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 seats 250 patrons comfortably.  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 internship program, Second 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 15 interns 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 finish paying off our truck named Mae West. Why is it important for us to have this truck? At Peterborough Players, we use the truck in every aspect of our work, using it to transport lumber, scenic pieces, cast, and so much more. We have been renting a truck for the last few years; owning our truck will help us save so much money! Every cent helps, and we are so grateful to our amazing community!

Our 2025 Summer Season is uplifting and filled with laughter, mystery, romance, and music.  We hope we can look forward to seeing you in the barn for one or more of our shows!  Boeing Boeing  (June 18th - 29th), Dial M For Murder (July 2rd - 13th), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (July 16th - 27th), Native Gardens (July 30st - August 10th) and Hay Fever (August 13th - 24th).

Who We Are

Peterborough Players is a New Hampshire cultural treasure; an 88-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 and a three-play winter season, 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 to a 250 seat theatre while deliberately retaining its historic charm. The Players is an economic cornerstone in the region drawing audiences from all over the Monadnock Region, from across 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 Second Company of interns and 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 who 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.”