WHO WE ARE
Carmel Community Players is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1993. CCP remains the oldest and longest running community theatre in Carmel, IN, having staged nearly 200 plays and musicals, and over 30 cabarets in nearly 3 decades.
CCP is currently managed by a board of directors consisting of 8-15 members. Current board members collectively hold more than 200 years of professional and community theatre experience. CCP is currently part of the Encore Association (Indianapolis), a collection of community theatres in Central Indiana, recognizing theatrical excellence. Through the association, we have received several nominations and awards in theatrical excellence and earned many scholarships for youth participants.
We believe every individual should have access to theatre, art, and culture in their daily lives. We strive to provide a medium between performance enthusiasts and the artists themselves. Our diverse, friendly team at Carmel Community Players is interested in learning about what each of our visitors want to discover - whether they are young, old, big or small - let's get to know each other!
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide exceptional, affordable live entertainment, that expands and develops creative, cultural, and educational opportunities within the community.
OUR STORY
Established in 1993, Carmel Community Players remains the oldest operating community theatre in Carmel, IN. The first CCP production, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, premiered in August 1993 at Carmel Middle School. From 1993 - 2009, we have staged productions all over Carmel in nearly a dozen venues; schools, churches, and frequent outdoor performances at the Carmel Civic Gazebo and Saint Vincent’s Living Nativity.
On August 15, 2008, CCP signed a lease at Clay Terrace and converted a store front into a theatre. Countless hours of volunteer work went into constructing a stage, installing lighting and sound and concessions equipment, equipping dressing rooms, painting, and polishing – all to prepare a new 120 seat Carmel Community Playhouse. CCP performed at Clay Terrace for more than 9 seasons, during which time patronage increased by more than 75%.
In addition to CCP performances, the Carmel Community Playhouse served as a venue for a variety of events including cabarets, concerts, recitals, improv comedy, magic shows, acting classes, art exhibits, wedding parties, and cultural meetings. It served as a temporary home for the Actors Theatre of Indiana (ATI), where they performed most of their 2010 season.
The Clay Terrace lease was cancelled in 2018, as new management at Clay Terrace changed priorities.
Since then, Carmel Community Players has partnered with and performed at a variety of local venues, including The Cat, the Switch Theatre at the Ji Eun Lee Music Academy, Carmel Friends Church, and the Ivy Tech Noblesville Auditorium. In 2021, CCP launched a Capital Campaign to raise funds to search for and secure a new home. We remain committed to securing a permanent space with a larger stage, higher ceilings, ample rehearsal space, and increased seating capacity.
