OCONTO – As a community theater group, the Machickanee Players have been showcasing local talent for over 40 years. Thanks to support from area businesses, families, schools and more, the group is excited to make their facility even more welcoming.
Machickanee Players President Cathy Nelsen shared that what started as a group wanting to bring performing arts to the Oconto area began by hosting shows at their own homes and the local high school. As the Machickanee Players grew, they were gifted a small church built in the 1860s at 408 Park Ave. to make their own — which is still in use today.
Donations go a long way for this nonprofit organization.
“Everything here is based on the money that we make from the shows that we put on, the donations that we receive or bake sales and gift baskets that we offer during our shows,” Nelsen said.
Recently, the Machickanee Players received grants and donations from Bader Philanthropies, Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and the Green Bay Packers to fund a wheelchair ramp and make the building more accessible.
Nelsen explained, “Everybody comes in and goes out that door. With that ramp there now, it’s just so nice. Nobody has to worry about climbing the stairs and now we’ll be able to welcome a lot more people in.”
Oconto High School building and trades students came to the theater with their tech ed teachers and worked together to build the ramp. This not only supported the Machickanee Players, but provided a hand-on learning opportunity for the students.
“Right now, we’re working on getting the bathrooms revamped so that they’re handicap accessible,” Nelsen said.
Additional donations came in from Cain Cutting Edge of Oconto who painted the roof of the church and funding to install air conditioning thanks to supporters Ken and Joanne Altergot.
Nelsen explained, “This year, we actually had a youth theater camp, so that was another reason that the air conditioning really is helpful — it gets so hot in the building.”
Members of the youth theater camp will be returning to the stage with the Machickanee Players this October for their two one-act performances.
Five children, four of which participated in the youth theater over the summer, will be joining the adult theater members to perform “The Canterville Ghost,” originally written by Oscar Wilde in 1887.
The Machickanee Players website explains that the play is about what happens when “An American family faces the ghost of an English country manor with astounding good humor and amusement. While most of the family delights in the apparitions and pranks of the old ghost, the eldest daughter understands his desire to rest and comes to his aid. This play is filled with mystery, chills and humor.”
The second one-act play is “Blind Woman’s Bluff,” in which John, a young thief, responds to a sale ad placed by a blind woman, Myra, and plans a heist.
“But when the old woman brings out a jar full of cash, asking if he’d like to donate to the charity organization for the blind, he can’t resist helping himself to the wad of cash the next chance he gets. But wait — Myra’s not the vulnerable victim John thinks she is,” the website states.
Nelsen shared her excitement for all the upcoming performances, including the special events that are occurring during them.
There will be evening performances of “The Canterville Ghost” and “Blind Woman’s Bluff” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17; Saturday, Oct. 18; Friday, Oct. 24; and Saturday, Oct. 25. Tickets are $20 and an optional advanced add-on of charcuterie boards for different party sizes from The Wooden Spoon on Main are available for purchase.
Matinee performances will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 26. For an additional $5, a slice of pie can be purchased from OJ’s Midtown Cafe.
Both plays are directed by Nelsen, who joined the Machickanee Players after moving to Oconto during the COVID-19 pandemic and was looking for a way to volunteer with the theater when they opened back up. Having rekindled her childhood love for the theater, Nelsen directed “84 Charing Cross Road” in February and serves as the group’s president.
Up next for the Machickanee Players will be a Christmas program with a performance of the children’s book “The Shiniest Star.”
Nelson also said that the group is planning on replacing the six windows in the theater and is looking for businesses help by sponsoring a window. Each window will cost $6,500 to remove and replace.
For more information on the Machickanee Players, their upcoming productions and building projects, visit www.machickaneeplayers.com or find them on Facebook.
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