The Players Guild of Dearborn was organized in 1927 after a University of Michigan alumnae group and the Men's Club of Christ Episcopal Church had cooperated in the production of a play to raise funds for the construction of the Women's League building on the Ann Arbor campus. Members of both organizations formed the nucleus of the Guild.

The first play, The Prince Who Wore a Red Feather in His Cap, was presented December 30, 1927 at the old Dearborn High School. The cast included Gordon Eldredge, Fred Black, Mrs. Herman Kalmbach and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Snow.

Eldredge became the first President of the Guild, Clara Snow the first Vice President, and Russell Mills the first Secretary-Treasurer. Membership totaled 120 by the end of the first year. Among the early members were Richard DeCoursey, Ivadel Moore and Mr. and Mrs. Lans McCloud. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford often attended the plays.

Beginning in 1927, the Guild staged its plays in the new Dearborn Masonic Temple. Auditorium, clubroom, kitchen, set construction and storage facilities were enjoyed. It is reported fellowship reached its peak during the Depression years at the Temple. At that time, audience members had to be personally invited by a Guild member to attend a show. And new members were taken only when recommended by an established member and approved by the Guild. Membership was limited to 300, creating a three to eight year-long waiting list of prospective members. This membership practice was in effect until the 1970s when it was finally decided to open membership to everyone and not limit the number of members.

The Guild was forced to move to the auditorium at Eloise Hospital at Michigan Ave. and Merriman Rd. in 1940. It is said morale was at a low ebb during the 1940s because the Eloise auditorium was unavailable except on production nights. Meetings and rehearsals were held in homes, and sets were constructed and painted in garages and vacant buildings, then transported to the auditorium for performances.

The site of the Guild's theater was acquired in 1947, and a workshop was built on it that same year. The theater was constructed in 1949. Dr. Floyd Arnold, then President, conducted a bond sale to raise the necessary money for the construction of the theater. More bonds were sold for the addition of the clubroom in 1953. All of the bonds were retired with interest by June 1963, years ahead of schedule. With the removal of obligations to the bondholders, new bylaws were adopted in October 1963, and an elected Board of Governors was now solely responsible for the affairs of the Guild.

Another bond sale was conducted in July 1969 for the purpose of renovating the theater, installing a new lighting system for the stage and providing an air circulating system. With the renovation of the theater, the 1969-70 season offered, for the first time, reserved seats and patron season tickets for our audiences. The new lighting deck provided the desired flexibility for lighting and sound effects that are so essential in play production.

In June of 1993, President Brad Pfeifer proposed a committee be formed to investigate building an addition onto the present building to allow for first floor restrooms, increased costume/prop storage, and an office. The Renovation Steering Committee, with Brad as Chairman, began meeting on a regular basis and raising funds through member contributions, contributions from our loyal subscribers and local businesses, 50/50 raffles, sales of popcorn and an auction in April 1996. A ground breaking ceremony was held on September 24, 1995. The addition was completed and a ribbon cutting ceremony took place in May of 1996 on the opening night of the Guild's production of Dames at Sea.

After more than 70 years in Dearborn, the Guild has become a fixture in the community. Many of the patrons have been coming to productions for decades. A few members have been active in the Guild for more than forty years. Some of them remember when actors such as George Peppard (Breakfast at Tiffany's and TV's Banacek and The A-Team), Chad Everett (TV's Medical Center), and Tom Skerrit (Top Gun, Steel Magnolias, and TV's Picket Fences) made very early debuts at the Guild. Longevity of its members is what gives the Guild its rich history. And their collective experience makes it possible to create quality performances year after year.