Our Story
"The Community Players had survived a depression, a terrible flood, and a war during the twenty years or more it has been organized. It seems to me that there must be something very worth while about such a type of art and the club that supports it."
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-Francis Golden, Founder
Our History
​In 1925, Miss Frances Golden (the youngest member of the famous Golden Family Vaudeville troupe from New Harmony) brought Evansville's first Community Theatre to our great city. Known originally as The Peoples Players and the Community Players, Miss Golden brought her vaudeville experience to Southern Indiana, ultimately founding what is now one of the oldest arts organizations in the state of Indiana. As Artistic Director for 17 years, Miss Golden gave to Evansville Civic Theatre a stability and sense of purpose that has shaped the character of community theatre in Evansville for what will soon be 100 years.
Evansville Civic Theatre Timeline
Francis Golden
1925 – The Community Players is founded by Frances Golden in conjunction with Mr. G.G. Epply of the Municipal Parks and Recreation Department.
First Program art for Civic
1956 – Name changed to Evansville Civic Theatre
First Performance
1927 – The Community Players open their first play at Bosse High School in April. Directed by Mr. Nelson Hunter.
Our New Home
1974 – ECT purchases the old Columbia Theatre on the corner of Fulton and Columbia, making its home there until 2023.
The Start of EPO
1931 – Beginning this year, a group of musicians, led by conductor August Bergman, performed the pit music for the Community Players. This group would later form the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.
Civic Hires Artistic Director
1977 - Dick Engbers becomes Civic’s first professional managing/artistic director
Civic Hosts 1st Festival
1979 – ECT hosts the Indiana Theatre League State Festival Competition
Award Night for Civic
1985 – In the month of May, Civic sweeps awards at International Theatre Festival in Dundalk, Ireland with the hit musical Cole
Lilian Gish
1986 – In December, silent screen star Lillian Gish attends Civic’s production and the American premiere of The Biograph Girl
1st NEXTWAVE Show
2006 – Our NEXTWAVE Educational Program is founded by Director Chris Tyner, with the inaugural performance of the play Acts of God
Underground Established
2007 – Directors Lynn Kinkade and Chris Tyner establish the Civic Underground, to produce edgier productions on smaller budgets. Underground productions were originally performed in the Civic Theatre Annex at Washington Square Mall.
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