The Aggie Players, the oldest continuously active theatre group in Brazos Valley, is the production company of the Texas A&M University Department of Performance Studies. While the Department of Performance Studies is a new addition to the Aggie family, "Aggie players" have been around a long time.

The first theatrical activity on record here at Texas A&M was the organization of a "College Dramatic Society" on October 18, 1893, under the management of Professor William Bledsoe Philpott ('84). For the next fifty-four years theatre production at the A. and M. College of Texas was fairly sporadic, with theatre organizations emerging and disappearing frequently. Plays were produced by such organizations as: "The Senior Class," the Austin Literacy Society, the debate club, the "Illylians," the A. and M. College Dramatic Club, the Campus Theatre Club, various combinations of campus/community groups and, finally, the Cadet Players. It was not until 1946 that full-scale continuous theatre work began at Texas A&M.

On January 22, 1946, forty-five Aggies, led by Professor F. L. Hood of the Department of English, met to discuss "theatre in Aggieland" and the formation of the Aggie Players was the result. And, on March 26, with Professor Hood directing, the Aggie Players proudly presented their inaugural production--You Can't Take It With You, which was presented in the Assembly Hall (general admission-- 35 cents; reserved seats--50 cents).

Since then we have presented over 250 main stage plays and musicals and hundreds of studio productions in many places including the old Assembly Hall, Guion Hall, the Memorial Student Center, Sbisa Mess Hall, G. Rollie White Coliseum, almost every public school in Bryan and College Station, Stage Center Theatre, the Zachry Engineering Center, Manor East Mall, the Bryan Civic auditorium, and all three theatres in the Rudder Complex. These plays were performed by hundreds of Aggie for thousands of spectators. This production is part of our fifty-fifth season.

The Aggie Players are dedicated to the promotion, development, production and appreciation of theatre through the complete integration of teaching, creative work and research, and service. We prepare theatre artists and theatre teachers; provide enriching experiences for students interested avocationally in theatre and provide quality theatre to the University and the community it serves. Participation in the Aggie Players is open to all University students regardless of academic major, vocational interests and previous experience. Enriching activities are available to all students interested in acting, directing, dancing, singing, and scenic, lighting, sound, property and costume design and construction.

For more information about the Aggie Players phone (979) 845-2621.