The Helltown Players Mission…

We are a collaborative of dramatists and theatre enthusiasts from the Outer Cape whose mission is to produce new plays written by Cape Cod playwrights.

Historical Precedent…

We find our inspiration from the ground-breaking endeavors of the Provincetown Players. Tired of the silly comedies and stale melodramas that dominated theatre of their day, these theatre revolutionaries began writing and staging new, homegrown plays in Provincetown in the summer of 1915. Their continued efforts gave birth to a new approach to playwriting that would soon become the backbone of the great American dramatic writing tradition.

Eugene O’Neill, Susan Glaspell, Hutchins and Neith Boyce Hapgood, John Reed, Louise Bryant, Mabel Dodge, and other visionaries created and produced plays in their homes and backyards, and in a fishing shack dangling over Provincetown Harbor on Lewis Wharf. They soon caught the attention of the world and theatre has never been the same.

Our vision is to channel the spirit and passion of these theatrical revolutionaries and produce plays written by – and performed for – the people of Cape Cod.

New Productions of Cape Cod Plays…

Helltown Players will:

  • Produce the theatrical works of playwrights who have meaningful connections to Cape Cod. 

  • Engage dramatists, performers, directors, producers, designers, technicians, promoters, and other people from the Cape Cod community who wish to collaborate on these theatrical endeavors. 

  • Create a welcoming atmosphere that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all our endeavors.

  • Offer courses, seminars, festivals, and playwriting labs that will engage dramatists and theatre enthusiasts within the Cape Cod community and beyond.

  • Collaborate with theatres, arts organizations, and performance venues on Cape and off to develop and promote the works of Cape Cod playwrights.

All in the Details…

Helltown Players was founded in the Spring of 2023 by eight playwrights and theatre enthusiasts with Outer Cape connections who wished to support local, home-grown theatre. These eight playwrights are the trustees of the organization. Helltown Players is a registered non-profit corporation with the State of Massachusetts. Helltown Players is a registered tax-exempt non-profit under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS).

Join Us…

You are welcome to join us in our theatrical endeavors. We will need your help to pull it off! How you can help:

  • Donate to the cause. We are a non-profit and need financial assistance.

  • Become a sponsor. Partner with us and we will help you promote your business or organization.

  • Become a Hellion by providing financial assistance or by volunteering in some way to help us get our shows and artistic programs up and running.

  • Attend our events, seminars, readings, and plays. Discover the details by checking out our Community Engagement page.

  • Get involved artistically. Would you like to attend a seminar or class dedicated o the art of playwriting? Would you like to apply to an open spot in our Playwright Lab? Do you think you have a play that merits our review? Check out Playwright Resources.

There are dozens of ways for you to participate in our mission. Reach out and let us know your ideas!

Helltown • (hEl / tOUn) • noun

1. The name given to Provincetown by the Puritans, who regarded it as a wicked, outlaw community beyond their narrow-minded influence. “If you want to have fun, take a trip out to Helltown.”

2. The narrow strip of land located at the extreme east end of Provincetown. The Pilgrims first stepped foot in North America on this stretch of sand. “Most of the original homes in Provincetown were located in Helltown before they were placed on barges and ‘floated’ across the harbor to where they stand now. That’s why these homes are called ‘Original Floaters.’”

Scene from a production by the Provincetown Players of Paul Green's “In Abraham's Bosom.” The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection

Scene from a production by the Provincetown Players of Paul Green's “In Abraham's Bosom.” The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection

Bonnie Fairbanks and Bill Salem performing in “Double D” written and directed by Jim Dalglish - one of the six plays in “Little Devils - six plays by the Helltown Players. Performances: Feb. 8 - 18, 2024 at the Provincetown Theater and Feb. 29 - March 10 at the Academy Playhouse.

Joanne Callum Powers and Wil Moser in “19DEF” written and directed by Ian Ryan- one of the six plays in “Little Devils - six plays by the Helltown Players. Performances: February 8 - 18, 2024 at the Provincetown Theater and February 29 - March 10, 2024 at the Academy Playhouse.