Current Events

35th Season Playbill: Not just friends, more like family.

Press Releases

November 2023


Theatre Guild of Rockingham County thankful for 35+ years of local support.

Theatre Guild of Rockingham County: Not just friends, More like family. 


The month of November brings about daylight savings, the need for rakes and blowers, and a reminder to be thankful. At the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County, that thanks extends to every person, artist, and business in Rockingham and surrounding counties.


Being part of the community means collaborating with others. Rockingham County Schools and Rockingham Community College provide facilities for auditions, rehearsals, and performances. Not only does this provide much needed safe spaces, it also exposes students to the art of live theatre. This year’s performance of Disney’s Finding Nemo JR, for example, included two performances for public, private, and homeschooled students as a field trip.


“The name says it all, we are a community theatre. While that means we serve the community, it also means the community supports us.” said Justin Bulla, artistic director of The Guild. “We would not have lasted 35 years without that ongoing support.”


The Theatre Guild of Rockingham County receives support from beyond Rockingham County, too. Talent and patrons from surrounding counties have been an integral part of The Guild since its inception. Other theatre groups share props, costumes, ideas, publicity, and talent. This year, there are even some cross county plans in the works as some TGRC shows will also be performing in neighboring Stokes County later this season!


This year’s theme of theatre as family only reinforces the community nature of The Guild. The TGRC family includes partners, volunteers, members, sponsors, patrons, actors, techs, staff, schools, fellow theatre groups, and the hundreds of people over the past 35 years who have offered up their time and talents.To all of these people, the TGRC Board of Directors has a simple message.


 “Thank you for the past 35 seasons, and we look forward to the next 35!”


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Originally founded by Gene Saunders in 1989 with the inaugural production of Bye, Bye Birdie, this year marks TGRC’s 35th season. Justin Bulla has served as The Guild’s Artistic Director since 2017. 


More information about The Guild's history, current season, and ways to get involved can be found at www.TGRC-NC.com, on Facebook/theatreguildofrockinghamcounty, and Instagram @TGRC_NC. 

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October 2023


Disney’s Finding Nemo JR kicking off a season focused on friends and family. 

Theatre Guild of Rockingham County: Not just friends, More like family. 


In all of five shows this season, characters are close friends who become like family. They may be strangers brought together through circumstances, or they are family members who move closer to one another. No matter the show, you'll get a sense of family. On October 19-22, audiences will get to see this in action as 30 kids ages 7-17 take the stage in the beloved musical: Disney’s Finding Nemo JR (licensed by Music Theatre International) at Rockingham County High School. 


Rose Cutulli Wray, director, made her TGRC acting debut in 1989's Bye, Bye Birdie and her directorial debut in 1994 with Annie. She has a passion for cultivating young actors and introducing them and their families to the magic of live theatre. 


“I challenge every actor I work with, regardless of age, to perform at their peak and deliver a professional show,” Rose said.


The first of five shows in The Guild’s 35th season, Disney’s Finding Nemo JR will be followed by Bright Star (December), Terms of Endearment (February), Steal Away (March), and Oklahoma (June). More details are available online at www.TGRC-NC.com.


“So many of today’s TGRC volunteers and staff began with a child in a production, and they all became part of the TGRC family," Rose added. All productions involve collaborating with volunteers, staff, members, sponsors, and audience members-parts of the community theatre family. 


“TGRC is a place where relationships are formed and grow stronger with each show. Get on stage with us, be a part of backstage, or be in the audience,” encourages Artistic Director, Justin Bulla. 


“No matter what, you're not just a friend, but you are our TGRC family.”

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Originally founded by Gene Saunders in 1989 with the inaugural production of Bye, Bye Birdie, this year marks TGRC’s 35th season. Justin Bulla has served as The Guild’s Artistic Director since 2017. 


More information about The Guild's history, current season, and ways to get involved can be found at www.TGRC-NC.com, on Facebook/theatreguildofrockinghamcounty, and Instagram @TGRC_NC.

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September 2023

Community theatre launches its 35th season!

Theatre Guild of Rockingham County: Not just friends, More like family. 


In 1989, Gene Sanders directed Bye, Bye Birdie and launched the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County. Thirty-four years and one hundred thirty four productions later, The Guild remains a source of community pride and artistic expression. Each season, TGRC focuses on its core objectives: to create, to cultivate, and to collaborate. This season those objectives are all focused on family.


In all five shows this season, characters are close friends who become like family. They may be strangers brought together through circumstances, or they are family members who move closer to one another. No matter the show, you'll get a sense of family. The 35th season begins with Disney’s Finding Nemo JR in October, followed by Bright Star in December, Terms of Endearment in February, Steal Away in March, and Oklahoma in June. Not only will The Guild create 5 productions, but they will also create a sense of family and inclusion.


Not only are these stories about friends and family, but everyone involved in each production also becomes part of the greater theatre family. The Guild itself is a large family of volunteers, staff, sponsors, members, and attendees who collaborate together to create and experience the magic of live theatre. It is this collaboration with every aspect of the community that has made TGRC an integral part of Rockingham County for so many years.


“TGRC is a place where relationships are formed and grow stronger with each show. Get on stage with us, be a part of backstage, or be in the audience,” encourages Artistic Director, Justin Bulla. 


Cultivating this sense of family and community, The Guild strives to engage every aspect of Rockingham County from its rural roots, to its children, to its citizens. Nemo is a JR show with children ages 7-17 on stage, Bright Star tells a NC love story with an Appalachian, bluegrass twist, Terms of Endearment deals with the difficulties of broken families and illness, Steal Away has African-American community organizers making the jump from bake sales to bank robbery, and Oklahoma is a tale of romance and rivalry between farmers and cowboys.


Visit www.TGRC-NC.com to learn more about the Guild's history, goals, and shows. You can also become a member, season sponsor, volunteer, or actor. Come join the theatre family, and remember what Justin Bulla says.


“No matter what, you're not just a friend, but you are our TGRC family.”