Who We Are & What We Do
Who We Are – What We Do Founded in 1788 to provide income for Innes Academy, the 1st free school in NC, the oldest community theatre group in the US 1851 The Association provides a carved stone memorial to the Washington Monument Society to support building of the monument. The only civic cultural organization in America to contribute 1855-1858 builds a combination civic center & theatre with the City Of Wilmington, Thalian Hall 1994 Assumes management of the Hannah Block Historic USO Building/Community Arts Center for the City 1995 Originated Orange Street ArtsFest to support visual arts in the Cape Fear, promote downtown Wilmington & the HBHUSO/CAC 2007 Designated the Official Community Theatre of NC 2025 Arts are a huge economic driver in Wilmington, attracting visitors and new residents as well. The 2023 Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey announced that the non-profit arts & culture industry in New Hanover County generated $75,595,580 in annual economic activity, 11.4 million in local, state, & federal revenues with the equivalent of 1285 full time jobs. Thalian Association, the Official Community Theatre of NC has been the cultural foundation of the Cape Fear region for 236 years and is a major attraction for visitors and new area residents. Today our support includes: Five shows annually Main Stage Thalian Hall, providing more than $90,000 annual income for the historic building Five Youth Theatre shows at the HBHUSO/Community Arts Center providing youth ages seven through high school senior free theatre training and performance opportunities Theatre arts education classes that are very affordable for area children with scholarship opportunities upon request (TACT Academy) The Donn Ansell scholarship to deserving high school seniors who are serious students of the theatre and plan to further their theatrical education following graduation Free special school performances of Youth Theatre productions to designated Cape Fear Region Title 1 elementary and middle schools plus school with stated need with Sensory Friendly Performances for New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick County Elementary, Middle, and High School students Management of the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington and offer rehearsal and classroom space at little to no charge for visual & performance arts as well as partnering with other organizations for community events Creative Arts Camp, the area’s largest performing and visual arts summer day camp for children ages four through high school senior Providing the venue for the NC Azalea Festival Official Juried Art Show, High School Students Art Exhibition, and host the Official NC Azalea Festival Children’s Art Contest at the Community Arts Center Orange Street ArtsFest every Memorial Day weekend, one of the largest and most popular downtown arts festivals ARTfall Exhibition at the HBHUSO/CAC, for emerging and established artists
Certified Arts Friendly
Thalian Association Community Theatre is proud to be a Certified Arts Friendly non-profit arts organization in Wilmington, North Carolina! The Arts Friendly Foundation strengthens our community by supporting the operations of arts nonprofits. Your donation to the Arts Friendly Foundation is added to this year’s total and divided evenly between Certified Arts Nonprofits. Certified Arts Nonprofits for 2018 are: 1) DREAMS Center for Arts Education, 2) Opera Wilmington, 3) Thalian Association Community Theatre, 4) Wilmington Art Association, and 5) Wilmington Jewish Film Festival Certified Arts Friendly Businesses support the administration of the foundation, so all of your donation received goes to local arts nonprofits. Donate with Square: squareup.com/store/artsfriendlyfoundation or mail your check to: Arts Friendly Foundation, PO Box 514, Wilmington, North Carolina 28402 (Please note: Square takes a small processing fee / A check does not) This year’s fundraising cycle ends November 6, 2018 at which point accumulated donations are distributed.
Support Community Theatre Today
10 things that YOU make possible with Thalian Association Community Theatre: Five productions annually on the main stage at historic Thalian Hall with special youth ticket prices to make live theatre affordable for everyone Five youth theatre productions at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center that are free for cast members – no fees! Special shows at different venues in the community The Orange Street ArtsFest, presented every Memorial Day weekend since 1995, one of the most popular downtown arts festivals Management of the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington, offering rehearsal and classroom space at little to no charge for visual & performance arts Affordable and convenient theatre arts classes…Arts education not only creates great actors but great doctors, lawyers, bankers, and teachers Community Outreach Program offering free theatre arts classes every week at the Community Boys & Girls Club, Brigade Boys & Girls Club and the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Youth Theatre special school performances for A. H. Snipes Academy of Arts & Design, Sunset Park Elementary, Rachel Freeman, and The International School at Gregory Sensory Friendly performances for NHCS students in the Specially Designed Academics program If you think the arts are important to a thriving community and economy, we are the organization to support
