History of the Flat Rock Playhouse YouTheatre

Flat Rock Playhouse, the Vagabond School of the Drama, Inc., began producing plays in 1952. It is a not-for-profit educational facility, and in 1961 was designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. Children’s Theatre was a dream of its founder, Robroy Farquhar, and that dream was fostered by his son, Robin.

Children’s summer classes began in the early 1960’s, and in 1991 Children’s Theatre became a year-round program. Classes and interest grew significantly. As more of the children grew into middle and high school students, the Playhouse adopted the name Theatre for Young People to reflect the diverse ages represented in the classes. Now, the Playhouse maintains a YouTheatre program which offers classes to some 600 students each year. Classes range from Kindergarten to twelfth grade and also include adult acting and dance as well as classes for fall apprentices and interns. Plays are also produced by YouTheatre with its student actors sometimes appearing on the Playhouse Mainstage. In 2008, visual and studio arts were added along with expanded private music studios. Theatre arts remains the hub of the curriculum.

YouTheatre has also developed a strong relationship with the Henderson County Schools. In addition to special school performances of YouTheatre productions, YouTheatre joins the County school system in sponsoring an annual Playwriting Contest for area middle schools students. Winners not only receive monetary awards and season tickets to the Playhouse but also have their plays read or produced by YouTheatre.

The Spotlighters, a support group organized in 1994, assists the YouTheatre with technical, publicity, archival, and correspondence needs. The Board of the Spotlighters is composed of six individuals (The President sits on the Playhouse Board of Trustees). Board members are area professionals, teachers, and dedicated parents.

YouTheatre has indeed grown from a founder’s dream of a class for young people to include a wide array of classes and subject matter oriented toward multiple age groups, a number of talented and caring instructors, two months worth of summer day camps and musical theatre workshops, a newly instituted residence camp, a list of successful alumni (both in and out of theatre), as well as strong and vital community outreach. In 2007, the Robin R. Farquhar Education Center was built using funds from the first ever FRP capital campaign. This wonderful facility is over 8000 square feet and boasts classrooms, art and costume space, a professional sprung dance studio, private lessons studios, offices and a library/conference room. As we continue to grow, we are extremely grateful to Robin Farquhar, the Board of Trustees and everyone who donated their time and finances to make this incredible building possible. A special thanks to people like Johanna Erlenbach, Wendy Wilkins Bailey and Betsy Bisson without whose YouTheatre foundations we would have nothing on which to build.

Flat Rock Playhouse is happy to foster the educational and artistic growth of our community’s children and hopes that participation in our YouTheatre programs encourages a life-long appreciation of the arts.