Reorganized in March 1984, The Piney Woods Players originated from the Pine Tree Players formed in 1974 by Helen Malone, Judy Blackstock, and Ruth Hollenbeck which put on an annual event for Polk County's Pine Cone Festival. These events featured historical themed shows depicting actual events in the County's history.

These programs featured original scripts performed by local talent and were directed primarily by Ruth Bass Hollenbeck. In September of 1984, The Piney Woods Players presented its first 3-act comedy, Never Too Late, under the direction of Mr. Howard Kuscher, a professional actor-director. The performance was met by an enthusiastic audience. Following this success , the club presented a reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the First Methodist Church. This reading has continued to be an annual event with local churches during the Christmas season. In September 1986, Mr. Kuscher recruited eight local singers, including Judge John Thompson and Mayor Ben R. Ogletree, for the first Music Dinner Theater. It was performed at Camp Cho-Yeh, was an instant hit , and continues as an annual event.

In addition to 3-act comedies, readings of A Christmas Carol , and the Music Dinner Theater, The Piney Woods Players provides vocal talent for various groups throughout the year.

It also presents an annual Summer Workshop, open to Livingston area youth.

The Piney Woods Players has provided annual scholarships to graduates of Livingston High School since its inception in 1984. Based on a fifteen thousand dollar endowment made to Angelina College in 1999, the association has ensured a continued scholarship in its name. All students who attend Angelina College are eligible for this scholarship, with Polk County graduates given preference in selection.

We were very pleased to award the 2003 scholarship to Ms. Brianna Straut , a graduate of Livingston High School,...and in 2004 the scholarship was awarded to Cody Murphy, also a graduate of Livingston High School!

In 2006 we were pleased to increase our scholarship awards to two deserving students: James Bilnoski and Andra Harlow.

The 2007 proud recipients were Kameron Guerrero and Jane Parmelly,...each received an award of $1500.

As a Non-Profit Corporation in the state of Texas,it is our goal and dream to build a theater for the arts to be located in the Livingston area…one site being considered is Pedigo Park. It is our hope that through grants, endowments, and donations we will bring this to reality in the future…!

Our mission is to promote cultural growth in the community through the advancement of the theater arts for both youth and adults…to provide diverse entertainment for the entire community…and to continue to offer scholarships to qualified students to pursue education in the theater arts.

Virtually all of our proceeds go to our scholarship fund for students in the polk county area,we welcome any and all students to apply each year...!