Encore Theatre Company
Our History  

The Encore Theatre Company
The Encore Theatre Company, located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, provides opportunities for those in the Albemarle region to experience and/or participate in theatrical entertainment. Its membership is made up of local actors, directors, and stage personnel who share a love for the theatre. All are welcome to join.
Past Shows

1992/93: Nunsense, The Importance of Being Earnest, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

 

1993/94: Encore Encore, Social Security, The Uninvited, Dames At Sea

 

1994/95: Oh Coward!, The Nerd, Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf

 

1995/96: A Grand Night For Singing, Mousetrap, Nunsense II

 

1996/97:  Into The Woods, Night Of January 16th, Last Of The Red Hot Lovers

 

1997/98: Cabaret, I Hate Hamlet, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown

 

1998/99: A My Name Is Alice, Pump Boys And Dinettes, What The Butler Saw

1999/00: Closer Than Ever, A Tuna Christmas, Rose

 

2000/01: More Fun Than Bowling, Steel Magnolias, Gold Dust

 

2001/02: Arsenic And Old Lace, The Taffetas, Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got The Will?

 

2002/03: Farndale ....Scrooge, Honky Tonk Highway, Life Goes On

 

2003/04: Blood Relations, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, The Foreigner

 

2004/05: Proof, Farndale Murder Mystery, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know

 

2005/06: Damn Yankees, Deathtrap, Moon Over Buffalo

2006/07: The Good Doctor, Spitfire Grill, The Odd Couple (Female Version)

2007/08: Wonder of the World, Don't Hug me, Over the river and through the woods

Our History

In the summer of 1992, a group of determined thespians got together and formed what later became Encore Theatre Company. From the beginning, ETC attracted a cross-section of the community: all ages and professions. A few had professional experience; many had no experience in theatre at all. There was no money for scripts or lights, but this small, determined band of players was committed to produce "Quality Community Theater". The fall of 1992 marked ETC's first ambitious season with the productions of Nunsense, The Importance of being Earnest and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. With a whole lot of help from the community, our first season was a great success. Each year since then, we have produced three (and sometimes four!) quality productions between September and May.

During the early years we schlepped our sets from venue to venue to perform. In 1995 we found safe haven, (no more set schlepping), upstairs over the Pasquotank Arts Council Gallery. After receiving permission from PAC to renovate the unused upstairs, members scrubbed, cleaned out, threw away, added power, lights, sound, seating, and control booth, turning this space into a 131-seat theater now known as "The Main Street Stage".

In the Summer of 1997, with the impetus of Tom Campbell, ETC began the Starlight Readers Theater program to develop new directors and help give non-members a chance to "get their feet wet" in a forgiving environment. We perform three free performances a summer on Mulligan's Deck: many shows with children's themes to encourage participation by our younger thespians.

During the past 14 years, Encore Theatre Company has presented over three dozen main productions ranging from musical comedy to farce to serious drama. Our audience has grown so that during the past three years we've performed to 97% capacity. We've also added to the number of performances per show because of increased ticket demand.

Benefactors

Our Patrons, The Pasquotank Arts Council and Elizabeth City Foundation
Through the hard work of Encore members, funds from an initial chair sale to patrons, and a grant from the Elizabeth City Foundation, Encore Theatre was able to transform an unused loft above the Pasquotank Arts Council into The Main Street Stage. The Paquotank Arts Council has continued to permit us to use the space at a very low cost, thus allowing us to use profits from shows to equip the space.

The Albemarle Players
Through the kindness of The Albemarle Players (a former Community Theater Company), we have an off-site storage facility which we use for set pieces, costumes and re-useable props.

Looking To The Future
The Pasquotank Arts Council has purchased the Chesson building in downtown Elizabeth City and is currently rasing funds to renovate it. The building, an historical landmark, includes the first professional opera stage in North Carolina. When the buidling is refurbished, the Encore Theatre Company will have access to this exciting new venue.

The Main Street Stage
613 East Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 338-3382