History
Foothills Performing Arts had humble beginnings as Caldwell Community Theatre in 1976. The student lounge in Building B was renovated into a black box theatre to welcome the newly created group. Shows like Fiddler on the Roof and 1776 were performed in the gymnasium on campus. First in Freedom in 1977 was even performed as an outdoor drama on Gunpowder Creek, which runs behind the college. The first season in 1976-1977 consisted of four shows: The Glass Menagerie, The Butterfinger's Doll, Godspell, and Fiddler on the Roof.
As the drama program in Caldwell Community College and Technical Insititute grew, the school created an opportunity specifically for students called the Collegiate Show Company. They worked in tandem with Caldwell Community Theatre, and eventually merged to become Foothills Performing Arts.
FPA began with the vision of integrating theatre, music, and dance in a wide variety of performances. Important to the foundation of the theatre was a passion to teach. To this day, Foothills Performing Arts continues this tradition by producing quality shows in a professional manner.
In 2016, FPA moved to the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, becoming the resident theatre. The 2019-2020 season for Foothills Performing Arts was cut short, but it marked 15 mainstage shows and four seasons with the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center.
In 2020, FPA made the decision in partnership with the City of Lenoir to move to the historic Lenoir High School theater. The Lenoir High School closed down in 1977 when it merged with Gamewell-Collettsville High School to form West Caldwell High School. Since 1989, the building has operated as a senior housing facility, with the Gymnasium, Auditorium, and Mack Cook Stadium available as rental facilities led by the City of Lenoir Parks and Recreation. The City of Lenoir is just as thrilled as Foothills Performing Arts to see Lenoir High School be put back into frequent use. Director of Parks and Recreation Kenny Story and his staff have been very supportive of Foothills Performing Arts in preparing for the move.
As the drama program in Caldwell Community College and Technical Insititute grew, the school created an opportunity specifically for students called the Collegiate Show Company. They worked in tandem with Caldwell Community Theatre, and eventually merged to become Foothills Performing Arts.
FPA began with the vision of integrating theatre, music, and dance in a wide variety of performances. Important to the foundation of the theatre was a passion to teach. To this day, Foothills Performing Arts continues this tradition by producing quality shows in a professional manner.
In 2016, FPA moved to the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, becoming the resident theatre. The 2019-2020 season for Foothills Performing Arts was cut short, but it marked 15 mainstage shows and four seasons with the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center.
In 2020, FPA made the decision in partnership with the City of Lenoir to move to the historic Lenoir High School theater. The Lenoir High School closed down in 1977 when it merged with Gamewell-Collettsville High School to form West Caldwell High School. Since 1989, the building has operated as a senior housing facility, with the Gymnasium, Auditorium, and Mack Cook Stadium available as rental facilities led by the City of Lenoir Parks and Recreation. The City of Lenoir is just as thrilled as Foothills Performing Arts to see Lenoir High School be put back into frequent use. Director of Parks and Recreation Kenny Story and his staff have been very supportive of Foothills Performing Arts in preparing for the move.
Original location on campus at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute in Hudson, NC.
Building B, near the flagpoles.
Building B, near the flagpoles.
Board Members
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Leadership:
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This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
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