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Carolina Actors Studio Theatre

Theatre company in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST) was an independent non-profit theatre company located at 2424 North Davidson Street in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was founded in 1992 by Charlotte acting instructor Ed Gilweit as an actor's teaching school. In 2000 Gilweit's company partnered with a video and stage production company run by Michael Simmons called Victory Pictures, Inc., and then with the fledgling theatre group Another Roadside Performance Company run by Robert Lee Simmons, Michael Simmons' son. Through this series of mergers, Gilweit and the Simmons' became the founders of the Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. After Gilweit's death in 2002, Michael Simmons became the Managing Artistic Director.

Formation1992
TypeTheatre Company
Headquarters2424 North Davidson,
Charlotte NC 28205
Region served
Charlotte, North Carolina
Quick facts Formation, Type ...
Carolina Actors Studio Theatre
Formation1992
TypeTheatre Company
Headquarters2424 North Davidson,
Charlotte NC 28205
Region served
Charlotte, North Carolina
Official language
English
Artistic Director
Michael R. Simmons
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CAST was noted for large-scale installations and elaborate sets with the goal of complete immersion of the audience in the reality of each play. CAST always sought to obliterate the emotional distance between the actor and spectator, a technique they called "experiential theatre". When attending a CAST performance, the experience of the spectator began from the moment they entered—or even approached—the theater.[1][2]

History

In 2006, with the help of a board of directors recruited from Charlotte's arts community, CAST received a 501(c)(3) designation.[3][4] Since 2008, CAST has also received financial support from the Arts & Science Council.[5][6]

In the summer of 2010 CAST received a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Arts & Science Council.[7] This allowed the company to move out of the cramped quarters they had occupied for eight years on Clement Avenue into a space at 2424 North Davidson in the NoDa neighborhood of Charlotte where it had all begun.[8][9] The new location at NoDa contained three theater spaces including a Thrust stage, and a Theatre in the round. For the first time in CAST history there was a spacious bar and lobby area, dressing rooms, storage rooms, a conference room, and a fully equipped scenery-building shop.[7] The new theatre was officially launched in August 2011 with a production of August: Osage County, the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Tracy Letts. It was the regional premier of that play and was a great critical success.[10][11]

Production history

The company in its several incarnations within Charlotte had a rather nomadic existence for the first five years of its existence. The first production (subUrbia) in 1998 had been at The Neighborhood Theatre at 501 East 36th Street. The company then moved successively to Ed Gilweit's CAST theatre at 3143 Cullman Avenue, the Matthews Community Center at 100 McDowell Street in nearby Matthews, the Hart-Witzen Gallery at 611 West 5th Street, and finally achieved a measure of geographical stability in January 2003 with a move to the CAST Theatre at 1118 Clement Ave where it would remain until June of 2011 when it moved to its final location, CAST Theatre at NoDa at 2424 North Davidson Street.[12]

Starting with the 2011—2012 season all productions were at the CAST Theatre at NoDa.

2013—2014 Season

2012—2013 Season

2011—2012 Season

2010—2011 Season

2009—2010 Season

2008—2009 Season

2007—2008 Season

2006—2007 Season

  • Neon Mirage by Liz Duffy Adams   Sep 21—Oct 21   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • A Tuna Christmas by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard   Dec 21—Dec 31   McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square
  • Omnium Gatherum by Theresa Rebeck and Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros   Jan 11—Feb 03   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • The Pavilion by Craig Wright   Feb 22—Mar 09   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Some Girls by Neil LaBute   Apr 12—May 12   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Topdog/Underdog by Susan-Lori Parks   May 31—Jun 16   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • American Buffalo by David Mamet   Jun 28—Jul 28   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue

2005—2006 Season

2004—2005 Season

  • The Faculty Room by Bridget Carpenter   Sep 08—Sep 28   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • A Tree With Arms by James Saba, G.I. Joe by Ben Werling   Oct 06—Oct 23   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Sans-Culottes in the Promised Land by Kirsten Greenidge   Feb 09—Feb 26   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • I'm Not Rappaport by Herb Gardner   Apr 14—May 01   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Orphans by Lyle Kessler   Jun 16—Jul 02   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Laughing Wild by Christopher Durang   Jul 14—Jul 24   Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square

