Mud Creek Players Celebrates 60 Years at the Barn

Rick Perry and Mindy Sommer at the Mud Creek Barn.

Murder and intrigue and mayhem… oh my! Swashbucklers, pirates and ghosts are just some of the characters you may encounter upon a visit to see the Mud Creek Players in action.

Many of us at 60 years old may be considering downsizing, relaxing a bit and likely savoring the taste of upcoming retirement. Not so with the Mud Creek Players, who perform and engage the community at the famous Mud Creek Barn, located at 9740 East 86th Street. They are celebrating their 60-year anniversary.

The Mud Creek Players started through friendships formed during World War II. Initially known as “Lemon Butters,” a group of women gathered together to support the war effort through sewing bandages and blankets. After the war, the focus of the group changed and expanded to include husbands. Sol Blumenthol suggested the group would make a “fine dramatic group,” as stated in the history of Mud Creek Players on their website (www.mudcreekplayers.org/history). And so it began. There have been many players over the years that have contributed significantly to the expansion and integrity of the performances and social functions of the group. Dottie Pierdos, affectionately referred to as “The Spirit of the Barn” (1924-2009), left a legacy at the Mud Creek Barn and others, as detailed by Dottie on the website.

If you haven’t taken the opportunity to attend an event at the Mud Creek Barn, plan to enjoy a performance in the upcoming 2010-2011 season, spotlighting “The Cemetery Club;” “Ghost of a Chance;” “Whose Wives Are They Anyway?” and “Lend Me A Tenor.” R.A.T.S. (no, not a pesky problem) is an incredible summer camp for the budding performers in your life. Coming in October is “Polter-Geist,” according to President Rick Perry and Vice President Mindy Sommer. A new event not to be missed!

Mud Creek Barn is known for many things in addition to the plays performed. The organization takes pride in the role of responsibility to their community. Throughout the years, they have supported the American Heart Association, Humane Society of Indianapolis and Butler University MBA Program, just to name a few. They also offer a paper recycling program on site in the parking lot, which this writer uses regularly. Many know the “Barn” as their voting locale.

Mud Creek Players are strictly a volunteer organization that has various social elements. Members often attend social events such as pitch-ins, parties, group outings and game nights. Parties include the New Year’s Day Pancake Breakfast, Annual Mud Creek Players Dinner, Memorial Day Breakfast, Christmas Party and more. All members are welcome at all social events, and most are designed for the whole family! For more information go to www.mudcreekplayers.com.