A local theater group turned a musical comedy into serious community impact this summer — raising $9,000 for the Ovid Fire Department.
The Between the Lakes Community Service Players presented the check on Sept. 11, following a community 9/11 commemoration. The donation, raised through ticket sales, patron support, refreshment donations, and a basket raffle from their production of Something Rotten!, is the largest in the group’s 21-year history.
“Partnering with the Ovid Fire Department this year was an easy decision for us,” said Artistic Director Tina Coville-Bauder. “The courage and selflessness shown by the members of the department and other area emergency responders to the January fire in Ovid was heroic and an inspiration to us all.”
The funds will help the department replace equipment lost or damaged in that fire.
Theater with a mission
Founded in 2004, the Between the Lakes Community Service Players (BTLCSP) pairs each summer production with a local nonprofit partner. A portion of the show’s proceeds goes directly to that group. Since launching, they’ve donated over $50,000 to area causes and awarded scholarships to Seneca County students pursuing music, theater, or service careers.
The group was honored in 2023 by the Theatre Association of New York State for 19 years of “quality productions and fundraising for local charities.”
The Nelson Delavan Foundation has supported the company’s production costs since its early days — making these donations possible year after year.
Looking ahead
BTLCSP will take 2026 off from full productions but plans to host a one-week Youth Theatre Camp in July. Their next mainstage show will return in 2027.
Local groups interested in partnering for future seasons — or families with youth interested in camp — can contact Tina Coville-Bauder at [email protected].
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