In September 1927, Dr. Paul Squire, a local physician, invited a group of Sandusky men and women passionate about the advancement of culture to a meeting in McKittrick’s Tea Room on East Adams Street.

From that meeting emerged an organization that has entertained our area for over three-quarters of a century: Harlequins Community Theatre.

In the beginning, Harlequins had no permanent home. Performances were held in churches, a warehouse, an attic, and several local schools. Eventually, Harlequins found its present home in the coach house of the historic mansion at 414 Wayne Street.

The intimate 97-seat space was first leased as a work area in 1940, with the first production held there in 1958. Before that first show, Harlequins members removed horse stalls, laid a concrete floor, erected an addition to provide the stage area, and converted the loft into a green room and storage space for costumes and props.

Today, Harlequins is the oldest continuously running community theatre in Ohio. We are a non-profit, volunteer organization affiliated with the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) and the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT). We produce three to four shows each year between November and May, with most shows performed six times over two weekends.

Harlequins provides a theatrical experience that demonstrates the vital importance of arts appreciation to many individuals in Erie County and the surrounding area. We often recruit young people from local schools for various shows, giving them an invaluable experience in achievement, commitment, and responsibility.

The next time you attend one of our shows, take a moment to appreciate the dedication, talent, and sincere desire to please our audiences that goes on behind the scenes.