HISTORY

Milton Players Theatre Group (MPTG) was formed in the Spring of 1979 by 14 enthusiastic people, responding to an ad in the local newspaper. Later, in November, the first production appeared on stage called, "Goodnight, Mrs. Puffin".

Over the years, the Milton Players Theatre Group has performed in E.C. Drury High School, the Halton Centennial Manor, the Optimist Club, St. Paul's United Church and the Roxy Theatre. It was during performances at the Halton Hills Place in 1984 that an annual dinner theatre evening was added to one of the shows. By 1987, MPTG was presenting three plays per season. The location by this time was the Masonic Temple on Hwy. 25. In 1995 another dinner theatre evening was added for a second production.

Once the move to the Milton Seniors' Activity Centre took place, the show program included dinner theatre for Friday and Saturday nights of each show. Currently, we still produce three shows a season - October, February, May. The Friday night performances now offers complimentary sandwiches with a cash bar available, the Saturdays are still dinner theatre evenings and in the 2004-2005 season we added a Sunday Matinee.

Over the years, rehearsals were also in a variety of places - Grace Anglican Church, Papa Nick's Restaurant, Rotary Park, and occasionally a member's basement. Costumes and props were stored in members' homes with large items such as the set pieces stored at the Tonelli Arena on Laurier Avenue. Set building often took place in the members' garages with the pieces assembled at the performance location. An old barn north of Milton was rented for storage and set building in 1991, but was abandoned due to the dampness.

Luck seemed to change in 1992 when an industrial unit was found. This current home - The Space - holds ample space for the storage of costumes, props, furniture, sound and lighting equipment plus plenty of room for set building. This location is also used for rehearsals and various meetings.