Who We Are
The Hope Players is the local community theater troupe that works in line with the charity portion of The Hope for Change Foundation, both battling breast cancer awareness together. The proceeds from each production go directly toward the cause. Since HFC’s inception in 2003, thousands have enjoyed evenings at the theater in support of breast cancer research and you can too!
History
In the winter of 1997, three high school friends decided to use their theatrical talents to give back to their community. Anthony Casella, Barbara Smith, and Jason Summers put together an evening of one act comedies to raise money for H.O.P.E. Community Services in New Rochelle. “Call Us Crazy” raised $1,000 and inspired the trio to do it again that summer.
For years after that, the Hope Players would go on to produce revue-style shows with high school and college students every summer. With funny short plays, lively song and dance numbers, and homemade sets and costumes, the Hope Players productions were a testament to what can be done when all involved care about a cause.
As the shows grew, so too did expectations and goals. In 2003, the Hope Players inspired the creation of a new not-for-profit organization, The Hope For Change Foundation. Now raising money for breast cancer research, the Hope Players expanded beyond just an annual summer production. Soon, shows were being produced in the winter and spring too.
The Hope Players have continued to grow. Full length musicals like Grease, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, and Godspell, an annual haunted hayride called Spooktoberfest, and dozens of concerts, revues, and event appearances have all been produced by this ever-trailblazing organization.
In the future, the Hope Players will continue to entertain and inspire while also making the world a better place.
