THE HISTORY OF COUNTRY GATE PLAYERS
Founded in 1972 by West Liberty State College theater graduates and college sweethearts, Bill and Carolyn Scurato, Country Gate Players community theater is the oldest established arts organization in Warren County.
Country Gate first began as an outgrowth of the Central Warren Youth Association, but soon became an independent entity in 1973, following its first musical production, The King And I. In those early years the players relied on area schools and churches to host their productions, but as their troupe expanded, they soon outgrew those loaned community spaces.
Country Gate Players found their permanent home in June of 1977 in the then-abandoned Belvidere Movie Theater built in 1939. Under the Scuratos' direction, the players transformed the forsaken movie house into a fully operational live theater. While there was plenty to learn about running the theater, they quickly presented their first production,Camelot, in 1978 and began a legacy of live theater in Belvidere, NJ.
While the years since have not been without their challenges, Country Gate Players has consistently presented a full mainstage theater season each year and become a staple of the local arts community. Its membership that began with 9 actors in the 1970's has grown to involve many hundreds of local actors and artists, with entire families and now generations involved in Country Gate productions.
In the early 2000's, Bill and Carolyn's daughter, Gina Scurato, became Managing Director of Country Gate Players and presently oversees operation of the theater, while also directing most of the main stage productions. Many early Country Gate members, as well as their children and families are also still involved today both onstage and behind the scenes. Country Gate looks forward to another 40+ years bringing theater arts to the local community and generations to come.
