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About Theatre Raleigh
Who We Are
Theatre Raleigh is a non-profit, locally produced professional theatre company dedicated to inclusion and diversity, enriching our community through innovative and intimate theatrical experiences.Theatre Raleigh Arts Center is Theatre Raleigh's campus that includes two buildings and four performance spaces.
Executive Director
Lauren Kennedy Brady
Eric Woodall
Artistic Director
Being a Professional Non-Profit
A professional nonprofit theatre is a theatre organization whose primary mission is artistic and community-focused rather than generating profit for owners or shareholders. Any revenue the theatre earns—from ticket sales, classes, concessions, rentals, sponsorships, or donations—is reinvested back into the organization to support productions, education programs, artists, facilities, and future growth. The word professional means that the theatre employs and compensates artists, directors, designers, technicians, administrators, and other staff for their work. Professional theatres typically operate at a high artistic standard, follow industry best practices, and often work under union agreements such as Actors' Equity Association (AEA), the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), or United Scenic Artists (USA).
For Theatre Raleigh specifically, being a professional nonprofit theatre means producing Broadway-caliber work for the community while serving a larger mission: nurturing artists, educating young people, creating cultural opportunities, and enriching the region through the performing arts. Success is measured not only by financial performance, but by artistic excellence, community impact, educational outcomes, audience engagement, and the organization's ability to serve the public good.
In simple terms: a commercial theatre exists to generate profits from productions; a professional nonprofit theatre exists to create artistic, educational, and community value, using any profits to further its mission.
Our History
Theatre Raleigh grew out of the original “Hot Summer Nights at the Kennedy” Series, begun in 2005 by K.D. Kennedy Jr. and his son, Michael Kennedy. In 2009, Lauren Kennedy Brady took over the series from her father and brother, building it into a year-round professional company that she renamed Theatre Raleigh. The organization officially incorporated as a nonprofit in 2013.
In 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Theatre Raleigh moved out of Martin Marietta and created their new home, Theatre Raleigh Arts Center.Under Kennedy-Brady’s leadership, Theatre Raleigh has grown into one of the top theatre destinations in the Triangle, employing both local professionals and Broadway veterans. Now, Theatre Raleigh has expanded their campus, opened up their own Cafe in the Green Room, merged with Raleigh Act to create Theatre Raleigh Act for youth education and performances, and are continuing to perform beautiful and affordable shows for the Triangle area that consistently receive excellent reviews!
Where We Are Going
Theatre Raleigh is embarking on an ambitious evolution to gofrom a successful producing organization into a premier regional arts destination and cultural hub for the Triangle. Over the next three years, we look to expand our artistic footprint through larger-scale productions, the launch of a Second Stage series, and a continued commitment to developing new work while elevating the caliber of our productions and artists.
We are focused on growing Theatre Raleigh ACT into one of the region's leading youth training programs, creating meaningful pathways for the next generation of performers, arts leaders and arts lovers.
Through the continued growth of The Green Room, expanded educational offerings, enhanced facilities, and deeper community partnerships, we are creating a vibrant arts campus where people can gather to learn, create, connect, and experience the arts every day. At the same time, we will strengthen our financial foundation, grow our audience and donor base, invest in infrastructure and technology, and position Theatre Raleigh as a nationally recognized leader in artistic excellence, education, and community engagement.
Our vision is simple yet transformative: to create a creative home where artists, students, patrons, and community members can come together for all things arts, making Theatre Raleigh an essential part of the cultural fabric of our region.
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