Peterborough Players

“Enrich the human experience by producing quality live professional theater, developing and training theater artists, and offering New Hampshire a wide variety of performing arts events.” 

That is the mission of the Peterborough Players.  And that is exactly what we do.

For over 90 years, our audiences have enjoyed exceptional top-quality theatre in a one-of-a-kind location.  Journey down a scenic wooded street, turn down a windy country road, and discover at the bottom our beautiful barn theatre. Maintaining all the historic charm, with the original exposed wooden beams and floor, it comfortably seats 250 patrons. 0 Our exciting and diverse repertoire includes beloved stage and literary classics, the best of contemporary theater, daring world premieres, and celebrated musical theater. 

Over the last nine decades, our nationally acclaimed theatre has attracted and shaped incredibly talented performers, some of whom went on to become Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Obie award winners.   The Players are committed to shaping the future of theatre.  Our apprentice program, Core Company, draws young theatre artists from around the country.  They are given the opportunity to learn and grow across all aspects of theatre, from electrics to administration and from costumes to performance.  We currently have 12 apprentices here at The Players, who will spend the summer transforming, dreaming, and working.  

We strongly believe our theatre should be accessible to everyone, which is why we created Players Gives, a program that provides the gift of theatre to teachers, medical teams, and local non-profit organizations that are making our community healthier and happier. By offering pay-what-you-can nights and volunteer opportunities, we are increasing the ability for everyone to experience the theatre.

This year, we are raising money to Fund the Future of theatre!  Our Fund the Future campaign enables us to bring early-career artists and technicians to the barn for a summer of creativity and community.  They learn and grow next to seasoned professionals and build relationships that extend far beyond the summer and into their professional careers. Our Master Electrician,  Resident Properties Designer, Company Manager, and Assistant Costume Shop Manager began their careers here as apprentices and all credit the Players with starting their careers.  

Our 2026 Summer Season is all about discovery and we truly hope that you will discover a place in your heart to help us raise money for these incredible young people. 

Who We Are

Peterborough Players is a New Hampshire cultural treasure; an 93-year-old, fully professional Equity theatre in an unexpected setting -- a historic barn, 3 miles outside of downtown Peterborough, NH. Founded in 1933, the theatre offers a traditional summer season from June through September augmented by opera and theatre on screen, including The Met: Live in HD opera series and plays from London’s National Theatre.

For nine decades the Players has produced professional theatre at a level of quality that has gained the theatre a significant national reputation that has been recognized in major national publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. "American summer repertory theater at its most accomplished" – Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal.

Over the years, “the barn” has been renovated from a charming but rustic facility to a 250-seat theatre while deliberately retaining its historic charm. The Players is an economic cornerstone in the region, drawing audiences from across the Monadnock Region, New Hampshire, and beyond.

The theatre produces a challenging repertoire ranging from the classics of world literature to the best of contemporary theatre, world premieres, and, recently, an annual selection from the rich canon of the American Musical Theatre.

The Players fulfills its historic mission to develop and train young theatre artists through our Core Company of apprentices who spend the summer season learning all aspects of the craft. As part of our deep belief that the arts should be accessible to ALL, we have “Players Gives” outreach programs. Players Gives helps broaden accessibility to live theatre by providing reduced-cost tickets to specific groups working hard in the community who might not otherwise be able to attend, while also developing partnerships with organizations that do a lot of good in the community.

The mission of the Peterborough Players is to: “Enrich the human experience by producing quality live professional theatre, developing and training theatre artists, and offering New Hampshire a wide variety of performing arts events.”