Antrim Playhouse: Nearly 90 Years of Community Theater

Founded in 1936, Antrim Playhouse began as a small troupe of college students performing in the basement of the Airmont School. Calling themselves The Antrim Players, they took their name from the nearby Lake Antrim and quickly earned a reputation for heartfelt performances and community spirit.In 1940, the group acquired a former community clubhouse on Spook Rock Road—originally built in 1905—and officially established the Antrim Playhouse in Suffern, New York.

The Little Theatre in the Woods

By the 1950s, Antrim had moved into a rustic Dutch-barn-turned-recreation hall nestled in the woods of Wesley Hills. Through community fundraising and bond efforts, they purchased the building in 1953, creating a home for what would become Rockland County’s longest-running community theater.

Affectionately known as the Little Theatre in the Woods, Antrim thrived through the mid-20th century, captivating audiences with beloved operettas and plays. It also served as a launching pad for future stars, including Fred Gwynne (The Munsters, My Cousin Vinny) in 1947 and Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey) in 1957.

A Legacy of Growth

From its grassroots beginnings, Antrim evolved into a thriving nonprofit arts organization, presenting high-quality productions while steadily improving its facilities. In 1979, Hollywood producers filming for NBC praised Antrim as “a little gem of a theatre,” further cementing its place in the region’s cultural fabric.

A New Chapter in Tappan

After more than 80 years in Wesley Hills, the Playhouse faced financial challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the original building was sold, and the final Suffern production—Falsettos—took its final bow.

Antrim found new life in Tappan, leasing and renovating the historic Manse Barn in partnership with the First Reformed Church. After a year of renovations, the Playhouse reopened in April 2024, now featuring a flexible, 100-seat performance space with modern lighting, sound, and amenities.

September 2024 marked the launch of Hang On, an original musical and the first of many exciting new works planned in this vibrant space.

Looking Ahead

Led by long-time board president Jim Guarasci, Antrim envisions a future that includes:

  • Drama and music therapy programs
  • Youth and family-friendly productions
  • Pop-up performances and community concerts
  • A continued commitment to high-caliber musicals, comedies, dramas, and original works

Today, Antrim Playhouse stands as a beloved Rockland County theatrical institution, nurturing talent, entertaining generations, and building a stronger, more connected community through the performing arts.