Civic Players open lobby addition, new elevator

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

The new two-story lobby addition and elevator at Schenectady Civic Players on Church Street.

On Saturday evening, Schenectady Civic Players celebrated completion of its 90th season and grand opening of its new elevator and two-story lobby addition to its complex in Schenectady’s historic Stockade district.

Schenectady Civic is the region’s oldest continually operating community theater and one of the nation’s oldest.

In addition to making the playhouse more handicapped accessible, the overall theater is now fully air-conditioned, permitting addition of special events throughout the summer.

The celebration was attended by about 200 invited guests, includeding local business and government representatives, donors to The Players’ Centennial Campaign and Elevator Project, plus Playhouse members, volunteers and subscribers.

The event included a reception and elevator ribbon- cutting ceremony followed by an original show “Done It, Scene It,” which looked back on 90 years of Playhouse history, classic scenes, moments and memories.

A preliminary tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon was attended by Chamber of Commerce and city officials including Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy and Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.