Theater Companies in Winston-Salem

Nothing beats the experience of live theater! Whether you’re interested in watching a local show, auditioning, or helping out behind the scenes, there’s a vibrant community of theater companies in Winston-Salem ready to welcome you.

November 11, 2024

Little Theatre of Winston-Salem

Created in 1935, The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem is the oldest theatrical organization in the Piedmont Triad. In addition to its main stage performances, it also offers classes on acting, dance, and more to youth and adults.

WHERE | Performances are held at Hanesbrands Theatre, Reynolds Place Theatre, and Mountcastle Forum.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with The Little Theatre. Volunteer opportunities include set & costume, backstage crew, ushering, box office, and outreach.

BONUS | The Little Theatre hosts youth camps!

Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance

Director Fred Gorelick founded the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance in 1983 as a way to showcase his acting students’ work. It is the most active of Winston-Salem’s theater groups with over 25 productions a year!

WHERE | Performances are held at Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance’s building.

GET INVOLVED | Auditions are held four times a year for multiple upcoming shows. As an all-volunteer organization, Theatre Alliance’s volunteer opportunities include everything from ticket scanners to set builders.

BONUS | Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance hosts SHINE! Theatre Camp, a two-week theater experience for campers with special needs ages 6 and up.

North Carolina Black Repertory Company

Founded by Larry Leon Hamlin in 1979, North Carolina Black Repertory Company (known as NC Black Rep) was the first professional Black theater company in North Carolina.

WHERE | Performances are held at Hanesbrands Theatre.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with NC Black Rep. The theater company needs volunteers to help with the International Black Theatre Festival, educational programs, community events, mainstage shows, and office assistance.

BONUS | Hamlin was also the founder of the International Black Theatre Festival. The first festival was held in 1989 (known as the National Black Theatre Festival at that time), and it still takes place in Winston-Salem every year.

Camel City Playhouse

Camel City Playhouse is a black box theater in Winston-Salem’s Arts District. It has a wide variety of shows it produces throughout the year, but a Halloween staple is its performance of Evil Dead: The Musical.

WHERE | Performances are held at Camel City Playhouse’s building.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with Camel City Playhouse. Volunteer opportunities include concessions, box office, backstage crew, tech team, and marketing.

BONUS | Camel City Playhouse also hosts the One Act Play Festival, film screenings, and staged readings.

Stained Glass Playhouse

Originally the former sanctuary of Marvin United Methodist Church, Stained Glass Playhouse was formed in 1981. It performs four shows each year: a musical in summer, and three plays in fall, winter, and spring.

WHERE | Performances are held at Stained Glass Playhouse’s building.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with Stained Glass Playhouse. The theater company needs volunteers for stage managing, set design and construction, and backstage crew during performances. Those interested in volunteering should email [email protected].

Kernersville Little Theatre

Kernersville Little Theatre produced its first show, You Can’t Take It With You, in July 1977, and performs four shows a year.

WHERE | Performs at various venues.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with Kernersville Little Theatre.

BONUS | Actors from the theater company act as costumed guides at Körner’s Folly’s Christmas by Candlelight event!

Spring Theatre

Spring Theatre was formed in 2011 and “exists to cultivate people of courage and communities of joy through youth-inspired theatrical experiences.”

WHERE | Performances at typically held at Hanesbrands Theatre.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming show or volunteer with Spring Theatre. All are welcome to audition, but some shows are only for kid/teen actors. Check their Facebook page to to find out when auditions are being held. Volunteer opportunities include working backstage and ushering for performances.

BONUS | Spring Theatre has mentoring, main stage productions, theater camps, workshops, and master classes to help young actors grow in their abilities.

40 Plus Stage Company

Winston-Salem natives Gene Johnson and John J. Hohn founded 40 Plus Stage Company in 2016. The theater company likes to select and perform plays exploring intergenerational themes.

WHERE | Performs at Mountcastle Forum and the Generations Center.

GET INVOLVED | Contact 40 Plus Stage Company to learn about its audition process and volunteer opportunities.

BONUS | The 40 Plus Stage Company also has an outreach program that provides opportunities for older adults to engage in acting, dramatic reading, and improvisation.

Spirit Gum Theatre

Spirit Gum Theatre started as three friends wanting to collaborate on stage and grew from there! The theater company exclusively performs plays.

WHERE | Performs at Mountcastle Forum.

GET INVOLVED | Audition for an upcoming shows or volunteer with Spirit Gum Theatre. Volunteer opportunities vary from show to show. Those interested in volunteering should sign up for the newsletter or email [email protected].

FUN FACT | The theater company’s name comes from an adhesive used in theater to attach costume prosthetics (think fake mustaches and beards)!

Looking for more ways to experience Winston-Salem’s art scene? Check out our art gallery guide!