Established in 1938

The Oswego Players, Inc., is one of the oldest continuously operating community theater organizations in the country. Formed by a group of Oswego residents interested in presenting theater productions in Oswego, the organization staged its productions in Robinson Auditorium in the old high school and other venues where a play could be staged.

In 1963 the group obtained a lease for Building No. 31 in the Fort Ontario Park complex that would ultimately house the Oswego Civic Arts Center and on March 20, 1964, the Oswego Players was granted a Provisional Charter by the New York State Board of Regents for the purposes: “to advance cultural activities of the community through theatrical productions and through stimulating interest and participation in activities relating to the drama; to render assistance, advice, and service, to other community organizations and individuals in drama-oriented projects; and to sponsor an education program of Children’s Theater including periods of instruction for children, and presentations by and for children.”

Over the years the Oswego Players, Inc. has continued to fulfill its charter obligations and on April 25, 1969 was granted an Absolute Charter by the Board of Regents. Now operating out of the Frances Marion Brown Theater in the Civic Arts Center, the Oswego Players, Inc. stages six major productions a year, all with volunteer participation and no paid staff. The Players hold theater classes for youth in the area and each year awards two scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Oswego County pursuing higher education in the broad fields of theater and the fine arts.

The group is a founding member of the Theater Association of New York State and has been awarded its prestigious Mary Eva Duthie Award as the Most Outstanding Community Theater in the state.