In 1984, British-born actress, Emma Stevens formed the "Brome Lake Amateurs" a community theatrical group aimed at filling a cultural void in the Eastern Townships. The three one-act plays that were produced that season were met with great success and the enthusiastic group continued performing for the next three years in the Oddfellows' Hall, the Lakeview Hotel, Knowlton Academy, Glen Mountain and in tents at the Lions' Club Park. When the Theatre Lac Brome was built in 1988 to house the summer professional theatre season under the direction of Emma Stevens, the amateur company continued to present plays during the winter season under the direction of Emma and Danny McAuley. In 1990, the Brome Lake Amateurs registered themselves as a non-profit organization under the name of The Knowlton Players and elected an executive committee to administer its activities.
Pioneered by the likes of Emma Stevens, Danny McAuley, Lucy Hoblyn, Bill Jarand, Roger and Jean de la Mare, Steve Trew, Margo Allen, Bernice Paterson and countless others, the Knowlton Players quickly found great success in the Townships taking on numerous productions, some which rivaled professional theatre troups in terms of scale and effort.
Now in its fourth decade, Knowlton Players continues to present numerous productions through the year as well as maintain a leading role in the community. Through scholarships, bursaries and charitable donations, Knowlton Players has donated more than $100 000 over the years and shows no signs of stopping.
2023 Board of Directors
President ................................................................... Vivien Grenier
Vice-President ............................................... Katherine Jacques
Treasurer ................................................................... Rob Ossington
Publicity ............................................................... Danny McAuley
Secretary ............................................................................. Jodi Murray
Directors at Large:
Jessica Brown
Georgie Landry
Juli Peasley
Genviève Lepensée
Donald O'Hara
Brenda Code
Lucy Davis
André Taylor