111 East Washington Street
P. O. Box 635
Rockingham, N.C. 28380
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The
Richmond Community Theatre came into existence in 1977 and
produces 3
mainstage productions every year. It is one of longest operative community
theatres in the state of NC. In a published article, the Richmond Community
Theatre is the fifth oldest producing theatre behind
theatres in
Raleigh, Hickory, Charlotte, and Wilmington, NC. When population size
was included, there was no statewide comparison that equaled our percentage
of attendance.
  The Theatre was converted from the remains of "The Strand"
movie theater. It was given to the City of Rockingham. After 4 "phases"
of renovation which included building the stage, rebuilding the
balcony, and creating the Theatre's outside facade; the Theatre
acquired and adapted the "Journal Stationary Store" which now serves as
our reception area, costuming, makeup, and stage property room.The theatre also acquired the "Old Rescue Squad" building which now stores the Theatre's scenery items. From the reuse of past scenery the cost of presenting productions has been lessened and admission prices have remained low. The Richmond Community Theatre has presented 83 major presentations and 39 Children's Theatre presentations before more than 100,000 people. Beginning in the summer of 2003, the Richmond Community Theatre building was used to show children’s movies during Arts and Agriculture. The weekend event is held Saturday mornings on Harrington Square in front of the Theatre building. The Rockingham Downtown Corporation has agreed to install a permanent video screen that will be used for movies. This installation is expected to be completed during the summer of 2004. The Downtown Corporation will present movies during downtime between stage productions. The Richmond Community Theatre experience can be incredibly positive for the people involved. Participants gain a variety of individual resiliency skills, and a positive sense of purpose and belonging to a group which contributes to their own well-being. Participants also serve as positive role models for others. Principles: • To create community programs of
entertainment, which respond to the wishes and needs of the targeted
community areas of Richmond and surrounding counties.
• To ensure that these programs is as accessible as possible. • To provide activities which: encourage individual growth
promote mental health increase participant's communication skills, team sense, confidence and mobility stimulate creativity and the imagination • To ensure that the programming is
both challenging and enjoyable.
• To increase participants' theatre skills. • To raise the profile of Richmond Community Theatre within the targeted areas. • To ensure that the programming is run in line with good equal opportunities practice. Research (Bright Futures Report 1999) has shown that young people and adults are negatively affected by stress, which can lead to disaffection within school and society. It has been suggested that the creative arts can play a role in promoting social inclusion. Richmond Community Theatre has embraced this model in their work and maintains it as part of their values. 
If you have ever visited the rest rooms above the lobby of the Theatre, you may have noticed that the floor is slanted. There is an explanation on the wall. Since your reason for being up stiars is to use the rest room, you may have been in a hurry and did not get a chance to read the explaination. So, below, we have provided the information to be read under more comfortable circumstances.
       For additional information please call or write: Richmond Community Theater P.O. Box 635 Rockingham, N.C. 28380 (910) 997-3765 Copyright 1997-2005 - Richmond Community Theatre (RCT) This page was made available by contributions from the Richmond Community Theatre Board Members. |
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