The Arena Players, Inc. enters its fifth decade fully mindful of its responsibility to sustain an institution that has woven its way deep into the fabric of theater in the community and indeed the nation.  Those who have been closest to the growth of the organization throughout its almost fifty years pause to reassess their experiences, which frequently reached the lowest depths of frustration but more often found renewal in glorious success. In 1953, the opportunities for talented young Blacks in the city of Baltimore (not unlike most other places) were extremely limited.  Baltimore’s premier professional theater was the Ford’ s Theater, now demolished, where audiences were segregated and acting opportunities for blacks were non-existent.  There were a number of small community theaters, none of which were accessible.  Originally, The Negro Little Theater, organized to give vent to local talent, Arena Players’ struggled sporadically to mount plays under extremely limited circumstances. A two-story cottage on the campus of Coppin State College, an African American teachers’ college at the time, became the site of the first production.  The second floor, which served as the area for physical education classes, was transformed for a weekend into an arena styled theater with the audience seated in two rows around the perimeter.  One of the most challenging feats of the early acting ensemble was to arrive on a Friday afternoon following the last classes and to prepare the set, hang art works for viewing during intermission, create lighting effects, arrange seating and be ready for curtain at 8:00 pm.  Then upon closing on Sunday night about 10:00 pm all vestiges of the “theater” were disassembled so that classes could be held by the college, without any inconvenience, on Monday morning.   The Druid Hill YMCA served as home quarters for the sixth and seventh seasons as the Arena Players continued their unbroken schedule of performances with sell-out support from loyal followers.  The next move of the Players came in 1960 to the undercroft of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin for Season Eight.  The following year the “band of nomads” took up housekeeping at 406 Orchard Street in the heart of downtown Baltimore.  The building they occupied was the old St. Mary’s Recreational Hall, then being used as a storage warehouse.  In bad repair the building was located in a badly depressed housing area.  The organization was able, in 1969, to purchase the property outright and the area soon became enveloped in the citywide renovation plans and thus became the prime location with the new address, 801 McCulloh Street. With a permanent home the Arena Players has been able to solidify its impact on the community.   Producing a variety of classics such as “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Death of A Salesman,” “Anna Lucasta,” and Bubblin’ Brown Sugar,” the Arena Players have literally produced hundreds of plays in its 49 years, averaging five to six productions per season. Many nationally known actors from stage and screen received their early training with Arena Players such as the late Howard E. Rollins, (In The Heat of the Night); Miki Grant (Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope); and Damon Evans (The Jeffersons). Other internationally known theatre artists have supported Arena Players with their time and on site help such as Charles Dutton (Roc), Trazana Beverly (For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf) and Al Freeman (Malcolm X). Currently, the Arena Players is a community theatre that uses volunteer actors and technical support in all performances. Programs of the Arena Players, Inc. include an annual playwriting competition co-sponsored by WMAR-TV2, a successful partnership that has seen broadcasts of the winning production every Black History Month for the past 20 years; the award winning after school and summer Youtheatre, that just recently returned from a 10 day engagement of performances workshops in The Netherlands as a part of an arts exchange program; and Studio 801, an education program of acting workshops and other artists services. The Youtheatre that offers four productions annually by three separate age groups of talented young people, has provided theatre opportunities to youth since 1974. Over the years Arena Players, Inc. has served to advance the opportunities of literally thousands of young people in their theatrical endeavors.  The economic impact of the theater upon local church groups, clubs and community organizations in funding activities through a shared ticket sales plan has been invaluable. A Youtheatre, long the dream of the founding members, is permanently in place training over 150 young people annually; and a popular scholarship program has provided funds to many young African Americans interested in continuing their theatrical education. Arena Players, Inc. is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to its community and is anxious to offer 50 more!