2003—2004 Season

  • Kiss of the Spider Woman by John Kander and Fred Ebb   Aug 14—Aug 23   CAST Theatre at Clement Avenue
  • Finer Noble Gases by Adam Rapp   Sep 10—Sep 27   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave
  • Dear George: Letters to the President by Marcus Woollen   Oct 28   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave
  • Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet   Jan 22—Feb 05   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave
  • Laughing Wild by Christopher Durang   Feb 18—Mar 06   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave
  • White Man Dancing by Stephen Metcalfe   May 13—May 29   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave
  • Lenny's Back by Sam Bobrick and Julie Stein   Jun 16—Jul 03   Central Avenue Playhouse on Clement Ave

2002—2003 Season

2001—2002 Season

2000—2001 Season

1999—2000 Season

  • Tracers by various authors - organized by John DiFusco   Nov 03—Nov 20   The Neighborhood Theatre
  • Steambath by Bruce Jay Friedman   Apr 19—Apr 30   The Neighborhood Theatre
  • Steambath by Bruce Jay Friedman (restaged)   May 04—May 07   CAST Theatre at Cullman Avenue
  • Asylum by Arthur Kopit   Jun 1—Jun 11   CAST Theatre at Cullman Avenue
  • Oleanna by David Mamet   Jul 20—Aug 6   CAST Theatre at Cullman Avenue

1998—1999 Season

On June 6, 2014 the board of directors of CAST announced that after 64 productions and eight years of operation as a non-profit theatre, the theatre would close. Reasons cited were financial pressures and dwindling attendance.[13]

On June 21, 2014, despite winning the Charlotte Theatre of the Year award for three years running, and after a 24-year history, CAST shut its doors for what was presumed to be the last time with a final performance of Rajiv Joseph's Gruesome Playground Injuries.[14]

Revival

In 2025 Michael Simmons and CAST co-founder Dee Abdullah teamed up to revive CAST with a production of Alabaster by Audrey Cefaly at the Van Every Theatre in Charlotte. The play ran from February 27 to March 16.[15] A second play in the revival,The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy, will open at the JCSU Arts Factory (affiliated with Johnson C. Smith University) on September 11.

Awards

Creative Loafing

Creative Loafing is a publisher of newsweeklies and their associated websites focusing on local affairs, including arts and entertainment. CAST twice won Creative Loafing's Theatre of the Year Award.[16][17] CAST garnered many other awards from Creative Loafing including Best Drama and Best Director[18] in addition to many technical awards.[19] A complete list of Creative Loafing awards which CAST has won over the years is shown below.

