Since the 5th century BC, when the ancient Greeks staged their tragedies in front of thousands, theater has entertained and educated the masses, reflecting society both as it is and as it might be. Today, in the 21st century, this ancient art form is alive and well and serving the same noble purposes - entertainment and education. However, over the past decade, we see disturbing trends that concern the accessibility of the theater to the citizens of our community-trends that affect who can see it, who can learn about it, and who can create and present it. This unfortunate situation is exacerbated by our proximity to New York City where $100 ticket prices are rapidly becoming the norm and fewer people can afford to attend Broadway shows with any regularity. Shrinking arts budgets in the public school systems are impeding the development of future audiences and practitioners. Finally, the gradual but steady retreat of the federal government from funding all but the most widely accepted art forms and groups, leaves emerging playwrights and other artists with few venues in which to test their voices.

What remedy can we offer to our community? The solution is to initiate a partnership establishing a community-based, artistically sound, permanent arts center, complete with a resident theater company that would present a broad spectrum of productions for all of our citizens at a price they can afford. This kind of collaboration provides a venue in which local artists can practice and learn all aspects of their craft (e.g. acting, directing, producing, designing, and writing). The partnership would be egalitarian enough to allow novices to learn and yet professional enough to achieve artistic excellence. Theater is a collaborative art. Community-based theater brings people together, fosters social and economic growth and a sense of local pride.

The South Street Players (SSP) is the ideal organization to create such a partnership. Our mission is to entertain, educate, engage, and inspire our audiences and our members by pursuing excellence in everything we do. We are a non-profit organization and have served the Western Monmouth County area for many years. Our reputation draws theatrical talent from all over New Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania and New York and capacity crowds from across Central New Jersey. We present a wide spectrum of plays that run the gamut from light-hearted comedies by Neil Simon to challenging dramas by Edward Albee. Our newly instituted children's theater gives local youth the opportunity to work with and learn from seasoned adult actors and technicians. Overwhelming community response to this addition has prompted us to initiate plans to offer acting workshops for youth and teens. Finally, we provide a venue for emerging playwrights by holding staged readings of works in progress and mounting full-scale productions of completed works.