Three Rivers Community Players to present an otherworldly show celebrating the history of animation

Three Rivers Community Players will turn the stage into an alien presentation on animation history this weekend with “Frame by Frame: An Animation Cel-ebration,” a one-weekend fundraiser running December 12-14 at 15526 Millard Rd. in Three Rivers. 

The show, directed by longtime TRCP member and former board officer Eathan Bingaman invites audiences to experience more than a century of animation through the eyes of an unlikely guide: an alien student named Gorpy who has chosen Earth and its animated art forms as the topic of his final project. 

TRCP has been part of the Three Rivers arts landscape since 1973, often blending entertainment and education into its programing. The theater’s junior summer productions have introduced generations of young actors to the stage – including this show’s director who said those experiences were foundational to his creative life. 

“No matter age or skill level, we welcome all to audition,” Bingaman wrote to Watershed Voice. 

The idea for “Frame by Frame” has been brewing – or maybe traveling from a distant planet –  for years. The director describes it as a personal passion project shaped by the cartoons, films, and video games he loved growing up. But it also carries a contemporary touch, in an era rapidly expanding generative artificial intelligence tools, he said he wanted the project to reaffirm the value of human imagination. Not, however, in opposition to technology, but in celebration of artistic effort. Bingaman said he hopes audiences remember the skill, time, and creativity that went into a century of animation, even as new tools emerge. 

Gorphy, the alien host, gives the show its playful frame. Looking at humanity from the outside, Bingaman said, highlights just how remarkable it is that people devote such energy to things beyond basic survival – animated films, animatronics, and theme-park worlds – while also creating art that fosters joy and connection amongst earthlings. 

“If an alien like Gorpy saw us, he would be amazed at the things we’re capable of,” Bingaman wrote. 

The production promises a wide mix of media and styles: puppets, live singers and dancers, actors, and a roaming TV that plays curated clips from animation’s most recognizable eras. Bingaman noted that the show aims to resonate with viewers of all ages, capturing everything from Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia to familiar musical cues from beloved movies. Bingaman also hinted at surprises he’s been keeping under wraps. 

Behind the scenes, the production has been a “labor of love,” involving clip editing, music, script work, puppet construction, costuming, and coordinating food for specialized cabaret seating. Despite the scale, time and effort, Bingaman said he would do it again in a heartbeat. 

The show is designed to appeal to anyone who has ever loved a cartoon, theme-park ride, video game, or memorable movie tune. And, Bingaman hopes, it will inspire audiences to reconnect with creativity – whether its for the first time or a rekindling after years away from drawing, writing, or animating. 

With only one weekend of performances, Bingaman encourages residents to see the work of the “stacked” cast and crew. As one of TRCP’s major fundraisers, the event will also feature themed cabaret fare, including Popcorn Floats, Mickey Mouse Chicken Quesadillas, and a serving of “Gray Stuff…”

“Frame by Frame: An Animation Cel-ebration” runs December 12–14 at the TRCP theatre on Millard Road. For ticket information, visit here.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.