Six decades of on stage productions and the Driftwood Players are still going strong. But the facility where so much local talent has been spotlighted over the years needs some sprucing up.

After 40 years at the location at East Third and I streets in Aberdeen, The Driftwood Board of Officers and Trustees have taken on the job of fixing the Driftwood Theater’s mansard roof and replacing, re-glazing or re-paning the 67 windows on the building that was erected in 1926.

The building also needs a new coat of paint, and the board is hoping to accomplish that next summer.

All of these projects cost money. Unfortunately, the productions throughout the year do not bring in enough revenue to pay for repairs to the building, as well as set constructions, costumes, royalty fees, heating, lighting the building, insurance and other expenses.

The Driftwood Players were organized in November 1959. The group’s first long-term home was a remodeled storage building near the old Weyerhaeuser plant in Cosmopolis. The building was leased from Weyerhaeuser for $1 a year; old theatre seats were purchased from a local church for $225 and there was no backstage, no wings, nor any space beyond the stage and seating. Driftwood’s first show at this location in February of 1960 was “See How They Run.”

After seven years, the players moved into the former Swedish-Finn Temperance Hall on B Street in Hoquiam where they stayed for 16 years.

The current playhouse, purchased in 1981, was originally a meeting hall for Christian Scientists. The building is approximately 11,000 square feet and was purchased for $150,000.

A major renovation project was started with Aberdeen Lions members Gene Fogde and Will Foster leading the construction team. The total cost for the conversion construction was $118,090 and the Aberdeen Rotary Club provided a $100,000 advance loan.

“Sixty-two years ago, a small group of people had a dream. Many, many people have worked hard over the years to keep making that dream a reality,” says Debbie Scoones, Driftwood Players Publicity/Public Relations Trustee.

“The theater has faced some difficult challenges over the years. The pandemic closed the doors temporarily but with creativity and ingenuity, three shows were live streamed last season. A recent arson fire caused damage to the back of the building, and also required that the theater curtains had to be replaced and the walls, seats, floor, and ceiling on the main floor had to be cleaned thoroughly.”

To make a donation to the renovation project or for more information about the theater contact Terry Rogers at 360-580-7530.