The 2008 NCTC Community Theatre Award will be presented to Theatre Charlotte

Charlotte, NC---Each year, the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Theatre Conference seeks nominations from the membership for the NCTC Excellence Awards. Upon a vote of the Board of Directors and Past Presidents, the awards are presented to companies, schools, and individuals that have exhibited leadership roles in their community, as well as artistic, professional, or educational excellence.

In selecting Theatre Charlotte, Angela Hays, Executive Director states, “Theatre Charlotte distributes excellence in its high-quality performances that reach its community in new and exciting ways.”  In addition to the Main Stage Series of 5 productions with popular appeal, Theatre Charlotte presents Teatro Latin0--staged readings of Hispanic plays, performed in Spanish with English super titles; Just Do It--a monthly themed showcase of scenes from new plays, poetry, novels, photography, short stories and film; and Stage 501, a series of 2 to 4 works from the contemporary classical catalogue—by writers such as Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter—as well as plays written by writers from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds, such as “Yellowman” by Dael Orlandersmith and “Having Our Say,” the story of the Delaney sisters, adapted by Emily Mann.  “Having Our Say” was presented in collaboration with Charlotte’s Afro-American Cultural Center.  Theatre Charlotte also sponsors Playwrights in Progress, a group of 10 local writers, who meet monthly to provide feedback on each others’ work.  Theatre Charlotte annually produces 9 x 9 x 9, consisting of 9 new 9 minute plays written by 9 members of Playwrights in Progress.  Theatre Charlotte Executive Director Ron Law said, “Theatre Charlotte is committed to supporting local writers and new work through Playwrights in Progress and Just Do It.”  Theatre Charlotte is the oldest arts organization in Charlotte, having celebrated its 80th season anniversary during 2007-2008.  “We had a banner season for our 80th,” stated Law.  “We played to 87% capacity for the entire season with two productions completely sold out—“Walking Across Egypt,” adapted by Reid Leonard from the novel by Clyde Edgerton performed to 103% capacity and “The Diary of Anne Frank,” adapted by Wendy Kesselman from the original script by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, performed to 100% capacity.”  Law went on to say, “Godspell, our opening production of 2008-2009, finished as the third highest-grossing musical in Theatre Charlotte’s history and “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” was the highest-grossing production in the November slot since I started at the Theatre in 2005.  We have high hopes for our second annual presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted from Dickens by Doris Baizley and back by popular demand.  ‘A Christmas Carol’ performs six times, December 4 through 7, 2008.”

NCTC Executive Director, Angie Hays commented, “Executive Director Ron Law is a leader amongst his peers, serving on the Board of Directors for the Metrolina Theatre Association and as Vice-President/President-Elect of the NCTC Board of Directors.  Ron also travels the state, presenting seminars on board development and other leadership issues, including his presentations at the NCTC Producing Theatre Gathering, the annual SETC Board Retreat and in January at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, NC.  The NCTC awards have been presented since 1985 and Theatre Charlotte has received the Community Theatre honor a record three times - in 1987, 1999, and now in 2008.  No other organization or individual has been recognized more than twice.”

Hays went on to say, "Theatre Charlotte continuously demonstrates excellence through performance and community outreach.  It is an honor to work with Ron Law and his extraordinary staff and an even bigger honor to be able to recognize Theatre Charlotte with the 2008 NCTC Community Theatre Award."

Theatre Charlotte is Charlotte’s community theatre and the oldest continuously producing community theatre in North Carolina.  Theatre Charlotte is dedicated to creating outstanding theatre opportunities relevant to the people of the Charlotte region.  The Theatre is committed to making theatre relevant in the lives of more people by demonstrating that theatre entertains, inspires, engages and unites community.