player director, and volunteer, 
Susan Mele, was named director in April 2004 following Meyer's 
retirement.
   After nearly four decades, The Art Park Players have grown in number 
and spirit. Their success relies heavily on their staff, families, and 
more than one hundred volunteers. With four mainstage productions, 
concerts, and youth productions, The Art Park Players engage over 
12,000 patrons each season, enriching the Deer Park community 
artistically and financially. The Art Park Players hold the distinction 
of being the only year-round dinner theatre in the Greater Houston area 
and is truly one-of-a-kind in the State of Texas.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize the Deer Park Art 
Park Players.

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