Gaelic Park Players
The mission of the Gaelic Park Players is to promote, foster and develop Irish Theater. Our purpose in coming together to stage a play is to enrich social life,energize debate, encourage creativity and stimulate cultural cohesiveness within our community at Gaelic Park and within communities far and wide where the Irish dramatic tradition is revered, and ’tis great craic!
Join the Players
All are welcome to audition for The Gaelic Park Players. If you’re interested in joining our community, email us at gaelicparkplayers@gmail.com.
Our History
1992
Way back in the Spring of 1992 a handful of like-minded individuals on
Chicago’s South Side gathered together with the idea of forming an
Irish Theatre Group, where everybody could work in the performing
arts and have fun doing so at Gaelic Park. Our hope was to present
the best in Irish culture and tradition to the community surrounding
Gaelic Park and indeed to Chicago at large, in the shape
of Irish drama and comedy. We called ourselves Gaelic Park Players.
First production
Our first production consisted of two one-act plays by Seán O’Casey entitled “Pound on Demand” and “Bedtime Story”. Both plays were well received and the group was encouraged to expand its horizons. We now present two full length productions per year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall in addition to performing at various Irish Festivals over the Summer months. Productions to date have concentrated on drama, comedy and farce from the pens of Seán O’Casey and Brian Friel to John Murphy, Bernard Farrell and John B.Keane.
1994
In 1994 a Performing Arts Stage was added to the lineup for Chicago Gaelic Park’s Irish Fest.
1999
Our group has been delighted to host the Performing Arts Stage over the three day festival, featuring local talent from the Chicagoland area. We are active participants in Acting Irish International Theatre Festival (AIITF) and hosted the Festival here at Gaelic Park in 1999 and 2005.
