(Harlequins Production Chronology 1927 - Present ) (Harlequins Community Theatre in 1978)
  (Harlequins Community Theatre today)
 In September of 1927, a local physician, Dr. Paul Squire, invited a group of Sandusky men and women interested in the advancement of culture to a meeting in McKittrick’s Tea Room on East Adams Street.  Out of that meeting came an organization that has entertained our area for more than three-quarters of a century:  Harlequins Community Theatre.

In the beginning, Harlequins had no permanent home.  Performances were held in churches, a warehouse, an attic and several local schools.  Finally, Harlequins arrived at its present home, the coach-house (pictured above) of the fine old mansion at 414 Wayne Street.  The intimate, 97-seat space was first leased as a work area in 1940 with the first production being held there in 1958.  Before that first show, however, Harlequins members removed the horse stalls, laid a concrete floor, erected an addition to provide the stage area, and converted the loft into a green room and storage space for costumes and properties. 

1928 - "Mr. Pim Passes By"

1954 - "My Three Angels"

Today, Harlequins is the oldest continuously running community theatre in the state of Ohio.  We are a non-profit organization associated with the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) and the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT).  We produce three to four shows each year between November and May. Most shows are performed 8 times over two to three weekends.  

Harlequins provides a theatrical experience that demonstrates that an appreciation of the arts is still of vital importance to many individuals in Erie County and the surrounding area.  We often recruit young people from local schools for our various shows as a necessary part in a particular play.  Their satisfaction in achievement and understanding of commitment and responsibility is immeasurable.  The next time you see one of our shows, take the time to think about the dedication, talent and sincere desire to please our audiences that is “behind” the scenes.

1968 - "Barefoot in the Park"

1970 - "Mr. Roberts"

1997 - "My Fair Lady"

2003 - "37 Postcards" 

2007 - "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"

 

Harlequins is a multiple award winning theatre!

 

1999 - "Barrymore's Ghost"

       State AACTFEST 2001 multiple award winners.  They also went on to the Region III AACTFEST competition.

 

2002 - "Five Tellers Dancing in the Rain"

Regional OCTA multiple award winners

 

2004 - "Light Sensitive"

Regional OCTA multiple award winners

 

2005 - "Wrong for Each Other"

Regional and State OCTA multiple award winners

 

2006 - "Charlie Cox Runs With Scissors"

Regional OCTA multiple award winners 

 
2007 - "A Piece of My Heart" Regional and State OCTA multiple award winners 

                                        2009 - "Ravenscroft"Regional and State OCTA multiple award winners  2010 - "The Iliad, the Odyssey and all of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less"Regional OCTA mulitple award winners