WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.: The Piedmont Shakespeare Company, a new nonprofit organization founded by theatre professionals and faculty members at University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Elon University, has announced plans to offer live professional Shakespearean theatre at various outdoor venues in the Piedmont Triad beginning in summer 2025. The Piedmont Shakespeare Company will provide performances at no cost to audiences in an effort to make Shakespeare accessible to all.
The new company is headed by three veteran producers of theatre. Carl Forsman, a professor at the School of Drama at UNCSA, and Kim Shively, associate professor of drama at Elon, will serve as co-artistic directors. David McGraw, associate professor of arts administration, will serve as executive director.
“We can’t wait to bring to the Triad a new theatre that carries on the proud tradition established by the NC Shakespeare Festival, of performing Shakespeare’s works here in North Carolina, with a focus on making the plays exciting, relevant, and accessible,” said Forsman in a statement. “So many communities across America have summer Shakespeare theatres—we think that our region deserves one too.”
The Piedmont Triad region has a long history of live theatre, but the closures of companies such as the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and Triad Stage have left the area with what Piedmont Shakes leaders see as unmet demand for high-quality theatre for audiences and work opportunities for local professional artists. Among the commitments of the new venture: to making theatre accessible and help rebuild the arts ecosystem.
“From opportunities to build community organization partnerships to audience engagement and discussion connecting on the production’s themes, Piedmont Shakes will be a place to connect friends, neighbors, and communities,” said Shively in a statement. “This initiative will strengthen the ties between the arts and local organizations, fostering a culture of collaboration, support, and shared purpose in the Piedmont region.”
Another key mission of the company will be a commitment to connecting Piedmont Triad communities, with initial focus on summer 2025 performances in Alamance, Guilford, and Forsyth counties. Dates, venues, and additional details will be announced in early 2025.
