The Backstreet Players theatre troupe in Junction is attracting audiences from around the area. “Come along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway” whispers a popular song, but in the Hill Country it fairly shouts.

In 2000, about six local people had an idea, placed an ad in the newspaper and held a meeting for those interested in starting a community theatre. Within months, a dinner theatre production of Who Dunnit was performed at the Kimble Senior Citizens Center.

In 2001 the organization was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit officially called The Junction Backstreet Players Community Theater, Inc. Throughout the years the name has been spelled numerous ways, but no matter how you spell it or what acronym you use, BP is united in its dedication to bringing performing arts to the area.

The group continued, using various locations, and then in January 2003, moved into their very own building on Main Street. Originally constructed as a restaurant, the metal building had been painted and appropriately renamed The Red Barn. Local business owners John and Kathy Cashman generously donated the building to the BP. According to Board of Directors President Betty Byars, “since receiving this wonderful gift, we have added on two dressing rooms with restrooms and replaced the existing air conditioning and heating unit. This was accomplished with grants from the Tourism Board and the Junction Economic Development Corporation. We have also received generous donations from businesses in the community and many hours of volunteer labor”.

Workers altered the main room by building a stage and installing professional lighting and sound systems. The house seats 70 for regular shows and 50 for dinner theatre productions.

JoElla Bolt has most often directed BP productions. A graduate of the University of Houston with a double major in drama and speech with special emphasis on theatre, Bolt taught speech and drama at Gregory-Portland High School and Junc ...

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