The entire history of the Glasgow Little Theatre (1951-1954), Far Off Broadway Players (1981-1993), and New Far Off Broadway Players (2006-Present) amateur theatre group is now available for all to enjoy online at www.faroffbroadwayplayers.org .  John Hitchcock, actor, film historian and Far Off Broadway Players Webmaster has assembled a more complete and accurate virtual depiction of the groups’ history than has ever existed. He  used the original scrapbook created and maintained by Emily “Sib” Grinstead as a basis and painstakingly filled in blanks through detective work and cross-referencing to verify data as well as display articles, memorabilia, playbills and photos.

Shortly after joining FOBP for his debut role as “Herb” in the 2008 production of Lying in State, John Hitchcock volunteered to re-establish the dormant website that had been started in 2006 and abandoned a year later.

Scrapbooks are fascinating windows of history but their static format makes them difficult to share or even to see details clearly on the rare occasions they are on public display.  John had a vision of combining a virtual scrapbook as well as up-to-date information about the group’s and individual members’ activities in a deceptively simple, user friendly website. His passion for the performing arts in general, and love for acting in particular fueled a desire to depict a complete and accurate portrayal of the group’s history. John taught himself website skills and re-created the user friendly website, www.faroffbroadwayplayers.org with all the materials then available plus additions from each subsequent show and launched the site as a culmination of his vision.

All items from the original scrapbook have been painstakingly scanned, adjusted and color adjusted where appropriate for ease of viewing enlarged versions on the website. The result makes it simple to examine different years in the lives of the groups, the productions mounted, and, most importantly, the people that were involved in the creation of it all throughout the years. Several of the original members including Chris Grinstead, Lawrence Jessie, Ethel Myers, Ethel Fant and Bobby Biggers are no longer living but can be remembered participating in the community theatre they helped create.

John was gratified to be able to correct errors that have inadvertently been perpetuated throughout the years through repetition in playbills and to now credit the proper individuals. The various venues where the Players have performed is also interesting to note from the premiere show, The Night of January 16th, at the Circuit Court Room in the Glasgow Court House in 1951 to the Plaza Theatre today. A surprising fact surfaced: In its early days and for several years, admission to shows was free with donations accepted.

One of the most popular features of the website is the Member News and Member News archive which displays webmaster scans of articles or photos regarding other activities and community involvement of current members of FOBP.

Ideally, John would like to be able to identify every source, photographer and person shown in photos and articles and welcomes assistance from the viewers.  He is still seeking original photographs, articles or any other ephemera suitable for scanning to expand documentation of the Players. He invites members and friends of the Players to participate in assisting with this ongoing web project.

Please visit www.faroffbroadwayplayers.org often to see what’s happening with this active Glasgow theatre group!

Submitted by Linda Hitchcock, Director “Murder By The Book”, Aunt Florence in “Leading Ladies” and 2009 FOBP Board Member