Tunbridge Civic Club
Tunbridge Civic Club 2011
The first minstrel show was held in 1952 and the proceeds from that show went to benefit the baseball team.
In 1953, the minstrel show cast formed the Tunbridge Civic Club in order to organize future shows and to dispense the proceeds from the ticket sales. The proceeds, after expenses, from the show are given back to the community for local causes.
Tunbridge continues to carry on the tradition of the old-time minstrel shows with the exception of blackface. They are no longer referred to as “minstrel shows” but rather the Tunbridge Civic Club Show.
During the early years of the minstrel shows, performances were brought to the Veteran’s Hospital in White River as well as the towns of Chelsea, Pomfret, South Royalton, Strafford, Thetford and, of course, Tunbridge. Presently, the shows are performed each year at the Tunbridge Town Hall only.
The annual shows of today are performed on Friday and Saturday evenings during the latter part of March.
The cast and crew work hard to bring this show to the community, with practices twice a week for six weeks. The basic criteria for participating is that you must be of high school age or older and be a current resident of Tunbridge or have been in the show as a past resident of Tunbridge.
The Tunbridge Civic Club is hosting a special Variety Show in partnership with the celebration of Tunbridge’s 250th birthday. The event will take place on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Tunbridge Town Hall. Admission is free, but donations are welcome!
In March of 2012, the Civic Club will be celebrating its 60th year and we’re hoping to pack the house on both nights for this very special event!