WCBS, Wyoming County Bicentennial Singers, began in 1975 as a choral group of about 40 members, and soon branched out into community theater. The early musicals attracted so many players that they could be double-cast. Now the core group is much smaller, but dedicated to providing the Western New York area with high quality theater and musical events. WCBS has produced over 125 plays, musicals and
revues, from The Sound of Music in 1976 to The Odd Couple:Female Version in 2014. [See the accompanying photos of the WCBS program booklets displayed in the Warsaw Grange]. Since joining TANYS in 1986, WCBS productions have won numerous awards for acting, directing, design, and other stage craft [see accompanying list of awards] in 2008 their one-act play “Snow Stars” was chosen as the top performance at the annual TANYS Festival, also winning 6 other awards for itself, and 3 for the entire 3-play set which contained it. Two years later their one-act play “Physical Therapy” received the same honor, followed by “Peace in Our Time” in 2013, best short production at Festival. Cindy Appleton has won the J.R. Mahlstadt Director’s Award twice since 2008, an honor that is given at the discretion of the Festival Adjudicator, and no one else has won in the interim. The Arts Council for Wyoming County was formed in the same year as WCBS, and has always supported WCBS by providing Community Arts Grants, working space, performing spaces, and overall support. Many members have crossed over between both organizations at various times. In the late 1970’s the Arts Council was given the use of the Perry Town Hall, and they let WCBS use the wonderful old Vaudeville-era theater and dressing rooms [with traveling artists’ graffiti all over the walls] Unfortunately, fire in 1983 destroyed that building and all it contained. WCBS went back to roaming venues until about ten years ago when they formed a partnership with the Warsaw Grange to use their building as a permanent home/theater. WCBS assists the Grange with its fundraising activities and building maintenance, and pays them rent for productions. Children’s Theater, plays by adults for young people presented in schools and libraries, were very popular productions by WCBS. Unfortunately, lack of funding forced an end to this valuable service. In the 1980’s WCBS conducted several summer Children’s Theater Camps, where children participated in all aspects of play production. WCBS also sponsors Folk o’ the Road, a traveling musical group performing traditional and original folk music with acoustic instrumental accompaniment. Formed in 2001 and still performing, they are available for public and private venues such as farmers’ markets, libraries, senior facilities, historical societies, churches, etc. At times WCBS has presented theater workshops and daylong conferences open to the public, and sponsored concerts by outside artists. They also participate in local festivals, parades and the county fair, sponsoring the fair queen talent trophy each year. Anyone interested in any aspect of theater is welcome to join WCBS and participate in its operations.
