FirstLight Players

09/24/2026

New video available "From the Thames to Broadway: An evening with the bard" from 2010! Deep in the First Unitarian Church of Rochester archives, we have discovered the mini-DV video tapes of a production done by First Unitarian Drama (later named FirstLight Players). It was a review of Shakespeare scenes and inspired music. The first act was from Shakespeare's time, and the second act was modern-day material. We made use of the unique space of the church sanctuary by moving the audience seating during intermission from facing the back to facing the front. We just couldn't resist using the choir loft for the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene! Enjoy!

Here is Act 1 video: https://youtu.be/mSvlkPuiv0c?si=Dm73gx30Id3LG5oZ
Here is Act 2 video: https://youtu.be/Xwp4_DK-eB0?si=tLkEdqoh8QD2HIYJ

On January 29 and 30, 2010, First Unitarian Drama Group, in conjunc...

09/24/2026

I am sorry to say that we've have made the tough decision to suspend work on FirstLight Players' premiere production of the one-act play, "An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post’s Sophia Street Circle", by our own Ira Srole. Despite the best efforts of our four-person production team, we have not been able to fill all the needed acting and technical roles to make the project for late October viable.

We wanted to do this in 2026 as part of the America 250 commemoration, since it fits perfectly with the theme that New York State has put out for acknowledging the unfinished business and struggles to reach our ideals since the Revolution. However, the play can be done at any time since it has significance to Rochester's history. We would like to try again in the future, and we hope you will be interested in being part of it when that happens. We welcome your input on other events, projects, or activities FirstLight Players might do in the coming months to bring "Illuminating Theater" to Rochester. You can always reach us at
[email protected].

Kind Regards,
Lynn Kinsman (Co-chair, and producer)
and Ira Srole (Co-chair, playwright, and dramaturge)

08/24/2026

Wed August 26 6:30-8 pm. Another chance to audition "An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post's Sophia Street Circle" (performances in October 2026). Please drop in We AUg 26 6:30-8pm at First Unitarian Church of Rochester anytime from 6:30-8:00 and plan to stay about 30 minutes. If this time doesn't work for you, please email [email protected] for an audition time.

This is a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole, one of the co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play uses words from the historical record to show how Rochester NY was a vital center for radical reform in the mid-19th century.

Auditions are continuing for the 10 speaking roles. We still are looking for one Black man, one white man, two Black women, and one white woman.

Performance dates:
-- Premiere performances: Friday October 23 evening; Saturday October 24 afternoon
-- For Greece Historical Society: Tuesday October 27 evening
Please read the full announcement here for more details:
https://docs.google.com/.../1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaS.../view...
It helps us if you complete the Audition Form before arrival: https://forms.gle/FkV5tf3yvrM1hE1g6

Roles:
All roles are real people who lived during the mid-19th century, and we wish to honor their stories through thoughtful representation using a theatrical style of realism. We are looking for actors who can convey the historical figure convincingly. We also recognize this is a dramatic work for theater, and we will make room for flexibility in gender, age, and physical characteristics.
Roles
-- Amy Kirby Post (white woman, age 48-58): Central narrator and host, speaks throughout the play, introducing scenes, recounting events, and interacting with other characters.
-- Isaac Post (white man, age 52-62): Amy’s husband, co-host, and participant in the narrative and spiritualist activities.
-- Harriet Jacobs (Black woman, age 37-47): Formerly enslaved woman, author, and activist, shares her story and involvement.
-- William Wells Brown (Black man, age 36-46): Abolitionist who escaped from enslavement, describes his work and views.
-- Sojourner Truth (Black woman, age 53-63): Black abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivers her famous speech.
-- George Thompson (white man, age 46-56): British abolitionist, addresses the audience on anti-slavery.
-- Ernestine Rose (white woman, 40-50): Polish-born abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, speaks at the convention.
-- Rev. William Henry Channing (white man, age 40-50): Unitarian minister, supporter of Douglass and the Underground Railroad.
-- Frederick Douglass (Black man, age 32-42): Formerly enslaved abolitionist and publisher of “The North Star”, delivers a pivotal speech.
-- Julia Griffiths (white woman, age 39-49): English abolitionist, supporter of Douglass, and fundraiser.
Thank you for your interest in FirstLight Players! We would appreciate it very much if you would forward this information to any of your theater contacts in the Rochester area to spread the word!

