Blowing Rock Stage Co. Receives State Award
NC Theatre Conference presents local stage company with the George A.
Parides Award

The 2008 North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award was presented to Blowing Rock Stage Company (BRSC) on Dec. 5, the opening night of the world premiere of A High Country Christmas Carol. Each year, the Board of Directors of NCTC seeks nominations from the membership for the NCTC Excellence Awards. Upon a vote by the Board of Directors and past presidents, the awards are presented to companies, schools and individuals that have exhibited leadership roles in their community, as well as artistic, professional or educational excellence.

 The George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award is named in honor of a former director of the Theatre Arts Section of the North Carolina Arts Council. During Parides’ tenure, the number of state-funded professional theatres grew from 18 to more than three dozen. Parides is given credit for the success of many new and evolving professional companies in North Carolina.

NCTC Executive Director Angie Hays says, “Blowing Rock Stage Company continuously demonstrates excellence through performance and community outreach.  It is an honor to work with General Manager Robert Miller, Jr., who serves as Treasurer of the NCTC Board of Directors, and an even bigger honor to be able to recognize Blowing Rock Stage with the 2008 NCTC George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award.”

For the 2008 season, The Blowing Rock Stage Company produced 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70’s; The Immigrant; Leading Ladies; Peter Pan; Rumors; Backwards in High Heels: The Ginger Rogers Musical (NC Premiere); The Tempest; Lies & Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin; and A High Country Christmas Carol (World Premiere).

“Receiving this recognition from the North Carolina Theatre Conference is a great honor,” says BRSC Artistic Director Kenneth Kay. “Credit must go to all of the actors, designers, directors, interns, stage managers and administrative staff who work so hard to make the Stage Company the best professional theatre every year.”

The Blowing Rock Stage Company’s mission is to produce revivals of popular plays and musicals that have sustained us since our beginnings and to the exploration and development of new works that celebrate the culture and heritage of our region. Our primary task is to celebrate, through theatrical performances and educational outreach programs, the common humanity binding us all together.

The Blowing Rock Stage Company performs in The Hayes Performing Arts Center, 152 Jamie Fort Road (off Hwy 321), Blowing Rock. For more information, visit www.HayesCenter.org.