Since our beginning in 1971 with the production of Camelot, Rutherford County Arts Council has always had a special commitment to producing high quality drama using local performers of all ages. All of our productions are open to anyone who wishes to participate––actors of all ages are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. In addition to drama, we also offer programs providing opportunities to learn about and participate in film, visual arts, and writing.
Last year, our big "summer musical" was Cats, a huge success featuring a large cast of all ages, and the previous summer we did Oliver with an even larger cast to great success. These shows are performed at The Foundation Performing Arts Center on the Isothermal Community College campus.
In addition to large Broadway musicals, we also produce two major children's musicals each year (on children's themes, but using actors of all ages, as we do in all our shows). We just finished Storybook Parade, and last year we did Cinderella and Aesop and His Fabulous Fables. These large productions are performed at The Foundation Performing Arts Center.
Each year we produce a Christmas show. Last year we did A Medieval Christmas outdoors in Globe Park, and the previous two years, we produced Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at The Foundation. We also produce (and sometimes tour) Shakespeare, Chaucer, other classics, and original works.
Rutherford County Arts Council, 1 Shakespeare Drive, Forest City, NC 28043
Phone 828/245-4000, FAX 828/245-8000, email arts@blueridge.net
The Arts Council provides multi-arts programming, including drama, for the Rutherford County Schools. Efforts are underway to extend this service to all elementary and middle schools which may desire it.
During the summer, the Arts Council offers a three-week arts camp which is heavy on drama, but includes other arts activities as well. This summer's arts camp info.
Each spring, the Arts Council sponsors the Young Artists Competition and the Young Writers Competition for students in grades 3 - 12. Winning artists and winning writers receive cash prizes and are exhibited at the countywide YouthArts Festival and on the Arts Council's website. Entry forms may be obtained from individual schools or from the Arts Council.
The Arts Council offers movie workshops in the summer and as a part of the 21st Century After School Program (currently available at five participating elementary schools). Children learn their way around a movie set, and are introduced to the basics of movie-making. Short (5 - 15 minute) movies are the end-product.
The YouthFilm program gives opportunities for youth of all ages to work on and/or perform in a professionally directed movie during the summer. Previous YouthFilm movies include the 30-minute folktale, Ol' Fire Dragoman, and the feature-length adventure film, Long Way Home––A Southern Odyssey.
