Staples Players

01/26/2026

Tickets to "Badger," our studio production at Toquet Hall February 6th & 7th, are now on sale at staplesplayers.com! This production is directed by Players seniors Will McCrea and Connor Yuan.

What's "Badger"? We're glad you asked!

In 1944, five young women take newly available jobs at one of the largest munitions factories in the United States: the Badger Ordnance Works. Through their struggles and triumphs, the women form unlikely bonds as they adapt to the danger as well as insidious sexism that taking over jobs traditionally held by men brings.

01/22/2026

Players alum Lauren Weinberger asked us to pass along information about a benefit concert she is producing next month. Here’s what Lauren has to say — we hope that you can consider attending for this worthy cause!

From Lauren: "I founded Listen to the Beat back in 2011 (while in Players) to raise money for The American Heart Association in honor of my late grandmother who passed away from a heart attack at 62.

This year Listen to the Beat will be on 2/9 at 7:30 at St. Luke’s Theater in NYC and will be featuring some alums: Michelle Pauker, Rachel Samuels and Max Samuels. Other Broadway performers include Jay Armstrong Johnson (Parade, Moulin Rouge Nat. Tour, On The Town, Hair), Bella Coppola (Six, Smash), Matt Rodin (Beau, Company Nat. Tour), Sam Gravitte (Wicked), Jared Goldsmith (Dear Evan Hansen), Dan Hoy (Masquerade, Pirates of Penzance, Harmony), and Taylor Iman Jones (Six, Head over Heels, Groundhog Day).

All proceeds go to The American Heart Association."

Tickets are on sale here:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/34781/production/1263969?performanceId=11748661

01/21/2026

Congrats to longtime Players superfan and all around wonderful supporter Dan Woog on his induction in to the LGBTQ Sports Halls of Fame! Read all about it here. Well done, Dan!

As always, Westport meets the world

01/10/2026

"Urinetown" rehearsals officially kicked off with our read thru yesterday afternoon!

We can't wait to get started on this hilarious comedy. Performances are March 12-15 in the auditorium at Staples. Save the dates!

01/09/2026

Congrats to Players alum Michelle Pauker on the release of her new album, "Anything At All." Take a listen on Spotify or your favorite streaming platform!

At Staples, Michelle played a variety of roles, including the Witch in "Into the Woods," Mimi in "Rent," and Diana Molares in "A Chorus Line." Congrats, Michelle!

https://open.spotify.com/album/7IXkyDIt3RvKdLWRL1CHGP?si=X0gV4F58TZ2BLCoTm_yIpw

01/05/2026

"Dear Evan Hansen" is coming to high school stages across the country -- and here's an interview with Justin and Benj about just that!

Dave Malkoff speaks with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, writers of the music and lyrics for "Dear Evan Hansen," about the show, their careers, high school adapt...

01/05/2026

Players alums Georgia Wright and Nick Rossi teamed up on stage at Staples in shows like "Legally Blonde," "Newsies" and "Merrily We Roll Along." Now they are teaming up at playwright (Georgia) and actor (Nick) in Brooklyn this weekend! If you're in town, check it out!

01/03/2026

"Stranger Things" fan? Here's a Westport connection!

Congrats to Players alum Jennie Wilkes on her long time project at Netflix -- marketing for "Stranger Things." Jennie worked at Netflix, ultimately serving as a Senior Director of Creative Marketing and worked on marketing for "Stranger Things" for ten years. She's pictured here with "Stranger Things" creators, the Duffer Brothers.

Fun fact: Jennie's dad, photographer Stephen Wilkes, photographed the "ST" cast for their character portrait campaigns for seasons two through five. What a great collaboration between Jennie and her dad!

12/31/2025

Lots of Players alums in this post -- musician Drew McKeon, musician and actor Justin Paul, actor Ryan Smith, playwright and actor Ted Thompson, actor (and current musician) Drew Angus, actor Alisan Porter and so many more!

https://06880danwoog.com/2025/12/27/drew-mckeons-wedding-seal-ed-with-a-kiss/amp/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPCg9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe28oq4C6Sag2bLPnqPX5h4vPCXqx2x1tHtvxLVjISQ1kCRbzbSH9IMHUB6j4_aem_hEiqma_UJF7fCSW-ZaPQ2g

Stars come out for a Staples music wedding

12/31/2025

End of the year means plenty of "best of" lists. Check out Players alum Antonio Antonelli with the Council of Foreign Relation's list of best foreign policy books of 2025!

Antonio may no longer be acting, but we love seeing his face on screen!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DS4-wXyCVta/?hl=en

12/31/2025

Shout out to Players alum Sophia Sherman, who is turning heads and gaining followers in the world of social media as one half of the Soelle girls. Check out their sites and give them a follow!

(Fun fact: Sophia was the first female actress to play the role of "Crutchie," in Players' pilot production of "Newsies" for Disney Theatrical Group. Disney approved the gender swap and Sophia gave a moving performance in the role! Check out the link in comments for a video.)

My mom said she can drive us there if your mom can pick us up... 🧍🏻‍♀️🧍🏾‍♀️Besties 👯‍♀️ | Big Sis Advice 🧸 | Embracing Embarrassment 👁️👄👁️💌 WORK WI...

12/19/2025

Congrats to Players alum Liz Hannah!

The God of the Woods, which is being adapted into a series at Netflix, is a multigenerational drama about the mysterious disappearance of a young girl