Vision Statement

The vision of Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is to create a culturally vibrant community by expanding education, entertainment, and the imagination through the arts.


 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to present the finest cultural, educational, and entertainment programming to inspire and unify our community; to be a major resource in the region for state-of-the-art technology and artistic development; and to preserve one of America’s most prized historic theatres for generations.


 

Program Goals

  • Providing artistic presentations as a mix of quality programs to reflect the diversity of populations and interests in the region.
  • Providing educational programs that share and partner artistic resources to offer unique cultural experiences to area school children and diverse audiences of all ages.
  • Serve as a community center that meets the needs of a wide variety of area nonprofits, individuals, and other organizations.
  • Preserve the facility as a historic landmark accompanied by regular upgrades to production equipment and the enhancement of technical capabilities that anchor the redevelopment of Wilmington.
  • Establish broad-based marketing initiatives that build greater public awareness of the diverse program offerings of THCPA and its users.
  • Facilitate strong volunteer leadership and a staff of the highest quality to be responsible for the direction, management, and operations of the programs and services.
  • Ensure that sufficient resources are available to accomplish the mission and goals.


Productions & Projects

  • Main Attractions & Legends Series

    Every year, Thalian Hall produces the Legends & Main Attractions Series which provides Wilmington audiences the chance to see great touring artists from around the world. Members of Friends of Thalian Hall receive discounts on Main Attractions tickets, access to advance ticket purchase before the general public, and other benefits.

  • Community Theatre & Events

    Every year, over 30 local organizations utilize the stages and spaces of Historic Thalian Hall. These events occupy the majority of our calendar and continue an over 160-year tradition of being Wilmington's cultural and civic heart.

    Big Dawg Productions, Opera House Theatre Company, and Thalian Association Community Theatre each call Thalian Hall home for their presenting seasons.  

  • Movies

    Throughout the year Historic Thalian Hall presents multiple film series,' as well as special screenings, and is the home of several local film festivals, including Cucalorus, and the Wilmington Jewish Film Festival.

    Our Classic FIlm Series features critically acclaimed classic films of various genres.

    In partnership with WHQR Public Media, Historic Thalian Hall presents the Cinematique Films Series fearturing arthouse, foriegn, and notable movies that are often not avaiable anywhere else.


  • Pied Piper Children's Theatre

    Each year the Pied Piper Theatre performs for over 6,000 school students in New Hanover County. First and second-grade school children travel to Thalian Hall by bus and are treated to an original musical comedy featuring talent derived from the local acting community. Pied Piper Theatre is produced by the staff of Thalian Hall Center Performing Arts, Inc., with the generous support of the Landfall Foundation, the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, and many more. 


    At the beginning of the school year, teachers receive a synopsis of the play and a selection of songs to be taught in music classes. When the children arrive, their familiarity with the music and story helps to create an interactive environment. Each play expresses positive themes, along with a large dose of theatrical magic and laughter. For some children this may be their first exposure to live theatre.

  • Art & Archive Collection

    Our theater building is not the only notable historical artifact that we care for. Thalian Hall houses the only original and operational Thunder Roll in the US. The Thunder Roll is a special effects device that was used in the 19th Century to create the sound of thunder indoors, well before modern electrical sound equipment.

    The original Russell Smith Front Curtain, sometimes called "The Main Rag," hangs in the back of the original lobby as you enter the Weyerhaeuser Parquet. It is believed to be one of the oldest front theatre curtains in the US and is one of the few remaining examples of its size of Russell Smith's work.

    Thalian Hall also maintains a sizable art collection, including prominent pieces by artists such as Dorothy Gillespie, as well artifacts chronicling the physical history of and improvements to the theatre.

    Our archive collection extensively documents not only the history of Thalian Hall, and the performances and events that happened inside of our walls, but also the history of theatre and the arts in the Cape Fear Region.

  • Tours & Education

    Historic Thalian Hall offers tours to the public to explore the history of the building and some of the inner workings of the theatre. 

    Historic Thalian Hall participates in the Historic Wilmington Foundation's Tarheels Go Walking tour program which introduces third-grade students from around the Cape Fear region to the history of downtown Wilmington. 

    Tours can be requested at ThalianHall.org/Tours