Your Production team:
Ira Srole (Co-chair, and playwright)
Lynn Kinsman (Co-chair, and producer)
Rebecah Hatchel (Director)
Stefan Baer (Stage Manager)
[email protected]

08/08/2026

Auditions extended to August 17! Please spread the word!
FirstLight Players is extending our open auditions for roles in "An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post's Sophia Street Circle" (performances in October 2026). Please drop in Monday August 17 anytime from 6:30-8:30 and plan to stay about 30 minutes.

This is a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole, one of the co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play uses words from the historical record to show how Rochester NY was a vital center for radical reform in the mid-19th century.

Auditions are continuing for the 10 speaking roles, held in the sanctuary at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester NY (220 Winton Road S.):
Monday August 17 6:30-8:30 pm
Drop in any time during the window and plan to stay about 30 minutes.
If this time doesn't work for you, please email [email protected] for an audition time.

Performance dates:
-- Premiere performances: Friday October 23 evening; Saturday October 24 afternoon
-- For Greece Historical Society: Tuesday October 27 evening

Please read the full announcement here for more details:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaSj4nOiTtrIsUj9EzLyfFZg5Y/view?tab=t.0 =h.o86knxw1jumt

It helps us if you complete the Audition Form before arrival: https://forms.gle/FkV5tf3yvrM1hE1g6

Roles:
All roles are real people who lived during the mid-19th century, and we wish to honor their stories through thoughtful representation using a theatrical style of realism. We are looking for actors who can convey the historical figure convincingly. We also recognize this is a dramatic work for theater, and we will make room for flexibility in gender, age, and physical characteristics.

Roles
-- Amy Kirby Post (white woman, age 48-58): Central narrator and host, speaks throughout the play, introducing scenes, recounting events, and interacting with other characters.
-- Isaac Post (white man, age 52-62): Amy’s husband, co-host, and participant in the narrative and spiritualist activities.
-- Harriet Jacobs (Black woman, age 37-47): Formerly enslaved woman, author, and activist, shares her story and involvement.
-- William Wells Brown (Black man, age 36-46): Abolitionist who escaped from enslavement, describes his work and views.
-- Sojourner Truth (Black woman, age 53-63): Black abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivers her famous speech.
-- George Thompson (white man, age 46-56): British abolitionist, addresses the audience on anti-slavery.
-- Ernestine Rose (white woman, 40-50): Polish-born abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, speaks at the convention.
-- Rev. William Henry Channing (white man, age 40-50): Unitarian minister, supporter of Douglass and the Underground Railroad.
-- Frederick Douglass (Black man, age 32-42): Formerly enslaved abolitionist and publisher of “The North Star”, delivers a pivotal speech.
-- Julia Griffiths (white woman, age 39-49): English abolitionist, supporter of Douglass, and fundraiser.

Thank you for your interest in FirstLight Players! We would appreciate it very much if you would forward this information to any of your theater contacts in the Rochester area to spread the word!

Your Production team:
Ira Srole (Co-chair, and playwright)
Lynn Kinsman (Co-chair, and producer)
Rebecah Hatchel (Director)
Stefan Baer (Stage Manager)

[email protected]

08/08/2026

HISTORY of FirstLight Players and the Drama Group of First Unitarian Church of Rochester

It may come as a surprise to some discovering FirstLight Players for the very first time that we have decades of history. Since the late 1970's, the “Drama Group” of First Unitarian Church of Rochester has been active - that’s over 40 years of showbiz! We adopted our new name, FirstLight Players, our tagline "Illuminating Theatre", and our professional logo in 2012. We are an experienced troupe, evolving and learning from one another, and providing developed stage troupers and talented newcomers a space to move audiences.

Early in our history, our founders did much to make certain drama and music filled lives, while giving an outlet to the many actors and singers who were drawn to and welcomed from the Rochester community. Fourteen Gilbert & Sullivan light operettas brought finely voiced singing actors to us, who enjoyed elaborate costuming and scenery creations. Players likewise were tickled to have an outlet to create Shakespearean compilations. Other plays produced during the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s were: Twelve Angry Jurors, The Crucible, The Browning Version, Under Milkwood, The Good Doctor, Canterbury Tales, Warren, and The Careful Dreamer.
During the 2000’s, we presented an annual cabaret musical review, weaving together popular tunes from Broadway to express a theme or concept, or to further explore the monthly worship themes of the congregation. The casts included children, teens and adults from inside and outside the church membership. These included “Lemonade”, “Galleria Unitaaria”, and “A Shakespeare Evening”, just to name a few. In 2009 we brought out antiquity garb and had another hit using pop and Broadway tunes with an original script: “Ulysses-A Unitarian Odyssey: A Musical Adventure”.

