So much of what we do is also about the volunteer experience.Īnd that’s part of what’s really exciting about Raleigh Little Theatre is that we’re an accessible place for both people to come and see shows, because we provide a high-quality theater experience at a reasonable ticket price. We serve adults as well with acting classes. It’s also about the education programs we serve about 1,000 young people a year with summer camps, after school classes, track-out camps. The fact that we’re here and we have wonderful productions that are offered throughout the year - actually 11 plays this year it’s a mixture of straight plays, musicals, programs for kids - and really just making sure that people know we’re here and making sure they see us as a resource. Really, we’re looking to just continue to grow our audience and reach lots of people so that’s a lot of our focus, is really going to be reaching out to people in the community to make sure they know what we’re doing. It was built at the same time as the theater and in the last couple of years we haven’t been doing as much in terms of performing in this space so that’s part of it. The amphitheater is a big part of our history. Well … actually we’re standing right now in the amphitheater. Record: Well that sort of leads me to my next question, which is what are your goals for this theater?ĬP: Right. We’re actually going to be unveiling a strategic planning process in the next few months and really looking at how we can continue to grow and serve this community and what we can really accomplish over the next five years.
The theater actually celebrated its 75 th anniversary in 2011 and yes, so we’re actually at a really exciting time right now because we’re looking at starting a strategic plan. Record: So I understand, this is the - let me see if I get this right - this is the longest, excuse me, oldest continuously operating community theater in the country, is that right?ĬP: That’s right. And the opportunity to come back to the area when there’s such exciting things happening here, I couldn’t say no to that. for most of the last 10 years and when I saw this opportunity I was really excited because this theater means a lot to me. Record: So Charles, tell me, why did you apply for this job?Ĭharles Phaneuf: Well, Jennifer, I actually grew up in Raleigh and I went to high school here in North Carolina and college, and I grew up coming to this theater. I’m joined by the new executive director, Charles Phaneuf, and he’s going to tell us today a little bit about his new job. Today I’m standing in the amphitheater of Raleigh Little Theatre here in Raleigh. Welcome to this edition of Oak City Voices. I’m Jennifer Wig with the Raleigh Public Record. We spoke with Phaneuf about his Triangle roots and about his vision for the future of Raleigh Little Theatre. Phaneuf also worked as managing director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. area, where he worked as managing director of Joe’s Movement Emporium, a multidisciplinary community performing arts center. Phaneuf comes to the theater from the Washington, D.C. The theater, which began in 1936, offers community and entertainment programs year-round. Charles Phaneuf took over as Raleigh Little Theatre’s executive director last month. One of the country’s oldest continuously operating community theaters has a new leader.
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