CENTER STAGE PRODUCTIONS
A Christmas Carol - A Live Radio Play
Park Avenue Players - December 2023 - Photo by KS Brooks
A Brief History of Center Stage Productions
The story of Center Stage Productions began in 1987 when Liz Riley, longtime editor of The Independent newspaper and a passionate advocate for community theater in Chewelah, founded the company under its original name - Park Avenue Players. Liz wrote and directed nearly all of the troupe’s productions—most of them spirited melodramas filled with humor, heart, and local flavor.
One of the group’s earliest performances, A Blossom Fell (or Heaven Help the Working Girl), debuted in December 1988 under Liz’s direction. From then on, she continued to write and direct two plays each year until her passing in 2005. Her recruitment style was famously personal—many cast members recall getting a call from Liz herself saying, “We’re having a read-through on Thursday. I have a part for you.”
In its early days, the troupe performed at the American Legion Hall, later moving to the Chewelah Civic Center, which became their home for many years. The December productions often featured dinner theatre performances benefiting local charities—Friday and Saturday shows raised funds for the Soroptimist organization, while Sunday dessert matinees supported the Tiny Tim organization, a Chewelah-based charity helping families with children needing medical care.
After several years, the group shifted from holiday dinner theatre to Memorial Day weekend performances, and for a time produced just one weekend of shows. That changed in May 2010, when the cast of Dearly Departed, directed by Jessica McLaughlin-Sety, expanded the run to six shows over two weekends—a tradition that continues today.
For many years, Park Avenue Players mounted two annual productions: one over Memorial Day weekend and another in mid-winter. In 2012, the schedule was refined once more, moving the winter production to January.
Now as Center Stage Productions, we remain a non-profit, all-volunteer theater ensemble dedicated to producing quality live performances for audiences of all ages. Whether you want to act, help backstage, or simply enjoy the show, there’s a place for you in our troupe of merry players. No experience necessary—just a love of laughter, storytelling, and community.
One of the group’s earliest performances, A Blossom Fell (or Heaven Help the Working Girl), debuted in December 1988 under Liz’s direction. From then on, she continued to write and direct two plays each year until her passing in 2005. Her recruitment style was famously personal—many cast members recall getting a call from Liz herself saying, “We’re having a read-through on Thursday. I have a part for you.”
In its early days, the troupe performed at the American Legion Hall, later moving to the Chewelah Civic Center, which became their home for many years. The December productions often featured dinner theatre performances benefiting local charities—Friday and Saturday shows raised funds for the Soroptimist organization, while Sunday dessert matinees supported the Tiny Tim organization, a Chewelah-based charity helping families with children needing medical care.
After several years, the group shifted from holiday dinner theatre to Memorial Day weekend performances, and for a time produced just one weekend of shows. That changed in May 2010, when the cast of Dearly Departed, directed by Jessica McLaughlin-Sety, expanded the run to six shows over two weekends—a tradition that continues today.
For many years, Park Avenue Players mounted two annual productions: one over Memorial Day weekend and another in mid-winter. In 2012, the schedule was refined once more, moving the winter production to January.
Now as Center Stage Productions, we remain a non-profit, all-volunteer theater ensemble dedicated to producing quality live performances for audiences of all ages. Whether you want to act, help backstage, or simply enjoy the show, there’s a place for you in our troupe of merry players. No experience necessary—just a love of laughter, storytelling, and community.