Actor's Theatre of Charlotte Becomes Resident Theatre Company of Queens
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (January 10, 2018) Queens University of Charlotte and Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte (ATC) are pleased to announce that ATC is now the resident theatre company of Queens. As part of a five-year agreement, ATC will produce and perform its full complete offering of programs from Queens’ Hadley Theatre. ATC will also relocate administrative and artistic offices from their current location at 2219 Freedom Drive to Queens.
ATC has been producing shows at Queens since last spring while they worked to obtain the proper permits for renovations to their Freedom Drive location. The Hadley Theatre ended up being the perfect location for ATC and inspired Executive Director Chip Decker to propose a more permanent relationship.
“I realized we had everything we needed on Queens’ campus,” said Decker. “With high-quality lighting and sound equipment, the Hadley Theatre is a wonderfully modern space to produce and perform shows. I saw a real opportunity for ATC to be based in a prime Charlotte location, while at the same time, enriching Queens’ theatre program.”
As part of the partnership, ATC will help produce Queens’ two annual student productions and students will have the opportunity to audition for parts in ATC productions. ATC will serve as a resource for internships and support of the theatre curriculum. In addition, alumni and aspiring playwrights of Queens’ Master in Fine Arts program will be able to submit scripts for ATC consideration.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to work side-by-side with professional artists and designers,” said Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences John Sisko. “This partnership with ATC creates new opportunities throughout our highly collaborative arts and humanities programs. The impact on our niche program in Arts leadership and Administration will be extraordinary.”
ATC’s patrons have been supportive of the partnership. One anonymous donor has offered a $10,000 challenge grant to assist the company with the transition. Gifts made to Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte in the next few weeks will double their impact.
This new partnership is the latest step in Queens’ commitment to its liberal arts foundation. This spring/summer, Queens will break ground on a $20+ million renovation to its current 63,000-square-foot fine arts center built in 1966. The new Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for Arts & Civic Engagement will bring more world-renowned thought leaders and cultural events to Queens and support Charlotte’s vibrant arts community.
About Queen's University of Charlotte
Nestled in a historic neighborhood just minutes from Uptown Charlotte, Queens has been providing students with transformational experiences for more than 160 years. A private, masters-level university, Queens serves more than 2,500 students in academic programs across the liberal arts and sciences as well as the professional fields of business, communication, nursing, health and education. With the city of Charlotte as an extended campus, students have the opportunity to launch into abundant internships, community service and academic partnerships. The majority of undergraduates also study internationally during their time at Queens. Queens is a unique learning environment that doesn’t ask students to choose between ideals and interests. Students are invited to be both, be more—and in so doing, leave their own mark on history.
About Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
The mission of Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte is to connect with people through the presentation of bold and innovative new works by contemporary playwrights who share our respect for language and humanity. ATC is the region’s leading professional theatre company dedicated to programming exclusively for mature audiences. Now in its 29th season, ATC has become known throughout the Carolinas as the place to see the best and brightest new plays from across the country. ATC is a member of the National New Play Network, an alliance of leading nonprofit theaters that champion the development, production and continued life of new plays.
Welcome to Season 29!
We can't wait to produce the rest of this season in our new home at The Hadley Theater! We are happy to offer another round of the local, professional, exceptional theatre you've come to expect!
by Meridith Friedman
NNPN Rolling World Premiere January 31 - February 17
The nuVoices Winner about surviving the sandwich generation and living to laugh about it.
by Katori Hall
March 15 - March 31
A play that re-imagines the night Martin Luther King spent in his hotel room before his assassination.
by David Valdes Greenwood
NNPN Rolling World Premiere April 26 - May 19
A surprisingly funny and moving story of a family finding their way through the challenges of raising a transgender teen.
by Kellen Blair & Joe Kinosian
May 31 - June 23
A zany blend of classic musical comedy and madcap mystery, this 90-minute whodunit is a highly theatrical duet loaded with killer laughs.
June 27 - June 30
Intended as a community-centered collaborative project, Public Good will be reporting on our local history and culture by using all means of documentary art.
Thank you for your continued support!
All Our Best,
The ATC Family
Actor's Theatre of Charlotte
Resident Theatre Company of
Queens University of Charlotte
704.342.2251
MEDIA CONTACT:
Queens Contact: Lisa Noakes Email: noakesl@queens.edu Direct: 704-337-2452
ATC Contact: Bennett Rich Email: bennettr@atcharlotte.org Direct: 704-342-2251 ext. 223