The new century also brought a new wave of leadership, trained and educated in drama and music arts, who welcomed many more artists to productions. Our writers created new Christmas Pageants with original dialogue, lyrics, and music. “Under the Tree” in 2009 and “Wisdom 101” in 2010 were thoughtful hits for the holiday season, presented as part of our church services at First Unitarian. These all-original musicals, besides showcasing adult talent, gave children solo voice with advancement to be future stars beyond our venue. In 2008 we partook in a feature article by the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper with photos of choir members from our cast in September's welcoming ceremony. 2010 summer congregants and our pros partnered to create a music video to premier at our homecoming church service in September, entitled “Coming Home”.

FLP enjoyed a very active period from 2011-2015 with a string of Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals to thrill our audiences: 2011 “Is There Life after High School?”, 2012 Rogers & Hammerstein review “A Grand Night for Singing”, 2013 “A Man of No Importance”, 2014 “Death Takes a Holiday”; 2015 “Leap of Faith”. For “Leap”, we partnered with Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. They took this leap with us as they brought their own brand of gospel style singing to the production, creating a blend of Zion Hill, Spiritus Christi Gospel Choir, First Unitarian, and Rochester community singers to the cast. In 2013, we joined Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) and in 2014 were awarded by adjudication a plethora of honors for our troupe. See the ‘Awards’ section below.

2016 brought a return to original material, producing a dinner-theatre experience with “Musical Mystery of 1937”. In 2017 we interpreted several of the monthly worship themes though a variety of short performances within our church services: a Shakespeare scene, some Japanese poetry with music, and even an experiential contra dance that the whole congregation took part in.
From 2017-2019, we were thrilled to bring to Rochester an original play, “An Equal Right to Act: Remembering the Second Woman’s Rights Convention of 1848”. We performed this important work in seven different venues including the Rochester Public Market, the Rochester Fringe Fest, several libraries, and the conference of the Raging Grannies. The Second Convention was held at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, two weeks after the more famous First Convention at Seneca Falls, so it was fitting to let more local people know about it through this dramatic performance.
In 2019 we hosted a community-wide talent night to celebrate the Spring Equinox, called “Equal Light Talent Night”. Over 30 performers from throughout the Rochester area graced us with their interpretations of equality and renewal.

In January 2020, we held a comedy improv workshop to explore our monthly worship theme, “Responding to Truth”. It was a huge success, attended by 30 people, some of whom had never tried doing improv before. “Yes, and...”
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Yearning to bring people together from our separate homes, in May 2021 FLP "staged" a virtual performance of the funny one-act play "The Ugly Duckling" by A.A.Milne to explore the church's theme of "Trusting in Transformation" and raise funds for Point of Pride. It was an ambitious undertaking with a cast of seven, all rehearsed and performed from our homes using Zoom. We partnered with friends at Rochester Institute of Technology to provide our digital scenery and effects so the audience would see a composite scene livestreamed over Vimeo, as if we were together. We had 64 viewers of the livestream and 208 views of the recording of the next day.

We took the next few years to explore material. We hosted a reading circle where we took turns reading play excerpts, and we held interest meetings to determine what we wanted to do as we emerged from the pandemic. At long last, our first in-person production after the pandemic was in April 2024, just two weeks after Rochester experienced a total solar eclipse in the path of totality. Finding no plays about eclipses, our FLP team researched, wrote, and produced an original one-act play "A Glowing Halo: The Quest for Truth in the Heavens" that traveled through time and science to understand a theorized planet Vulcan between the Sun and Mercury, a local astronomer, Lewis Swift, who thought he'd seen it during the total solar eclipse of 1878, and how that theory was finally debunked by Albert Einstein.
The FirstLight Players team looks forward to many more years of joy within the richly talented Rochester, NY community theatre scene.

