Bay City Players

Bay City Players is a volunteer-based community theatre located at 1214 Columbus Ave in Bay City, Michigan. It describes itself as the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Michigan, having operated for 109 years as of its own account. The organization is a nonprofit community of performers and other volunteers that offers intimate and relevant theatre experiences, and it is dedicated to providing high-quality theatrical experiences for the entertainment, education, and enrichment of the community. The theatre was founded by Mrs. J. D. Grinnell, also known as Emily Fox Grinnell. According to the theatre's own history, Emily Fox was born May 18, 1859, in New York City, the daughter of Charles Sheldon Fox and Catherine B. Murray Fox. Her family background and life story are part of the theatre's recorded history. The company has operated continuously since its founding, making it a longstanding cultural institution in the region. Bay City Players produces a full season of theatrical performances, with recent and upcoming seasons including multiple productions running across months such as July, August, September, October, December, January, February, March, and April. The theatre also holds casting calls and offers opportunities for community involvement. It is supported by sponsors and engages with its audience through news and posts, including season announcements and director's choice applications. As a community theatre, Bay City Players relies on volunteers and operates as a nonprofit entity. It does not have publicly traded stock and is not a subsidiary of a larger corporate group. Its primary focus is on live theatre productions and community engagement in Bay City, Michigan.

Bay City Players was founded by Mrs. J. D. Grinnell, also known as Emily Fox Grinnell. According to the theatre's own history, Emily Fox was born May 18, 1859, in New York City. Her parents were Charles Sheldon Fox (1830-1904) and Catherine B. Murray Fox (1827-1897). She had two younger sisters: Florence Cornelia Fox (1862-1933) and Alma Florence Fox Holt (1864-1927). Her father, Charles Fox, was born in Kingsville, Ohio, and led a notable nineteenth-century American life: he left home at age 11, attended Kingsville Academy, became a teacher in Cayuga Lake and Auburn, New York, and at age 26 became a Methodist minister. He married Catherine Murray in 1856, and in 1859 the family moved to southwest Michigan when Fox was transferred to the Michigan District of the Methodist Church. He was a popular and much-beloved minister, known throughout the state for his work. The theatre has operated continuously since its founding, and as of its own account it has been operating for 109 years, making it the oldest continuously operating community theatre in Michigan. The organization is a volunteer-based community theatre dedicated to providing high-quality theatrical experiences for the entertainment, education, and enrichment of the community. It is located at 1214 Columbus Ave, Bay City, MI 48708. Over the years, Bay City Players has produced a full season of theatrical performances. Recent and upcoming seasons include productions in July, August, September, October, December, January, February, March, and April. The theatre also holds casting calls and offers opportunities for community involvement. It is supported by sponsors and engages with its audience through news and posts, including season announcements and director's choice applications. The theatre's 109th season was announced in April 2026, with applications for the Director's Choice Downstage opening in December 2025.

• 2026

  Season 109 announced in April 2026.

• 2025

  Season 109 Director’s Choice Downstage applications opened in December 2025.

• 1917

  Bay City Players founded by Mrs. J. D. Grinnell (Emily Fox Grinnell).

Oldest continuously operating community theatre in Michigan, volunteer-based and nonprofit.

• Season 109 productions

  A full season of theatrical performances running from July 2026 through May 2027.

• Casting calls

  Opportunities for community members to audition for productions.

• Director's Choice Downstage

  A program allowing directors to choose productions for a downstage series.

1. 1Bay City Players: Oldest Operating Community Theatre in Michiganbaycityplayers.org
2. 2Bay City Players :: Michigan's Longest Operating Community Theatrebaycityplayers.org
3. 3Bay City Playerswikidata.org