WFAE Hosts Community Theater Panel in Charlotte

Panel participants, from left to right: Mike Collins, host of Charlotte Talks, Ron Law from Theatre Charlotte, Matt Merrell from Davidson Community Players, Ginger Heath from Union County Playmakers and John Rambo from Hickory Community Players.

Mike Collins and four of our most talented directors gathered on the stage at Theatre Charlotte to tape a broadcast for WFAE’s Charlotte Talks in December of 2014.

 Matt Merrell and Ron Law 

Mike was charming as usual and led the group through questions and answers about the how, when and why of community theater in our city and surrounding areas.

There are approximately 7000 community theaters in the country and Charlotte boasts possibly the oldest longest running theater, Theatre Charlotte. Ron Law offered some great information and statistics about community theater that surprised and delighted the capacity crowd of actors, directors, young actors from NC School of the Arts and surrounding theaters.

Matt Merrill of Davidson Community Players, Ginger Heath, who is forming a new group this year, the Union City Playmakers and John Rambo with the Hickory Community Theater were all present and had plenty to say about this truly grass roots art form.

Community theater is made possible by volunteers, donations and local businesses. About 50% of funding is provided through the Arts and Science Council (85% of that is through contributions from folks like you), and 50% comes from ticket sales and concessions.

Ginger Heath

Then there was the conversation about the quality of the plays, the subject matter, and the impact local theater has on our children.

Piedmont Players in Salisbury perform plays that take audiences out their comfort zone

In all, the forum for community theater was a huge success, answering questions and providing information for us all.

The panel was recorded live for Charlotte Talks host Mike Collins, at Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. You can listen to the entire broadcast on the WFAE.org website, Charlotte Talks Dec 9th 2014.