About Us
Mission
The Non-Stop Players mission is to be an all-inclusive musical theatrical organization. This platform is designed to build collaborative relationships that span age, gender, and culture. Our mission is to inspire and engage audiences and our community through our artistic expression of humanity.
Vision
Our theatrical company will continue to provide a positive environment for veteran actors as well as those who are just beginning to understand the magic of theater. It is our desire to continue to teach aspiring thespians, expand their repertoire and their theatrical minds, fostering an awareness of the interplay of language and movement. We intend to explore new theatrical works as well as honor musical classics as we enhance our community connection with quality entertainment.
Values Statement
Non-Stop Players will:
Be welcomed to engage in various aspects of producing musicals including sets, lights, props, and costume design.
Encourage participants to become leaders by giving them opportunities to direct and/or choreograph when there is a desire to do so.
Be more inclusive with audience members by sharing educational aspects of a musical and/or the rehearsal process in the form of announcements at the beginning of each show.
Provide appropriate and occasional social events outside of rehearsal and performance schedules to build friendships beyond the theatrical setting.
Non-Stop Players will:
Be welcomed to engage in various aspects of producing musicals including sets, lights, props, and costume design.
Encourage participants to become leaders by giving them opportunities to direct and/or choreograph when there is a desire to do so.
Be more inclusive with audience members by sharing educational aspects of a musical and/or the rehearsal process in the form of announcements at the beginning of each show.
Provide appropriate and occasional social events outside of rehearsal and performance schedules to build friendships beyond the theatrical setting.
History
The Non-Stop Players Theatrical Company was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, seven young people, their families, and a small production team of director, vocal director and choreographer bonded over what started as a theater performance of “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown.” The pandemic had stopped all local productions, but we were determined to beat the odds and find a way to safely create and perform. It didn’t really matter to us how many people would actually see our work. It was more important to support one another, lean into our passion, and work on a musical theater project.
During the summer of 2020 we ended up performing “Charlie Brown” for cast members’ families. Our community was thirsty for fun entertainment during tough times, and word spread that we had a show to share for free. We were subsequently invited to perform outside for neighbors, in a city park for kids, at a downtown mall, on a pedestrian-only city street, and for citizens who had lost their homes in a terrible wildfire. Cast members, families, and our production team all knew how special and important it was to keep doing what we were doing — despite the continued pandemic. Thus, our name, The Non-Stop Players, was born.
Our company quickly expanded to 12 high school students for the production of “Singin’ in the Rain.” We soon realized that the experiences of creating and performing had far-reaching and positive impacts for our participants during a rather bleak time in our country’s history. Again, we only performed for families and neighbors due to the continued pandemic situation. During our third year, we continued to expand in as safe an environment as we could muster. With a continued strong desire to rehearse and perform our love of musical theater, our next production was “Anastasia,” and our cast size expanded to 19. Due to the pandemic and unexpected Covid challenges among our cast, it took us 10 months to finally present our wonderful production to a much larger and appreciative audience. We certainly lived up to our name of being true Non-Stop Players.
During this time, cast members also broadened their relationship beyond the stage experience. A continued effort to deepen friendships has been strong. Masks on, we have been non-stop in cast celebrations related to birthday or personal achievements outside our musicals. Movie nights, game nights, escape room adventures, trips out of town were happening. Creating original murder mysteries became a regular event complete with costumes, props, and special effects.
The desire for our current teens is to be welcoming, inclusive, and encouraging for more teens to participate in continued meaningful productions and building of friendships on and off the stage.
Obviously, there is a need in our community for this kind of theater repertory group.
During the past three years these young people developed confidence, built friendships that span age, gender, and culture, and gained a greater sense of trust in their abilities to become leaders and mentors both in the theater and broader communities.
We’re so glad you are here and enjoying our continued efforts to do what we love!
Karen K. Olsen
Executive/Artistic Director
The Non-Stop Players
PO Box 5887
Eugene, OR 97405