About the Company

About the Company

About the Theatre:

About the Company

Established 1997

Burning Coal’s mission is to produce literate, visceral, affecting theatre that is experienced, not simply seen.

Burning Coal’s mission is to produce literate, visceral, affecting theatre that is experienced, not simply seen.

We emphasize  works that are experienced viscerally, unlike more traditional, linear plays where audiences are most often asked to observe without participating. Using the best local, national and international artists available, we produce explosive re-examinations of overlooked classics, modern classic and new plays that address ideas important to our community. With this in mind, we strive to achieve high-energy performances with minimalist  production values.

We work with a mixture of AEA and non-Equity actors.  We have a loose company, but cast regularly beyond the company. We believe in paying all our artists. The same applies to union and non-union designers, technicians and stage managers.

Race and gender non-specific casting is an integral component of our perspective, as well as an international viewpoint.

Burning Coal is an intimate professional theatre company and an incorporated, non-profit [501 (c) (3)] organization. Our EIN is 56-1910148, and our official tax name is Davner Theatricals, Inc. dba Burning Coal Theatre Co.

Burning Coal is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization of non-profit professional theatres and the North Carolina Theatre Conference, a state-wide consortium of theatres of all sizes and types.

Burning Coal Theatre Company is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County.

Burning Coal Theatre is funded in part by the city of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.

From the New Testament, Romans 12:20: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head.” We are interested in the idea of affecting change through good works. We also like the metaphor and imagery that ‘burning coal’ suggest: gritty, yet warm; hard work; forward movement.

Our 25+ year history was documented by Sabrina Tian in 2022. It is broken up into 4 Parts, the 4th of which will be added here shortly.

Click on the links below to explore the archive.

RETROSPECTIVE OF PLAYS, Part 1: 1997 – 2003

RETROSPECTIVE OF PLAYS, Part 2: 2003 – 2009

RETROSPECTIVE OF PLAYS, Part 3: 2009 – 2015

25th ANNIVERSARY PAGE