Town and Country Players Looking to Expand

A Buckingham playhouse is looking to expand the 18th Century barn that it calls home.

Town and Country Players, located on York Road in Buckingham, is hoping to construct a three-story addition to the cow barn that has been transformed into an award-winning playhouse. 

“This is a major improvement to our theater and something that our patrons have wanted for a long time,” said Sharon Rill-Soester, Town and Country Players president. 

Representatives from the playhouse will come before the Buckingham Township Zoning Hearing Board on Aug. 19 for two variances—to build within the 30-foot side yard and a special exception to extend a non-conforming use.

Rill-Soester said the playhouse is “very excited” to begin constructing the addition, which will include a 24-foot by 24-foot footprint and three floors.

The addition will include new women's, men’s and handicapped-access restrooms on the first floor, a meeting and rehearsal room on the second floor and storage on the third floor, Rill-Soester said.

She said the playhouse hopes to begin construction on the project in November, provided the necessary approvals are granted by the township. If all goes as planned, construction should be completed in April, just in time for the 2014 season, Rill-Soester said.

Town and Country Players, a nonprofit, is currently raising money for the project. An online donation page has been set up on the organization’s website.

Over the years, the playhouse has completed a variety of improvements to the historic barn. According to the Town and Country Players website, an air-conditioning system was installed in 1994. In 2006, dilapidated seats were removed and replaced with "Kimmel Center styled" red leather seats.

In recent years, the playhouse has added new lights, carpet, backstage monitors and insulation of the theater and sound booth, among other improvements, according to the website.