Creative Loafing's Annual Charlotte Theatre Awards
2010[20]
  • Best Special Effects: Jeff Weeks and Robert Lee Simmons – Evie's Waltz
  • Special Award: Project Art Aid, Rosalia Torres-Weiner, and Dulce Talvares for the Lobby Art Design of Real Women Have Curves
  • 13th best play of 2010: The Elephant Man
2009[21]
  • Company of the year: for shows like Metamorphoses and Marat/Sade
  • Best Drama: Metamorphoses
  • Best Actor: Charles LaBorde – Metamorphoses (Bacchus, Poseidon, Philemon), Marat/Sade (Marquis de Sade)
  • Best Director: Michael R. Simmons – Metamorphoses
  • Best Lighting Designer: Michael R. Simmons and Camara McLaughlin – Metamorphoses
  • Best Set Designer: Robert Lee Simmons and Michael R. Simmons – Metamorphoses
  • Best Costume Designer: J. Dylan Stout, Maria Marciano, and Dot Marciano – Metamorphoses
  • Best Sound Designer – Composer: Alex Mauldin – Marat/Sade
  • Best Special Effects: Rosalyn Morris – Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (Installation Art and Middle East Artifacts)
  • Best Female Cameo: Corlis Hayes – No Exit (Valet)
  • 12th best play of 2009: Master Class
  • 7th best play of 2009: Killer Joe
  • 3rd best play of 2009: Marat/Sade
  • Best play of 2009: Metamorphoses
2007[22]
  • Company of the year: for things like Topdog/Underdog, Autobahn, and Dracula – Carolina Actors Studio Theatre
  • Theatreperson of the year: Robert Lee Simmons
  • Actor of the year: Robert Lee Simmons
  • Best Supporting Actor: Robert Lee Simmons – Omnium Gatherum (Mohammed)
  • Best Lighting Designer: Michael R. Simmons – The Pavilion and Dracula
  • Best Sound Designer: Red Davies – Omnium Gatherum
  • 4th best play of 2007: American Buffalo
  • 10th best play of 2007: Omnium Gatherum
2006[23]
  • Best Actress: Zillah Glory – On the Verge (Alexandra Cafuffle) wrong year for ours?????
  • Best Actor: Tom Scott – Rembrandt's Gift (Rembrandt Van Rijn)
  • Best Sound Designer: Michael R. Simmons and Natasha Parnian – Rembrandt's Gift
  • 12th best play of 2006: The Late Henry Moss
2005[24]
  • Theatrepersons of the year: Michael Simmons
  • Best Actor: Tom Scott – Orphans (Harold)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Jonathan Ewart – Orphans (Phillip)
  • 6th best play of 2005: Orphans
  • 10th best play of 2005: Orange Lemon Egg Canary
2004[25]
  • Best Supporting Actor: Michael R. Simmons — Glengarry Glen Ross (Dave Moss)
  • Best Sound Designer: Dean Kluesner and Michael Eld — The Faculty Room
  • 15th best play of 2004: Laughing Wild
2003[26]
  • Best Director: Michael Simmons – Finer Noble Gases
  • Best Supporting Actor: Michael Simmons – Speed-the-Plow (Charlie Fox)
  • Newcomer of the Year: Derek Gamba – Finer Noble Gases (Chase)
  • 12th best play of 2003: Kiss of the Spider Woman – Victory Pictures, Inc.
2001[27]
  • Best Actor: Alan McClintock – One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Randle P. McMurphy)
  • Special Technical Effects: Ali Gharib, Dominic Demichina, and Robert Lee Simmons – One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Video Design)
  • 9th best play of 2001: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest – Victory Pictures, Inc.
Metrolina Theatre Association

The Metrolina Theatre Association (MTA) is a Charlotte organization which gives awards each year to support and advocate for local theatre, and these awards are the major source of public recognition for theatres, shows, and individuals. In 2009 Cast won the MTA award for Theatre Company of the Year and CAST's artistic director Michael R. Simmons won the award for Theatre Person of the Year. In 2011 CAST won the MTA awards for best show, actor, actress, and director.[28] A complete list is shown below.

