Editor, Gazette-Journal:

"Is anybody there? Does anybody care?" These are the opening lines of a song from the musical, "1776," which the Court House Players presented in Gloucester in 2007. After 31 years, 95 productions, 33 CHP-sponsored Missoula Children’s Theatre summer camp programs, three Gloucester Ghost Walks, numerous Christmas parades and tree lightings, and countless volunteer hours to our community, I find myself asking if anyone really cares.

My family has been involved with CHP since 1989. Court House Players has brought so much joy and so many amazing people into our lives that it would be hard to imagine life without it. However, the harsh reality is that an all-volunteer organization can’t continue to thrive without community support. I am constantly asked," When are you going to build a theater?" All I can say is, "With what?" All the money we make on a show goes into putting on the next one.

It costs roughly $10,000 up front to produce a major musical. The cost of Missoula Children’s Theatre has risen to over $11,000 for three camps serving over 180 children each summer. Again, this money must be paid out in advance. Court House Players offers these camps as a service to the children of Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties. Unfortunately, it has become cost-prohibitive.

The members of CHP offer their time and multiple talents to afford the citizens of the tri-county area the opportunity to experience and to participate in the magic of live theater. We lend our costumes, props and set pieces to our public schools and other community organizations. We participate in local events and lend our expertise whenever asked. The Court House Players has touched the lives of many over the last 31 years. We love what we do. But without financial support, we may not be able to continue doing it. Is anybody there? Does anybody care?

If you’d like to learn more about us, visit our website at http://www.courthouseplayers.org

Kitty Witty

Hayes, Va.

Director, CHP