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Mark Woods and Stuart Brooks founded the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival in February of 1977 as a small, resident professional theatre company dedicated to producing the world's classics. Today, NCShakes continues to set the standard for creative excellence in theater and arts education in North Carolina. NCShakes’ mission is to entertain, educate and enrich North Carolina students and citizens with quality professional productions of the world's great plays and with in-school and life-long learning opportunities.
Since 1977, NCShakes has achieved the following:
- Mounted over 165 professional productions
- Filled nearly 2 million seats at venues statewide
- Made nearly 2,000 tour stops statewide
- Performed in schools in every North Carolina county
- Presented school matinees to over 12,000 students each year
- Presented Dickens' A Christmas Carol annually since 1977
NCShakes attracts the highest caliber actors, directors, designers and technicians from all over the United States. NCShakes is associated with Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, and operates under an agreement between the union and the League of Resident Theatres.
In 2007, NCShakes moved into its new home, Spirit Center, a 51,000 square foot performing arts campus located at the corner of West Ward Avenue and Green Street in downtown High Point. The Spirit Center campus includes classroom space, two rehearsal halls, two conference rooms, a scene shop, a costume shop, a properties shop, a green room for actors, and administrative offices for staff, directors, designers and outreach program leaders.
Spirit Center signifies a new era of artistic expression, education and outreach for the Triad and the state. The campus is a gateway to inspiring educational programs, and serves as a resource for theatre and all performing arts groups seeking costume and scenery service at reasonable rates.
NCShakes’ commitment to statewide service and artistic achievement has earned it the designation, “The State Shakespeare Festival.” It stands as a shining example of how a well-run arts organization can contribute to the cultural, educational and economic health of a community. NCShakes gratefully acknowledges the North Carolina General Assembly for this recognition. NCShakes also thanks all those who purchase tickets and contribute generously to its mission.
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