The Tar River Players were founded in July, 2005, by current president, Roberta
Cashwell, following her return to her hometown, Tarboro, NC. Ms. Cashwell
received her BA in Drama and English from Vassar College, her MA in Creative
Writing from Boston University, and her MFA in Theatre Arts from the Dallas
Theater Center, Trinity University. Involved in theater for over 45 years, she
has performed or worked in over 65 professional, academic, regional, and
community productions from Dallas to New York.
The troupe’s mission is to provide the highest quality theatrical productions to
Tarboro and its surrounding communities.
The performance season includes 4 shows, beginning in the fall and ending with a
large-cast, family-focused production in the summer. Completing its 7th season
in June 2012 with The Sound of Music, the Players have produced 24 shows
and three summer theatre programs for children, ages 3 -15 since the fall of
2005. All auditions, rehearsals and performances are in McIntyre Auditorium or
Keihin Concert Hall, Edgecombe Community College, 2009 West Wilson Street,
Tarboro, North Carolina, 27886.
Most members of the troupe live in Edgecombe and neighboring counties, but
membership is not limited by geography. Visiting artists have traveled from as
far as California to participate in Tar River Players productions.
Situated in the historic town of Tarboro in eastern North Carolina, the Tar
River Players take their name from the river on which the town was settled.
Incorporated in 1760, Tarboro celebrated its 250th birthday in 2010. Members of
the theatre troupe helped commemorate the occasion by participating in the
Edgecombe Community Chorus performance in Keihin Concert Hall, Edgecombe
Community College.
As a non-profit organization affiliated with the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts
Council (ECCAC), the Tar River Players welcome contributions, both monetary and
in-kind. For more information, contact the Tar River Players, c/o Roberta
Cashwell, recashwell@gmail.com.
The Tar River Players have been the recipients of seven Grassroots Grants from
the North Carolina Arts Council and the Edgecombe County Arts Council and two
educational grants from the ECCAC Arts Education Fund.
We thank the community for its ongoing support and patronage.
