“Sita was the life and soul.  That’s what Lila said, the life and soul.  I don’t know what it means.”

“It means mama was good for a laugh.”

“Laughter is different in a village.  Here (in the big city), there are walls and echoes to make a woman’s laughter sound defiant and coarse.”

Sue Townsend made a name for herself writing children’s stories like The Secret Diaries of Adrian Mole, Age 13 3/4s.  Then, in 1984, her masterpiece about a woman searching for her own self-worth amid the great city in the West brought her international acclaim.  When the family uprooted from India and headed West to a new life, Sita was joyful.  But the reality of that new life was not quite what she expected.  And why, why was her old milk cow tagging along for the ride, if only in her mind?

This production is suitable for ages 16 and up. Read More »

Burning Coal Theatre Company is delighted to announce its 23rd season in Raleigh:

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

THE CONTAINER by Clare Bayley
In a collaboration with Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum, Gab Smith, Executive Director
October 10 – 27, 2019
at CAM/Raleigh – 409 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 6:30 and 8 pm
Sundays at 2 and 4 pm
Note:  This production will take place in a shipping container on the grounds of CAM/Raleigh

CAMELOT by Lerner & Loewe
Directed by Jerome Davis
December 5 – 22, 2019
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

TALLEY’S FOLLY by Lanford Wilson
Directed by John Gulley
The Pulitzer Prize winning comedy/drama from 1980 about two of society’s outcasts who come together in a gazebo in rural Missouri in 1944
January 23 – February 9, 2020
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

SILENT SKY by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Rebecca Holderness
The true story of Henrietta Leavitt, an early 1900s pioneer in astronomy at a time when a woman wasn’t even allowed to touch a telescope 
April 9 – 26, 2020
Performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

Your MAINSTAGE SUBSCRIPTION still only costs $80 apiece (a savings of 20% off full priced tickets).  And, for $30 more, you can purchase a BREAKFAST CLUB SUBSCRIPTION, which includes all 4 of our mainstage shows, tickets to all 3 of our summer 2020 Second Stage shows (TBA) and breakfast with the Artistic Director (catered by the Flying Biscuit!) in October, 2019.  To Subscribe, CLICK HERE or call us at 919.834.4001.

To purchase tickets for individual productions, please click on the individual links above or call 919.834.4001.

Each spring, Burning Coal joins with Oakwood Cemetery to produce a new series of plays.  This year’s production, directed by George Jack, features stories of influential people from Raleigh’s past.  Who will be spotted telling tales of their lives lived out on the same patch of earth we now inhabit?  Join us and see! Tickets: 919.834.4001.

Historic Oakwood Series 2019
May 17 & 18 at 6:30pm/May 19 at 2:00 pm
701 Oakwood Ave | Raleigh, NC 27601 Read More »

A two-week conservatory for students in grades 6-8 who want to explore all the possibilities the theatre offers.  Students learn techniques of movement, vocal production, and character study in the mornings and apply those techniques in rehearsing an original play in the afternoons, with a culminating production of that play created by the students themselves at the end of the session (June 28th at 6:00 pm).  Taught by Burning Coal’s Director of Education.

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STC Sr. is our intensive, three-week conservatory for high school students interested in rigorous, professional training.  It involves classes in the mornings followed by rehearsals for a play in the afternoons (this year MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare!).  Two performances will take place at Burning Coal on the evenings of July 26 & 27, 2019.

Last year, we  were joined by guest artists from colleges and professional theatres around the state.  Similar quality educators will be hired again this year!  Students will learn a wide variety of subjects and techniques in classes with guest artists from fine educational institutions and professional theatres such as: 

Jill Carlson, East Carolina University – Stage Combat
Ray Dooley, Playmakers Repertory – Auditioning
John Gulley, UNC Greensboro – Meisner 

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Click here to take a VIRTUAL TOUR of Burning Coal Theatre!

After viewing, if you are interested in renting our space, give us a ring at 919.834.4001 or email us at coalartisticdir@ncrrbiz.com

Burning Coal Theatre Company and CAM/Raleigh are proud to present CHURCHILL’S SHORTS, two short plays by Caryl Churchill.   FAR AWAY and A NUMBER are two short plays set in the near future, one about what happens when we abuse our environment (hint, it abuses back) and one about the impact of technology on family and society.

CAST

Ben Apple
Mark Filiaci
Chloe Oliver
Julie Oliver Read More »