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KidsPlay began in 1997 as the Old National Road Junior Players (ONRJrP), the children’s theatre branch of the Old National Road Players. It’s first show, “A Rhyme in Time Save Nine” clocked in at 17 minutes long. The ONRJrP rehearsed and performed at Trinity Park Church. In 2002, after a move to Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church, the ONRJrP broke away to form KidsPlay (KP), a 501©3, stand-alone children’s theatre not sponsored by an adult group. KidsPlay settled into a routine of two shows a year – one in the fall and one in the spring – working with kids in the 3rd through 8th grades. 

 

In 2007, the opportunity to perform at the newly-renovated H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts in the heart of historic downtown Greenfield was instrumental to the growth of the program and its audience size. Since, “Hospital,” KP’s first production at the Ricks, attendance regularly averages between 125 and 175, proving that KP’s entertainment value extends beyond parents and grandparents of the young actors.

 

In the fall of 2009, KidsPlay moved its rehearsal space into the basement of the Memorial Building – lovingly dubbed “The Dungeon” – in downtown Greenfield. After being shut down for two years during COVID, KidsPlay has bounced back to continue providing affordable, family-friendly entertainment for Hancock County and the surrounding areas.

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The mission of KidsPlay, Inc. is to nurture self-confidence, cooperation and responsibility in children by providing a quality, community theatre experience, focusing on small-cast productions with attention to education in dramatic skills and theatre arts.