Metrolina Theatre Association awards
2012[29]
  • Theatre Company of the Year
  • Outstanding Production: August: Osage County
  • Outstanding Direction: Michael R. Simmons – August: Osage County
  • Outstanding Lead Actor - Female: Polly Adkins (Violet Westin) – August: Osage County
  • Outstanding Cameo: George Gray (Beverly Weston) – August: Osage County
  • Outstanding Set Design: Dee Blackburn – August: Osage County
2011[30]
  • Outstanding Production: CAST – The Elephant Man
  • Outstanding Direction: Michael Harris – The Elephant Man
  • Outstanding Lead Actor - Male: Hank West (John Merrick) – The Elephant Man
  • Outstanding Lead Actor - Female: Cynthia Farbman (Dr. Livingstone) – Agnes of God
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor - Male: Charles LaBorde (Ross/Bishop How) – The Elephant Man
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor - Female: Lauren Dortch Crozier (Sister Agnes) – Agnes of God
  • Outstanding Cameo: Karina Roberts-Caporino (Cheryl) – When You Comin' Back Red Ryder
  • Outstanding Set Design: Michael R. Simmons, Buddy Hanson, and Charles LaBorde – When You Comin' Back Red Ryder
  • Outstanding Original Musical Composition: Matt Lavin – The Elephant Man
  • Outstanding Properties Design: Buddy Hanson – When You Comin' Back Red Ryder
  • Outstanding Properties Design: Buddy Hanson, Rob Simmons, and Alexis Casanova – A Behanding in Spokane
2010[31]
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor - Male: Sidney Horton (Rooftop) – Our Lady of 121st Street
  • Outstanding Set Design: Robert Lee Simmons – Real Women Have Curves
  • Outstanding Sound Design: Jay Thomas – Welcome to the Monkey House
  • Outstanding Original Musical Composition: Alex Mauldin – Marat/Sade
  • Outstanding Choreography: Amelia Hartsell and Buddy Hanson – Marat/Sade
2009[32]
  • Theatre Company of the Year
  • Theatre Person of the Year: Michael R. Simmons
  • Outstanding Production: Foxfire
  • Outstanding Lead Actor – Male: Michael Harris (Edward) – Someone Who'll Watch Over Met
  • Outstanding Lead Actor – Female: Paula Baldwin (Annie Nations) – Foxfire
  • Outstanding Direction: Michael R. Simmons – Foxfire
  • Outstanding Lighting Design: Michael R. Simmons and Camara McLaughlin – Metamorphoses
  • Outstanding Sound Design: Alex Mauldin – Metamorphoses
  • Outstanding Set Design: Mary Courtney Blake – Foxfire
  • Outstanding Technical Effect: Robert L. Simmons and Michael R. Simmons for pool in the theatre – Metamorphoses
  • Other Exemplary Performance/Element: The Stony Lonesome Boys – atmospheric music – Foxfire
2008[33]
  • Outstanding Special Technical Effect: Jay Thomas for driving projections on the – Autobahn
  • Outstanding Exemplary Performance/Element: Michel Simmons for extended automotive design concept – Autobahn
  • Outstanding Choreography: Christy Edney and Brenda Giraldo – Limbo

Selected reviews

Selected Reviews
  • Good People[34]
  • Recent Tragic Events[35]
  • Elemeno Pea[36]
  • Assassins[37]
  • Proof[38]
  • Miss Witherspoon[39]
  • The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity[40]
  • Frost/Nixon[41]
  • 33 Variations[42]
  • Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo[43]
  • Lombardi[44]
  • The Edge of Our Bodies[45]
  • Floyd Collins[46]
  • Jack Goes Boating[47]
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde[48]
  • August: Osage County[10]
  • Neon Psalms[49]
  • Agnes of God[50]
  • A Behanding in Spokane[51]
  • When You Comin' Back Red Ryder?[52]
  • The Day They Shot John Lennon[53]
  • The Elephant Man[54]
  • Steambath[55]
  • Real Women Have Curves[56]
  • Ice Fishing on Europa[57]
  • Welcome to the Monkey House[58]
  • Evie's Waltz[59]
  • Our Lady of 121st Street[60]
  • Marat/Sade[61]
  • Master Class[62]
  • Metamorphoses[63]
  • No Exit[64]
  • Someone Who'll Watch Over Me[65]
  • Savage In Limbo[66]
  • Monster: The True Story of Frankenstein[67]
  • Foxfire[68]
  • Limbo[69]
  • Dark Play[70]
  • Edmond[71]
  • A Tuna Christmas[72]
  • Dracula[73]
  • Omnium Gatherum[74]
  • Autobahn[75]
  • The Pavilion[76]
  • Rembrandt's Gift[77]
  • On the Verge[78]
  • The Late Henry Moss[79]
  • Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge[80]
  • A Few Good Men[81]
  • The Faculty Room[82]
  • Lenny's Back[83]
  • White Men Dancing[84]
  • Glengarry Glen Ross[85]
  • Terra Nova[86]

References

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