The Peacock Players

Member
Nashua Arts and Humanities Coalition

History

The Peacock Players was founded by Rita Harden in 1974 and originally called the Young Area Players. The name was changed to the Peacock Players in 1981, Harden's motto being, "Think positive and always do your best. Be as proud as a peacock."

Harden retired from the Peacock Players in 1985. Rita sought to connect the Peacock Players with the American Stage Festival to help the longevity of both organizations. The American Stage Festival included the Peacock Players as part of its education program. There the group stayed until the summer of 2003, when ASF, burdened by financial woes, decided to shut its doors.

Faced with losing what many considered one of Nashua's shining jewels, a group of parents rallied together and formed The Peacock Players as a non-profit organization in August 2002.

Each season (Sept.-May), The Peacock Players stages six shows. Generally, they run in October, November, December, February, March and May. In the summer of 2003, A summer family show was added to the mix, providing a chance for some of the parents to appear on stage with their talented offspring.

Peacock also provides a range of theater classes throughout the school year from the KinderDrama series for the very young to Teen Scenes for the older set and a newly added Acting for Adults. (We found those parents needed some help!) Each summer, two three-week theater day camps are held and at the conclusion of each session, the students show their stuff on stage for their parents and admirers.

Peacock aptly filled the void left when ASF shut its doors. The 14 Court Street Theater, where Peacock operates has thrived. A Christmas Carol, the first Christmas season show presented by the Peacock Players, not only was a success, but has raised $2,600 for The Telegraph's Santa Fund the past two years. In addition, numerous canned goods and staples were collected during the production of Les Miserables (School Edition), to help replenish Nashua food banks.

The Peacocks participate freely in community events whenever possible, performing for audiences at the Nashua Country Fair, Nashua Public Library, the Milford Pumpkinfest and the Nashua Holiday Stroll, to name a few.

We believe that the Peacock Players has not only proved to be a viable theater organization, but a valued member of the Nashua community at large.