Awards
Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS):
“First Light Players’ production of Death Takes a Holiday, The Musical is a breath of fresh air to the Rochester community theater scene. With impressive performances and skillful direction, First Light Players has made the statement that they are ready to bring thoughtful, innovative theater to the area.”
#1 Outstanding Vocal Performance to Ron Herman as Major Eric Fenton
#2 Excellence in Acting to Tyler Lucero as Death/Prince Nikolai Sirki
#3 Excellence in Vocal Performance and Acting to Katya Lyubomirsky as Grazia Lamberti
#4 Excellence in Direction to Mary Lyubomirsky
#5 Excellence in Music Direction to Dean Ekberg
#6 Meritorious Achievement in Acting and Vocal Performance to Sarajane Fondiller as Contessa Evangelina Di San Danielli
#7 Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble Work to the Cast, Production Team, Technical Team and Orchestra

08/08/2026

REMINDER! TODAY! FirstLight Players is holding open auditions for roles in “An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post’s Sophia Street Circle”, a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole, one of the co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play uses words from the historical record to show how Rochester NY was a vital center for radical reform in the mid-19th century.
Auditions for the 10 speaking roles will be held in the sanctuary at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester NY (220 Winton Road S.):
Tuesday August 4 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday August 8 2-4pm
If these times don’t work for you, please email [email protected] for an audition time.
If you plan on auditioning during either session, arrive as you can and plan to stay about 30 minutes.

Performance dates:
Premiere performances: Friday October 23 evening; Saturday October 24 afternoon
For Greece Historical Society: Tuesday October 27 evening

Please read the full announcement here for more details:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaSj4nOiTtrIsUj9EzLyfFZg5Y/view?tab=t.0 =h.o86knxw1jumt

It helps us if you complete the Audition Form before arrival: https://forms.gle/FkV5tf3yvrM1hE1g6

Roles:
All roles are real people who lived during the mid-19th century, and we wish to honor their stories through thoughtful representation using a theatrical style of realism. We are looking for actors who can convey the historical figure convincingly. We also recognize this is a dramatic work for theater, and we will make room for flexibility in gender, age, and physical characteristics.

Roles
Amy Kirby Post (white woman, age 48-58): Central narrator and host, speaks throughout the play, introducing scenes, recounting events, and interacting with other characters.
Isaac Post (white man, age 52-62): Amy’s husband, co-host, and participant in the narrative and spiritualist activities.
Harriet Jacobs (Black woman, age 37-47): Formerly enslaved woman, author, and activist, shares her story and involvement.
William Wells Brown (Black man, age 36-46): Abolitionist who escaped from enslavement, describes his work and views.
Sojourner Truth (Black woman, age 53-63): Black abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivers her famous speech.
George Thompson (white man, age 46-56): British abolitionist, addresses the audience on anti-slavery.
Ernestine Rose (white woman, 40-50): Polish-born abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, speaks at the convention.
Rev. William Henry Channing (white man, age 40-50): Unitarian minister, supporter of Douglass and the Underground Railroad.
Frederick Douglass (Black man, age 32-42): Formerly enslaved abolitionist and publisher of “The North Star”, delivers a pivotal speech.
Julia Griffiths (white woman, age 39-49): English abolitionist, supporter of Douglass, and fundraiser.

08/03/2026

Oasis Update: We are excited to have a new, streamlined script from the writing team of Ira Srole and Sue Morgan! We have narrowed down the list of roles to just 10, which handles the issue of having some very small roles. Please come to Auditions Aug 4 and 8! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaSj4nOiTtrIsUj9EzLyfFZg5Y/edit?tab=t.0 =h.o86knxw1jumt

-- Amy Kirby Post (white woman, age 48-58): Central narrator and host, speaks throughout the play, introducing scenes, recounting events, and interacting with other characters.
-- Isaac Post (white man, age 52-62): Amy’s husband, co-host, and participant in the narrative and spiritualist activities.
-- Harriet Jacobs (Black woman, age 37-47): Formerly enslaved woman, author, and activist, shares her story and involvement.
-- William Wells Brown (Black man, age 36-46): Abolitionist who escaped from enslavement, describes his work and views.
-- Sojourner Truth (Black woman, age 53-63): Black abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, delivers her famous speech.
-- George Thompson (white man, age 46-56): British abolitionist, addresses the audience on anti-slavery.
-- Ernestine Rose (white woman, 40-50): Polish-born abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, speaks at the convention.
-- Rev. William Henry Channing (white man, age 40-50): Unitarian minister, supporter of Douglass and the Underground Railroad.
-- Frederick Douglass (Black man, age 32-42): Formerly enslaved abolitionist and publisher of “The North Star”, delivers a pivotal speech.
-- Julia Griffiths (white woman, age 39-49): English abolitionist, supporter of Douglass, and fundraiser.

08/01/2026

Do you want to be part of an original premiere production and honor the historic role of Rochester in America's history? FirstLight Players is holding open auditions for roles in “An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post’s Sophia Street Circle”, a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole, one of the co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play uses words from the historical record to show how Rochester NY was a vital center for radical reform in the mid-19th century.

