Thalian Association Community Theatre was founded in 1788 to provide arts education and bring the excitement of the performing arts to Wilmington, North Carolina. In that year wealthy planter James Innes left his estate as a legacy to start the first free school in North Carolina. Prominent Wilmington citizens form themselves into Thalian Association Community Theatre, to produce theatrical productions and provide income for the school, later known as Innes Academy.
In 2007, the North Carolina legislature named the Thalian Association Community Theatre the Official Community Theater of North Carolina. In an official ceremony held in Wilmington, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall emphasized that our organization's prestigious title was not a distinction given lightly. "This is truly unique," Marshall said. "But what this really means is that it's honoring a tradition of inspiring people, helping children, healing a community, all the things that the performing arts and an association to support that can mean."
Thalian Association Community Theatre is now a non-profit, membership organization that's dedicated to enhancing the rich artistic environment of the Cape Fear region. Our 231-year history of nurturing the civic, cultural and social life of Wilmington continues today with our theatrical productions on multiple stages, civic contributions and community outreach programs:
- Five community theatre productions annually on the Main Stage of Historic Thalian Hall plus shows in other venues like the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, Leland Cultural Arts Center, Scottish Rite Temple, and the Erin McNeill Fine Arts Center at Cape Fear Academy
- Free theatre training and performance opportunities with auditions open to everyone for youth ages 7 through high school senior, and present five youth theatre shows annually at the HBHUSO/Community Arts Center
- Affordable theatre arts education classes for area children with scholarship opportunities upon request
- Donn Ansell and Pat Hingle scholarships to deserving high school seniors
- Free Theatre 4 Change classes every week at the Community Boys & Girls Club, Brigade Boys & Girls Club, the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW), and in 2019, the YWCA
- Free special school performances of Youth Theatre productions to the students of A.H. Snipes Academy of Arts & Design, Sunset Park Elementary, and The International School at Gregory
- Free Sensory Friendly Performances for NHCS Elementary, Middle, and High School students
- Invited guest dress rehearsals of Youth Theatre productions for NHCS Elementary and Middle School students, and principals
- Management of the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington, offering rehearsal and classroom space at little to no charge for visual and performance arts as well as partnering with other organizations for community events
- Creative Arts Camp every summer at the Community Arts Center, one of the most affordable and popular theatre and visual arts camps in the area
- Host the annual High School Students Art Exhibition and the Official NC Azalea Festival Children’s Art Contest at the Community Arts Center
- ARTfall Exhibition at the Community Arts Center, every September as part of American Craft Walk Wilmington
- Orange Street Arts Festival every year on Memorial Day weekend, one of the largest springtime arts festivals in the Southeast and a Wilmington tradition since 1995