Thalian Association Community Theatre Brings and “Angel Tree” & “Toys For Tots” to the Community Arts Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 THALIAN ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY THEATRE BRINGS AN ‘ANGEL TREE’ AND ‘TOYS FOR TOTS’ TO THE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER The Salvation Army and US Marine Corps Reserve programs arrive on November 9 WILMINGTON, NC – Thalian Association Community Theatre will host a Salvation Army Angel Tree in the lobby of the Hannah Block Historic USO/ Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second Street from November 9 to December 13, 2015. Good Samaritans can stop by the center, select a tag, and make the holiday season brighter for our neighbors in need. The tags list clothing and other necessities, and a hopeful wish or two, for a child who otherwise may have nothing to open on Christmas morning. During the same time, a Marine Corps Toys for Tots box will be available for donations of new and unwrapped toys. “Both are wonderful ways to share some good will this season. This is the first Angel Tree in the HBHUSO/Community Arts Center and we plan to make it an annual tradition,” said Susan Habas, Thalian Association Community Theatre Executive Director. “Every child should know the joy of the holidays and we are delighted to have the opportunity to help The Salvation Army and the US Marine Corps Reserve in their worthy efforts.” Since 1887, The Salvation Army has offered character-building programs in local Boys and Girls Clubs and helped provide shelter and safe, affordable housing for seniors and families in need. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program began in 1979 when Lt. Colonels Charles and Shirley White worked with a shopping mall in Lynchburg Virginia to provide clothing and toys for children at Christmas. Since then, Angel Tree has provided new clothing or toys for the children of thousands of needy families, thanks to the support of donors in their own community. The US Marine Corps Reserve annual Toys for Tots Program has been a tradition since 1947. The Marine Corps Reserve annually delivers millions of toys to children in need. The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center is owned by the City of Wilmington and managed by Thalian Association Community Theatre. The building is a historic and cultural treasure that has been the center of recreation and art for generations of local children. Today the building continues to be the home for children, art and recreation while serving as a mini museum of the Wilmington and New Hanover County WWII home front. Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall, a summer season at the Red Barn Studio and professionally manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children age seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated … » Continue Reading
Harris Teeter TIE Program
Burnett Thalian Association Community Theatre Preservation Fund
Thalian Association Community Theatre Burnett Preservation Fund Thalian Association Community Theatre Burnett Preservation Fund was established by the Association to provide a stable, predictable source of income for sustainability, operational and program needs. The fund is named for Vivian Parlier-Burnett, Julian Burnett, and Judge Gilbert Burnett in honor of their many contributions to the Association and cultural arts in the Cape Fear region. It provides the funds that allow Thalian Association Community Theatre to continue our 231-year history of nurturing the civic, cultural and social life of Wilmington continues today with our theatrical productions on multiple stages, civic contributions and community outreach programs: Cash Gifts The simplest and most convenient way of participating in the fund is through cash gifts, which may take the form of pledges over a period of years. All such gifts qualify for maximum income tax deductions. Securities or Real Estate Gifts of appreciated securities and real property may provide important tax advantages to donors who have held assets for a long period of time. The full fair market value of such gifts may be deductible as a charitable contribution. Wills or Bequests There are many ways to remember Thalian Association Community Theatre in a will. After providing for heirs, a donor can specify that some or all of the remaining assets be given to the Thalian Association Community Theatre Operating Endowment, thereby achieving a lasting purpose and reducing the taxable portion of an estate. Life Insurance Thalian Association Community Theatre may be named as the owner and beneficiary of a previously existing or new life insurance policy. The donor receives an immediate tax deduction, which is generally equal to the policy’s cash surrender value. All premium payments made by the donor thereafter are also tax-deductible. Charitable Remainder Trust A donor may wish to make a contribution to charity but need all of his or her income for current expenses. The donor can leave property to Thalian Association Community Theatre Operating Endowment at death or give the assets now, subject to a retained income interest. For more information or to make a donation contact Susan Habas at 910-251-1788.
Donate Now
10 things that YOU make possible with Thalian Association Community Theatre: Read more…. Five productions annually on the main stage at historic Thalian Hall, Special ticket prices are offered to make live theatre affordable for everyone Five youth theatre productions at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center Productions at the Red Barn Studio Theatre The Orange Street ArtsFest, presented every Memorial Day weekend since 1995, one of the most popular downtown arts festivals Management of the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington, offering rehearsal and classroom space at little to no charge for visual & performance arts Affordable and convenient theatre arts classes…Arts education not only creates great actors but great doctors, lawyers, bankers, and teachers Community Outreach Program offering 5 free theatre arts classes every week at the Community Boys & Girls Club, 2 free theatre arts classes at the Brigade Boys & Girls Club and 2 free theatre arts classes at the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Youth Theatre special school performances for A. H. Snipes Academy of Arts & Design, traveling shows at the Community Boys & Girls Club and the Brigade Boys & Girls Club, with invited guest dress rehearsals for the Girls Leadership of Wilmington students. The Theatre 4 Change program will support more than 1000 students during the school year Since 2011 host of the North Carolina Azalea Festival Children’s’ Art Contest at the Community Art Center If you think the arts are important to a thriving community and economy, we are the organization to support