Auditions for the 16 speaking roles will be held in the sanctuary at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester NY (220 Winton Road S.):
Tuesday August 4 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday August 8 2-4pm
If these times don’t work for you, please email [email protected] for an audition time.

Performance dates:
Premiere performances: Friday October 23 evening; Saturday October 24 afternoon
For Greece Historical Society: Tuesday October 27 evening

Please read the full announcement here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaSj4nOiTtrIsUj9EzLyfFZg5Y/view?tab=t.0 =h.o86knxw1jumt

We appreciate if you complete the Audition Form: https://forms.gle/FkV5tf3yvrM1hE1g6

Roles:
All roles are real people who lived during the mid-19th century, and we wish to honor their stories through thoughtful representation using a theatrical style of realism. We are looking for actors who can convey the historical figure convincingly. We also recognize this is a dramatic work for theater, and we will make room for flexibility in gender, age, and physical characteristics.

Please see full announcement for list of roles.

This graphic is an AI generated prototype to represent human-made graphics we might use to publicize the show. Let us know what you think!

07/18/2026

FirstLight Players is holding open auditions for roles in “An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post’s Sophia Street Circle”, a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole, one of the co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play uses words from the historical record to show how Rochester NY was a vital center for radical reform in the mid-19th century.

Auditions for the 16 speaking roles will be held in the sanctuary at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester NY (220 Winton Road S.):
Tuesday August 4 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday August 8 2-4pm
If these times don’t work for you, please email [email protected] for an audition time.

Performance dates:
Premiere performances: Friday October 23 evening; Saturday October 24 afternoon
For Greece Historical Society: Tuesday October 27 evening

Full announcement, including link to audition form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAKVTBI1vVf1z4yq1RaSj4nOiTtrIsUj9EzLyfFZg5Y/view?tab=t.0 =h.o86knxw1jumt

Roles:
All roles are real historical figures that we wish to represent with believable gender, physical characteristics, and age for the period when the story takes place (1850-1860). We are looking for actors who can convey the historical figure convincingly. We also recognize this is a dramatic work for theater, and we will make room for flexibility. In our casting and production process, we seek to honor those stories through thoughtful representation.

See full announcement link above for list of roles.

05/24/2026

FirstLight Players is launching a new production, and we’d love you to be a part of it! "An Oasis in the Desert: Amy Post’s Sophia Street Circle" is a new one-act historical play written by Ira Srole and edited by Lynn Kinsman, co-chairs for FirstLight Players. This bold play shows how Rochester was a vital center for radical reform during the period following the groundbreaking 1848 women's rights conventions in Seneca Falls and Rochester.

Rochestarians Amy and Isaac Post hosted many reformers in their Sophia Street home who debated the complex intersections of abolitionism, women’s suffrage, and Spiritualism. Their cozy parlor was a critical haven, an "Oasis in the Desert," for activists traveling the region and working on the Underground Railroad. This work is a celebration of moral courage and the diverse, unyielding dedication required to achieve human rights for all. The insights and deeds of these forebears carry a striking significance within our current political landscape.

Premiere performances:
At First Unitarian Church of Rochester
-- Friday October 23, evening
-- Saturday October 24, afternoon
For Greece Historical Society, at Lakeshore Elementary School, Latta Rd.
-- Tuesday October 27, evening

We plan to start casting the 10 on-stage and 6 prerecorded video multi-racial roles in July. Before we send out that call for actors, we need a strong production team to see this project through. We are in need of the following volunteers to get the planning and design off the ground:
- Director
- Assistant Director/ Stage Manager
- Producer
- Videographer and editor for prerecorded vignettes
- Graphic artist/designer
- Costume coordinator
- Technical design
---- Lighting
---- Sound
---- Video display
---- Scenery and stage dressing
---- Props

FirstLight Players is an all-volunteer drama group of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, the congregation where Amy and Isaac Post, and many other 19th Century Quakers of Rochester, found support for their activism.

We believe this play highlights New York State’s America 250th Commemoration Guidelines Theme #5 Unfinished Revolutions: “Over the past 250 years…the ongoing fight for basic equality and human rights has taken center stage across New York State. Reconciling the ideals of the Revolution with the continuing struggle towards a more just society allows 250th planners to broaden the focus of the commemoration to include other movements towards justice.”

If you are interested in being part of this 250th commemoration project, please email Ira and Lynn at [email protected].

Thank you!
Lynn Kinsman and Ira Srole
Co-chairs, FirstLight Players