Arena Players, Inc.

Arena Players, Inc. Arena Players is the oldest continuously operating African-American community theater in the U.S. **Proudly founded in Baltimore**

Arena Players believes:

•That the theater arts have a unique capability to regenerate the human spirit and that no other art form so totally embraces the whole being or so enriches one’s self awareness and relationship to others.

•That Arena Players is a community theater founded and dependent upon the interactions of people who combine their knowledge, interest, and pursuit of effort to perpetuate the organization. Herein is an opportunity for the development and display of the talents, technical skills, and crafts of all who would pursue the theater arts as a career, a vocation, or audience.

•That involvement in Arena Players has a reciprocal value in that experiences are self rewarding.

•That the membership is comprised of dues-paying volunteers who form a pool of people interested in all phases of theater and play production.

•That it is the responsibility of the individual members to strive to develop their talents as a ready source for the good of the organization and that the corporation has the responsibility of facilitating the development of the talents of its members.

•That purpose and integrity demands that efforts be to and through those who are affiliated with corporation by membership, and that dispensations be granted to others only when all resources of the membership have been reviewed and the corporation is found wanting.

•That Arena Players is a service organization to the good of the community, its cultural growth, and well being.

•That Arena Players should provide the community with a physical facility wherein all who are interested may avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the theater arts.

A new era for the Playhouse!
09/30/2026

A new era for the Playhouse!

Arena Players Inc., the oldest continuously running Black community theater in the U.S., is undergoing extensive renovations to modernize its facilities and preserve its legacy.

Season 73! Now Playing… “Love In Rhythm” Directed by Felicia Chapple - A directorial debut from Arena’s Resident Product...
09/16/2026

Season 73! Now Playing… “Love In Rhythm” Directed by Felicia Chapple - A directorial debut from Arena’s Resident Production Manager!

Come out and be a part of our season opener at our temporary home, Baltimore City Community College (BCCC - Fine Arts Auditorium).

BCCC Fine Arts Building
Liberty Campus
2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
Baltimore MD, 21215

Tickets: https://arena-players-incorporated.ticketbud.com/love-in-rhythm--84daf7150498

Here is our season Line-up so far. Make sure you get your tickets and continue to support u throughout our renovation pr...
09/08/2026

Here is our season Line-up so far. Make sure you get your tickets and continue to support u throughout our renovation process. All performance will be held at BCCC Liberty Heights Campus until further notice Tickets can be purchased at https://arena-players-incorporated.ticketbud.com/

“Good, better, best… never let it rest.. till your good is your better and your better is your best!”Hello Arena Family,...
08/27/2026

“Good, better, best… never let it rest.. till your good is your better and your better is your best!”

Hello Arena Family,

Today, one of the liveliest Souls the Arena playhouse has ever known, has gone home. Sandra Meekins has joined the Arena Players ancestors. She will be deeply missed. 🙏🏾❤️🎭

In Sandra’s words:

This is all because of Robert Russell.�My heritage with Arena Playhouse spans nearly 30 years. Shows such as Vanities, Old Settler, For Colored Girls, Long Time Since Yesterday, and let us not forget Moms Mabley helped shape and mold my creativity and imagination as an actress and teacher.
�Standing behind the curtains waiting for my entrance, there was nervousness and fear, but once the lights went up and the curtains opened, I was charged up to embrace the moments and perform taking my bows amid the many applauses . However, I soon discovered that God had also given me the gift of stage management and teaching the youth at Youththeater.

Teaching youth character development excites me to no end. It is here that I can now mold our future performers to light up the stage with their talent in acting as well as teach the tech crew behind the scenes stagecraft.

Being the “House Mother" in the Green Room afforded me the opportunity to make sure the adult performers are groomed and cued up to make their grand entrance on stage. This has been a joy.�
Through it all, I was blessed to perform, teach, and manage backstage at the awesome Arena Playhouse while raising two daughters and, later, helping seven grandchildren understand and appreciate the world of theater. Four of my great-grandchildren attend the Arena Players Youth Theatre, and they absolutely lovie it. As the saying goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."�
As I wrap this up, I honor my mother, Malinda; my father, Ulysses; my sister, Glenda; my brother, Junior; and all of my family and friends who have always encouraged me to do my best both on and off the stage.
�However, the greatest honor goes to God for creating me and allowing me to perform, teach, and manage backstage at the awesome Arena Playhouse.�
Toodles!

Good morning! Don’t forget to stop by today or tomorrow for an hour or two.. It’s time to give the playhouse an upgrade...
08/10/2026

Good morning! Don’t forget to stop by today or tomorrow for an hour or two.. It’s time to give the playhouse an upgrade! 🎭

Good morning Arena Players Family!

The time has finally arrived!

We are packing up the Arena Playhouse to begin renovations, NEXT week!🎉🎉.

We must prepare the building and the ancestors within for the next era! What a long awaited and historic moment!

Please come help if you can and/or share with your networks.

Email: [email protected]. Subject line: 2026 API Renovations - Volunteer!

Good morning Arena Players Family! The time has finally arrived! We are packing up the Arena Playhouse to begin renovati...
08/06/2026

Good morning Arena Players Family!

The time has finally arrived!

We are packing up the Arena Playhouse to begin renovations, NEXT week!🎉🎉.

We must prepare the building and the ancestors within for the next era! What a long awaited and historic moment!

Please come help if you can and/or share with your networks.

Email: [email protected]. Subject line: 2026 API Renovations - Volunteer!

07/14/2026

Arena Players, Inc. Social Media Community Guidelines
Welcome to the official Arena Players, Inc. page.

This platform exists to share news, events, productions, educational opportunities, and activities related to Arena Players, Inc.

To help maintain a positive and respectful online community, we ask that all comments and interactions remain relevant to the purpose of this page. We do not encourage extended discussions that fall outside our mission or that do not support the goals of Arena Players, Inc.
While we strive to foster open engagement, we reserve the right to remove comments or take other moderation actions, without prior notice, if content is disruptive, inappropriate, or distracts from the purpose of this page.

Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful virtual environment where the public can receive information, ask questions, and engage constructively with our content.

We also reserve the right not to respond to comments or opinions shared on this page, regardless of their content.

If you have questions or wish to contact Arena Players, Inc. directly, please reach us at:

Arena Players, Inc.
801 McCulloh Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-728-6500

We will continue to share our 73rd season with you all
07/14/2026

We will continue to share our 73rd season with you all

Make sure you guys support our Young People with these 3 amazing productions. Tickets will sell fast so get them today 4...
07/07/2026

Make sure you guys support our Young People with these 3 amazing productions. Tickets will sell fast so get them today 410-728-6500

Address

801 McCulloh Street
Baltimore, MD
21201

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm

Telephone

+14107286500

Website

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