National Players
The National Players is the longest-running classical touring company in the United States.
Classical Touring Company
After 70 consecutive seasons of touring, this acting company has given approximately 6,600 performances and workshops on plays by
History
National Players was founded in 1949 by
How Players Works
A nationwide search of graduates of college and university theater programs leads to the casting of members of the touring company. In the tradition of traveling players, the troupe arrives a few hours before the scheduled performance to prepare the stage: raise the set, hang and focus the lights, check sound equipment and props, and arrange dressing rooms, before donning costumes and make-up. When the final curtain falls, they do everything in reverse.
The Current Tour
National Players is now in its 70th year of touring. This year's productions are
Tour 69:
Tour 68:
Tour 67:
Tour 66:
Tour 65:
Credits
The National Players have received accolades from Walter Kerr, drama critic emeritus of The New York Times; Patrick Hayes, founder and managing director of the Washington Performing Arts Society; and the late Helen Hayes. Players' alumni include John Heard, Laurence Luckinbill, Gino Conforti, John Slattery, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Stan Wojewodski (former Dean of the Yale School of Drama) and David Richards (drama critic for the New York Times). Most recently, National Players received special recognition from The Shakespeare Guild, presenter of The Golden Quill, the Sir John Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts.