Theatre Raleigh is a professional nonprofit theatre dedicated to creating bold, intimate, high-quality theatrical experiences in the heart of the Triangle. Bringing together exceptional local talent with artists from Broadway, the West End, and beyond, Theatre Raleigh produces a dynamic mix of musicals, plays, and new work while building a creative home where artists can take risks, collaborate, and do their best work.
At its core, Theatre Raleigh believes that world-class theatre can be made right here in Raleigh — with ambition, accessibility, and humanity at the center of everything we do.
OUR VISION
We believe Theatre Raleigh can be something very special.
Our dream is to build a theatre that is deeply rooted in Raleigh but has no geographical limits on its ambition — a place where extraordinary local artists work alongside some of the most exciting theatre makers in the country and the world, and where neither is treated as more important than the other.
We want artists to want to come here. We want them to feel taken care of, creatively challenged, trusted, and excited to return. We want audiences to walk into Theatre Raleigh knowing they may see a beloved musical reinvented, discover a new play or musical at the beginning of its life, or experience an artist they never imagined they would see working in such an intimate space.
We also believe how we make theatre matters just as much as what we put onstage. We want to build an organization that is ambitious without losing its humanity — one where people are treated with kindness and respect, where collaboration is valued over ego, and where artists are given the freedom and support to do exceptional work.
And we want the doors to remain open as widely as possible. That means keeping tickets accessible, creating scholarships so young people can participate regardless of financial circumstances, investing in arts education, supporting local artists, and creating pathways for the next generation to see that a life in the theatre is possible.
As Theatre Raleigh grows, we are increasingly interested in becoming a home for new work and theatrical development — a place where writers, directors, composers, designers, actors, and commercial producers can come together to take creative risks and discover what a piece wants to become.
TR LEADERSHIP
Executive Director
Lauren Kennedy Brady
Lauren Kennedy Brady is the Executive Director of Theatre Raleigh and a driving force behind its evolution from a producing theatre into a growing regional arts organization with ambitions that extend well beyond North Carolina.
A Raleigh native, Lauren spent much of her professional career in New York as a Broadway performer before returning home and turning her attention increasingly toward producing, arts leadership, education, and the development of new theatrical work. That combination of artist and producer informs the way she leads Theatre Raleigh today.
Artistic Director
Eric Woodall
Eric Woodall is the Artistic Director of Theatre Raleigh, where he leads the artistic vision of the organization, shaping its season, cultivating artists, directing productions, and helping define Theatre Raleigh’s growing role as a home for exceptional theatre in the Triangle and beyond.
A North Carolina native with more than three decades of experience in the professional theatre, Eric has built a career spanning directing, casting, performance, and artistic leadership. Before returning to North Carolina, he spent many years in New York working as a Broadway casting director, giving him a unique understanding of both sides of the creative process and an extraordinary network of artists throughout the industry.
TR LEADERSHIP
Executive Director
Lauren Kennedy Brady
Lauren Kennedy Brady is the Executive Director of Theatre Raleigh and a driving force behind its evolution from a producing theatre into a growing regional arts organization with ambitions that extend well beyond North Carolina.
A Raleigh native, Lauren spent much of her professional career in New York as a Broadway performer before returning home and turning her attention increasingly toward producing, arts leadership, education, and the development of new theatrical work. That combination of artist and producer informs the way she leads Theatre Raleigh today.
Artistic Director
Eric Woodall
Eric Woodall is the Artistic Director of Theatre Raleigh, where he leads the artistic vision of the organization, shaping its season, cultivating artists, directing productions, and helping define Theatre Raleigh’s growing role as a home for exceptional theatre in the Triangle and beyond.
A North Carolina native with more than three decades of experience in the professional theatre, Eric has built a career spanning directing, casting, performance, and artistic leadership. Before returning to North Carolina, he spent many years in New York working as a Broadway casting director, giving him a unique understanding of both sides of the creative process and an extraordinary network of artists throughout the industry.
Theatre Raleigh ACT (TR ACT) is the education and training arm of Theatre Raleigh, offering classes, camps, productions, and performance opportunities for young artists of all ages and experience levels.
TR ACT is committed to creating a supportive, challenging, and joyful environment where students can build confidence, develop their craft, find community, and discover their own artistic voice. Through scholarships and financial assistance, we also work to ensure that cost is never the reason a young person cannot participate in arts education.
Together, Theatre Raleigh and Theatre Raleigh ACT create a continuum from first theatrical experience to professional stage — nurturing the next generation while helping build a vibrant future for theatre in our community.
In the Press
“Theatre Raleigh is achieving the lofty goal of bringing a true NYC theater experience to the Triangle area.”
– TRIANGLE REVIEW
“...the highest level of theater entertainment that the area can provide.”
– ARIANA DEBOSE on WRAL
"My mission is for this to be a space where all artists can be...a place that is alive with the sound of music."
– LKB for VISITRALEIGH
"To create an arts hub here where people have enough work to sustain themselves as artists is the big dream."
– LKB in WALTER
