Everyone knows about Broadway. The Mecca avenue for theater in the world, it showcases top talent and has played host to some of the most influential playwrights throughout history. The acting world may be giant and glamorous, yet its talent still comes from some of the hidden corners of a very different society – even Ames.

Even after 50 years, the Ames Community Theater of Recreational Services is still relatively unknown.

“It’s amazing that after 50 years, not a day goes by that I don’t run into at least one person that doesn’t know ACTORS exists,” says Geri Derner, second vice president of the ACTORS board of directors.

The group began in 1956, when a group of college and high school students, professors and other Ames residents decided the community needed an organized theater. At first, the group held performances in public venues, such as MacKay Hall, but in 1976 it built its studio at 120 Abraham Drive.

“Fabulous at Fifty” is the theme of this season at ACTORS, which will look back at past decades of performances and pull out some old favorites.

Derner says in most seasons there are at least a couple shows that are relatively unknown. Either they are new and somewhat experimental or older and just never got popular. But this year, all the shows are well known.

Derner, whose duties include marketing and promotions, thought more recognizable shows would be a good tactic to pull in extra customers.

“Most people don’t want to spend money on a show they’ve never heard of when they can just go down to the movies and see Tom Cruise or Julia Roberts and pretty much know what they’re going to get. It’s a safe bet,” Derner says. “This season, we wanted to go with recognizable titles. It’s easier for audiences to get excited.”

ACTORS currently holds about five performances a year and continues to produce shows at other venues. It tries to include at least one musical, one comedy, one drama and one children’s show, along with other workshops.

The first show this season is a musical, “The Fantastiks.” The musical originally opened in 1960 and had a historic run of 42 years. It remains the longest running musical in the world.

Lynn Lloyd, who plays Huckabee in this production, originally saw the play in 1964.

“I fell in love with it,” she says. “It’s still my favorite musical. It relates to absolutely everyone.”

Originally Lloyd’s daughter, Amanda Lloyd Julson, was to direct the show, but she was sidelined by her pregnancy. Instead, two other group members stepped in – third vice president Stacy Brothers and president Stan Rabe.

Rabe has been involved in ACTORS for a long time and served as president 20 years ago. For the past two years, however, Rabe has been occupied by work at IBM and spent time traveling around the world.

Lloyd says when Rabe was given the choice of where to permanently locate, he chose Ames.

“He’s a big IBM poobah, but he lives right up the hill,” Lloyd says. “I saw him yesterday cleaning toilets out at ACTORS.”

Lloyd, who has been involved with the group since 1979 and claims to have not missed a single show since then, says one of the things she enjoys most about it is the family atmosphere.

“I made lifelong friendships at ACTORS,” she says. “All my friends and all my family are involved.”

One of Lloyd’s daughters, who got her start at ACTORS and is now an opera singer, will be performing at Carnegie Hall this fall.

Even for those who don’t hit the big time, Lloyd says ACTORS is a very positive place for everyone, especially children.

“I think it builds self-esteem and confidence,” she says. “Doing shows at ACTORS really gives kids a sense of responsibility – we can just see them growing.”

Derner says there’s something for everyone at ACTORS.

“As theater goes, we’re very affordable and people get what they pay for,” she said. “It’s just good entertainment – local talent live.”