Veale Creek Players Continue Theatre Renovations

The first play performed at the Veale Creek Theatre was Count Dracula, performed in 1979 by the newly named Veale Creek Players. The troupe had been performing mostly at the Washington High School Auditorium as the Washington Civic Players before the opportunity for a theatre of their own presented itself.

   The Veale Creek Theatre started out as Lett School, a one-room school-house built in about 1880 for students in first through eighth grade. When the decision was made to close the school in the early 1960's, it was purchased by Jerry Young, a local contractor who used the facility for storage.

   Eventually the Youngs offered the use of the building to the performers, including a ramp and sidewalks. The Daviess County Community Foundation has granted more than $31,300 to help with improvements to the building and grounds. With the Foundations' support, the Veale Creek Players have been able to construct a storage building for scenery and other reusable items, upgrade the theatre's lighting system, replace the building's sidings, purchase an exterior door for the restroom area, and replace carpet, flooring, ceiling tile, and insulation.

   In past years, the Foundation funded repairs and remodeling of the theatre's interior.

   "Thanks to support from the Foundation, we can focus on the things we do well - providing live theatre and helping educate students about music and drama," said Dean Dorrell, treasurer for the Veale Creek Players. "Grants from the Foundation have been a real blessing to us."

   The Veale Creek Theatre is also supported by the Dorothy T. Myers Fund, created by Myers to provide perpetual support to the theatre through the foundation. The Players produce and perform about five shows each year.