Theatre In The Park: A Raleigh Tradition

Every December, generations of Raleigh area families make it a point to see Theatre In The Park’s production of “A Christmas Carol” with legendary actor Ira David Wood III. The show has become an institution for decades and will continue to be a tradition for future generations to enjoy.

However, there is more to Theatre In The Park than its popular Christmas production. The internationally acclaimed company presents a wide range of comedy, contemporary drama, musicals and Shakespearean plays throughout the year at its indoor 240-seat venue, the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre. The theatre is located on the northern end of Pullen Park at 107 Pullen Road. Theatre In The Park also offers classes and workshops. More than 40,000 people attend programming at Theatre In The Park.

"One thing I have to constantly tell people, especially newcomers to the area, is that we are indoors," said a smiling Brent Simpson, program marketing director at Theatre In The Park. “They will call during the winter and ask, ‘Ok, what should I do (to stay warm) if I come to a play.’ I tell them we are not outdoors but we are an indoor facility with heat. We have a very strong following.”

Theatre In The Park has been awarded the Raleigh Medal of Arts, the City’s highest arts honor. Mr. Wood himself is the only two-time winner of the Medal of Arts.

Originally chartered in 1947, Theatre In The Park began as The Children’s Theatre of Raleigh Inc. In the early 1970s, the name was changed to Theatre In The Park to reflect its expanded programming, location and new home in the former National Guard Armory building in historic Pullen Park. In 2004, the building was renamed to honor Mr. Wood, who serves as the theatre’s executive and artistic director.

Theatre In The Park first performed “A Christmas Carol” in 1974 in the Pullen Park Theatre before moving to its current performance location at the more spacious Memorial Auditorium in Downtown Raleigh. A 40th anniversary celebration of the production will take place in 2014. Details are being worked out but the play may be taken on the road to other venues in the South, Mr. Simpson said. Of course, there will be performances in hometown Raleigh.

The mission of Theatre In the Park organization is:

“To provide a quality theatre experience to a diverse audience base in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. Further, to offer the public an opportunity to see and participate in high quality dramatic classes and productions. Theatre In The Park’s mission also includes involving the community in the creation and development of live theatre to nurture a general appreciation and respect for the arts.”

“We want the community to not just come out and see the arts but to participate in the arts,” Mr. Simpson said.

Though not everyone is suited to be an actor or playwright, there are many roles people can play to help advance the arts. Like many other arts organizations and agencies in the Capital City, Theatre In The Park is supported by a countless number of volunteers who build sets, serve as ushers or do other duties to help out.

“We could not function without our volunteers,” Mr. Simpson said. “They play a vital role in all of this and do so much for the theatre.”

Theatre In the Park has a volunteer board of directors and eight paid full-time staff members. It is funded in part by the City of Raleigh. In the City’s current budget, which fully funds the arts at $4.50 per capita, $39,500 is allocated to Theatre In The Park. Also over the years, the City has leased the theatre building to the organization for a nominal fee of $1 a year.

“We very much appreciate the City funding,” Mr. Simpson said. “We couldn’t operate without it.”

A non-profit organization, Theatre In the Park also receives funding support from corporations and individuals.