By the beginning of its tenth season OCT finally had a home. In September almost everything was moved from all the storage spaces and into the old First Baptist building on the comer of Spring and Grove Streets. The first production in the new facility was, "The Glass Menagerie," opened in November. A temporary stage was built and cushions were added to the old church pews. A capital fund raising campaign to renovate the building had begun.

The excellent reputation of the quality theater productions and the tenacity of Mary Snead Boger helped to secure the rights for the musical "Evita" and the British farce "Noises Off' before any amateur theater in the US. In November 1986 OCT received the state award "For Leadership in Theatre Arts in North Carolina." "The fine acting, totality of professionalism and warm giving spirit of OCT has proved a stimulation to, and an inspiration for theater all over North Carolina." Over the past six years OCT had entered the NCTC one act play competition and had won awards for best play, best actress, runner-up for best play, and three times for best actor.

Our Founder Resigns

In August 1987 Mrs. Boger announced she would resign as artistic director at the end of the season. It came as a surprise, but she said it was time to do something else. Her dream had become an award winning Community Theater that was well respected over the state and the region. Actors and patrons would feel the loss alike. The board of directors formed a committee and the search for her successor commenced. Applications came from all over the world.

The search committee completed their task in the spring of 1988. A nationally- known director and playwright from Washington State, Michael Brill, was named as Artistic Director. During Mr. Brill's short time with OCT the community saw an innovative version of "The Brief and Comic History of Tom Jones," "Vanities" and another state award winning play, "Lemonade."

Mr. Brill had come from a very metropolitan area and small town life was not to his liking. He wasn't happy and had difficulty with an all-volunteer base.

Once again a search was conducted. The remainder of the season was guest directed. By the end of the season a new Artistic Director was named. Dawson Corley, a native of Louisiana, began 1989/90 season with the American classic, "Look Homeward, Angel." The cast and crew traveled to Asheville to visit the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. The trip was extraordinary because as the cast and crew were researching their roles, the production crew from CBS' "Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt followed them around." The production crew also came to Concord to film a performance to be featured in September. In August OCT received a visitor from Great Britain who had been traveling for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and had heard of OCT. Mr. Corley started the Old Courthouse Youth Theatre with the production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." He also directed Noel Coward's witty comedy "Blithe Spirit," and the Sondheim musical "A Little Night Music." By February 1990 OCT had lost another Artistic Director. Mr. Corley and OCT dissolved their contract through mutual agreement.

The search continued. The next two productions were guest directed. Michael Ricci directed “Steel Magnolias” the last play of the season, who had guest directed the previous season.  The Board offered Mr. Ricci, a New York native, a three-year contract and he became the third Artistic Director in two seasons. Mr. Ricci continued the American classics and the youth theater. The youth theater productions of Shakespearean adaptations were especially popular.

Mr. Ricci started the Off Broadway series and acting workshops. The OCT Guild started its fund raiser the Annual New Year's Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. OCT continued for the three years of Mr. Ricci's contract. But the problems with maintenance of the old church building were eating into the budget faster than plays could be performed and the funding could be replaced.  At the end of the third year, OCT had to release Mr. Ricci from his contract because it was becoming increasingly more difficult to pay him, support the building and productions.

At that time the board made the decision to continue with guest directors until it was possible to hire a full time director. During the 1993/94 season there was a paid business manager. From 1994 until 1997 all of the productions were guest directed and a volunteer then ran the office. During this time OCT received national exposure for a second time when "The Sound of Music" was performed with Daniel Truhitte in the role of Captain Von Trapp. Mr. Truhitte had appeared in the movie version as Rolf. OCT won, for the third time, Best Play at the North Carolina Theatre Conference for the play "A Novel Romance." The guest directors did outstanding work on very tight budgets. Still something was missing -Continuity.

At the end of the 1996/97 season the board once again decided the time was right to hire a full time Artistic Director. This time they chose a hometown girl who had recently graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury with a Theatre Arts Degree. Heather Wilson had guest directed two one act plays and on the main stage for OCT after college. She was also very familiar with OCT, its crews, actors, and patrons. Heather had appeared in OCT productions under the direction of Mary Snead Boger, had worked back stage, appeared as Agnes in "Agnes of God," and most recently had appeared in the OCT award winning play “A Novel Romance." At the beginning of the 1997/98 season, Ms. Wilson became OCT's fifth Artistic Director.

The 2000/2001 season will begin Ms. Wilson's fourth season at OCT. She has brought with her creativity, an eye for detail, a passion for quality, enthusiasm, and the ability to work with actors and crew of all ages. Having been an actress, she knows what it is like to be on the other side of the foot lights. She is also an excellent representative for the theater. Growing up in Concord has given her knowledge of the surrounding communities. The actor and crew base has grown as well as the season ticket subscribers. She gives the best that is in her to OCT and her community and expects no less from the casts and crews of the productions. She wants to continue the dream started by Mary Snead Boger in 1976 and give opportunities to the citizens of Cabarrus County and the surrounding area the opportunity to participate in the magic of live theater whether as a performer or as an audience member. She wants to direct a variety of plays not only the safe choices but also plays that make the audience think and challenge the actors and director to do their best.

Old Courthouse Theatre, Inc. has come a long way from the Historic Courthouse courtroom. Sometimes the way has not been an easy one, but that makes those who have been there appreciate the accomplishments even more. Passion, dedication, and pure stubbornness have kept the dream alive. OCT is still staffed and run by volunteers. All actors and crew are volunteers with "real" jobs and families. OCT is still supported primarily by the sale of season tickets, Producing Partners or Sponsors, the Grassroots Grant through the Cabarrus Arts Council, Inc. and individual ticket sales. OCT receives no city or county money. OCT gives tickets to Cabarrus County non-profit organizations for their fund raising. Plays cost from $4000 for a comedy or drama to $12,000 for a musical depending on the elaborateness of costumes and set and the royalty rights. The building still needs repairs and maintenance. Donations of time, supplies, and money are always needed and welcomed.

Will OCT ever change its name? No. Old Courthouse Theatre has never changed its name because we want people to remember where we began and we are proud of our beginnings. The name is well recognized and respected in the region. Everyone is welcome as long as they desire to give their best to make all productions live up to the standard of quality that so long has been a part of an Old Courthouse Theatre production.