Daytona Playhouse In Daytona Beach, FL
Located on Jessamine Blvd., directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from the mainland, the Daytona Playhouse is a quintessential old-fashioned community theater. A favorite of locals, it has been in continuous existence since 1946 and is the only non-profit community theater group in Daytona Beach.
Each year, beginning in September and continuing through mid-May, a dedicated group of volunteer actors, directors, stage hands, ticket takers, and others will gather together to organize a season full of both well-known and not-so-well-known plays. Some of these are written by local or regional playwrights while others are by classic authors of popular plays, including Neil Simon, Eugene O’Neill, Noel Coward, and others. The season’s menu tends to be a good mix of different genres including drama, farce, comedy, mystery, and classical theater. Currently, the Daytona Playhouse also offers some children’s theater productions though this has not been the case every. Recently, however, they introduced Family PlayFest, which they hope will continue annually and entice parents and grandparents to bring their little ones to a play or two.
In most instances, each of the six plays features seven performances including both weekday evenings and Saturday matinees. Auditions for each play are held about two months prior to opening night for those who wish to try their hand at acting. Tickets for the shows can be purchased individually or those who live or vacation in the area long-term are able to purchase a season ticket that includes admission to all 6 shows that are on the docket for that season. Special prices are available for seniors and youth under the age of 18. The theater seats only 243 patrons, so the view of the stage is good from anywhere and all tickets cost the same. Subscription seats/season tickets may be ordered by mail but all other seats need to be purchased at the box office. Online ordering is not available at this time.
The Daytona Playhouse boasts a dedicated staff of volunteers who see to all the particulars of running a successful theater. Volunteers are consistently being sought and can work in the areas of production (acting, backstage work, light board operation, costume designing and organizing), lobby services (box office, ushers, concession stands), or support services (publicity, fundraising, theater and grounds maintenance). Members of the community are also sought for the Daytona Playhouse Board of Directors or for other leadership roles within the theater community.
The Daytona Playhouse also has a reputation for being one of Daytona Beach’s “haunted sites”. Individuals with the local paranormal society have investigated the sightings of various specters and other supposed hauntings at the theater after playhouse volunteers noted some unusual sounds. However, these have only occurred during non-performance times and no audience member has ever noted a sighting.
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