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Carol Wolder’s sister knew she would be a perfect volunteer for Theatre Memphis. “My sister said, ‘You’re organized and bossy. You should be a stage manager. You should call Theatre Memphis,’” Wolder recalled.
Wolder, a clinical research associate in epidemiology at St. Jude, took her sister’s advice and called the theater to offer her organizational skills. She started as assistant stage manager of “The Music Man” in 1997 and has been an active volunteer since “Theatre Memphis is like a family,” Wolder said. “There is a loving and inclusive feeling there. I’ve made amazing friends doing theatre.” Theatre Memphis is one of the oldest continuously performing community theaters in the United States, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021. The theater has garnered numerous local, state, and national awards, recognizing the professional talent level of its casts and the artistry of its sets, costumes, sound, lighting, and stage management.
“We’re nationally known for the quality of work that we do,” said Randall Hartzog, director of marketing and communications at Theatre Memphis. “I would put up our shows next to anything else you see on stage in Memphis, either national touring companies or professional companies.”
In addition to its staff, Theatre Memphis thrives with the support of more than 750 community volunteers.
“We are a community theater,” Hartzog said. “Everybody on stage and backstage is a volunteer. Quality is what we’re focused on.”
“We’re nationally known for the quality of work that we do. I would put up our shows next to anything else you see on stage in Memphis, either national touring companies or professional companies.”
Director of Marketing and Communications
Theatre Memphis
Diversity of productions is also important to Theatre Memphis. Each season begins and ends with large musical productions. In October, audiences can expect a mystery or “scary” play. “A Christmas Carol,” a longtime holiday tradition, sells out every December. The rest of the season is peppered with comedies, dramas, and often a smaller musical. To support its variety of programming, Theatre Memphis has two stages. Its main stage, the Lohrey Theatre, seats 411 people. The smaller Next Stage is a “black box” theater that seats about 110.
“We are always looking to expand who we are and be more representative of the community,” Hartzog said.
As part of this effort, Theatre Memphis began the Read to Relate program, which includes readings of up to 16 plays either written about or by people from marginalized groups.
To train volunteers for its productions, Theatre Memphis offers acting classes and workshops in set construction, painting, and sewing. Tech Academy is a program that teaches technical skills to volunteers ages 13-18. These teens can also apply their training and earn money by running lights and sound for local churches and other organizations.
Theatre Memphis offers Skillset, a similar program for adults. Youth Summer Performance Workshops are also part of community offerings, which lead to a fully staged production.
“We’re a great place to enjoy art,” said Debbie Litch, executive producer of Theatre Memphis. “You can be an actor or crew member, but being in the audience is just as important to us. The opportunities here to be on stage, backstage, or front of the house are limitless.”