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  We are proud to have been voted "One of the Best Arts & Entertain-ment Venues" in South Jersey for two years in a row!

History of Sketch Club Players

Sketch Club Players, Inc., started in 1933 with a group of Woodbury, NJ, citizens who had an interest in art and culture. The first members were those who enjoyed drawing and painting as well as those who were inclined toward the stage. By 1934, the fine arts aficionados dropped out and left the club to the performing artists. The first plays produced by SCP were performed in the Christ Church Parish House on Delaware Street. Club meetings were held in an old feed mill at Broad Street and Woodbury Creek that was known locally as “Purina Chow” because of the advertising painted on its wall.

The history is based on the memories of the late Donald & Helen Smith, long-time members who are sadly missed by all

The next venue for SCP was two rooms in the Green Building at the corner of Broad Street and East Centre St.
A small stage was erected in one end of a large room. Removing a wall allowed the adjoining room to become the backstage area. Space was so limited in those days that the actors sometimes had to enter or exit the stage via the fire escape! The group continued in this building until 1949 or 1950, when they were forced out by a series of trash fires in the back of the ground floor store. Rather than worry about safety, SCP relocated to a series of temporary locations, including Woodbury High School and the County Courthouse. Some plays were produced at the new West End School.

In 1951, the former West End School (built in 1889) became available. Its location in a residential area made it unsuitable for commercial use, but it was perfect for SCP's need. SCP purchased the building from the city, and with members as the unpaid laborers, remodeled the building to suit theatrical use. The two classrooms on the main floor became the stage and seating areas. Two upper-floor classrooms were made into a make-up/dressing room and an all-purpose “club room.” There is a kitchen on the second floor. Rest rooms and storage areas are in the basement. A generous donation by the Mobil Corporation of a steel beam and supports saved the day when it was realized that the wall that divided the two rooms on the first floor was the only means of support for the second floor! This building has been SCP's home since then.

SCP has produced at least one play yearly during its entire existence. Even during WWII, SCP performed plays and ran a stage door canteen for servicemen. There was even a performance at the old Rialto Theater for British War Relief! In all this time, it has remained a non-profit volunteer group, with no director, actor, or set designer ever being paid. SCP is rightly proud of the contribution it has made to the performing arts in South Jersey.

SCP hopes to keep supporting the performing arts in Gloucester County for many more years.

For a complete list of all shows performed by Sketch Club since 1933, please click here.