Established in 1974....Sock & Buskin Community Theatre is a volunteer group whose purpose is to produce, perform, and introduce theater to the community by utilizing local talent and resources.

In April, 1974, a small group of people produced the play entitled "The Fantasticks." Little did they know that community theater in Sidney would catch on. In the fall of that same year, the group signed papers and filed them with the State of Ohio creating the non-profit organization called Sock & Buskin Players, now known as Sock & Buskin Community Theatre.

The name Sock & Buskin comes from the Greek stage. The "sock" was a light shoe worn in Greek comedies, while the "buskin" was a laced boot worn in Greek tragedies.

Through the years, the group has performed in various venues indoors and outdoors including Central Elementary, Bridgeview Middle School, Sidney High School, Shelby County Fairgrounds, Hickory Hills, Shelby County Childrens' Home, Sidney Elks Lodge, Cameo Theatre, Sidney Holiday Inn, and The Fairington Restaurant

Audiences may remember the beautifully-dressed cast of "Hello Dolly!" directed by the late George Martin in 1983 or even the two-person cast of "Same Time, Next Year" in 1988. There was the fun production of "Little Mary Sunshine" in 1985 performed on the stage at Hickory Hills long before Country Concert was one of the biggest outdoor productions in Shelby County.

In 1987, the old Childrens' Home building was transformed into a small 55-seat theatre. Theater members even wrote some original scripts exclusively for Sock & Buskin. The first was "Christmas at our Home" in 1989, "A Star in the Window" done in December 1990, and then "WSNB Radio Hour" in 1991 which earned seven awards for the announcers, sound effects, set elements, and trio of singers at the Ohio Community Theatre Association's (OCTA) West Regional festival that year.

In 1992, an excerpt of "Steel Magnolias" was presented at OCTA's West Regional festival and reaped acting rewards for Vickie Blanford and Alyson Morris.

An excerpt of "Nunsense" was presented at the 1993 West Regional festival with Robin Denaro, Becki Given, and Judi Boyd receiving acting awards while Pat Barlage received an honorable mention for directing.

1995 brought a change for the group as the County Commissioners decided to tear down the Childrens' Home building, thus forcing a move of the costumes and props to a vacant apartment on North Main Avenue generously donated by Don Lochard. In 2005, costumes, props, set, and furniture were moved to other locations.

The late Judy Widney was the first recipient of the Sock & Buskin Achievement Award in 1990 for her years of dedication to promoting theater arts in Shelby County. The 1991 Award was presented posthumously to George Martin. Subsequent awards were presented to J. Oliver and Peg Amos, Kent Smith, Christi Thomas, Shelby Manufacturing, and David and Sherrie Casad-Lodge.

Community Theatre has something for everyone and has a never-ending list of jobs. The most frequent comment heard is "I have no talent." Yet, everyone has a skill or experience that could be used. Not only are actors needed, but for every person on stage there is aneed for at least a half dozen behind the scenes. It takes a special blend of dedication and fortitude, but back stage is also full of heros and the rewards, excitement, and satisfaction are great!

Everyone is invited to join in the fun. To learn more about Sock & Buskin, check out all aspects of this website, write P.O. Box 743, Sidney, Ohio, or contact Christi Thomas, 937-492-3823, clthomas@bright.net.

See our latest newsletter: July Marquee or the Northwest OCTA newsletter: