News

Veteran Vagabond seeks Playhouse memories

By Bill Moss, Published: January 31, 2015

The longest serving resident Vagabond is seeking submissions for a pictorial history of the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Dennis C. Maulden's association with the State Theatre of North Carolina extends to 1967, his first-year apprenticeship. He began writing the book in 2002, the Playhouse's 50th anniversary.
Maulden, resident scene designer and apprentice administrator, has put out a call to former Vagabonds to share production shots or candid photos and memories of pivotal moments as well as prepared quotations, remembrances or testimonials. Due to space limitations, submissions are encouraged but not guaranteed to be included in the final edition of the book. Vagabonds are asked to send materials to book@flatrockplayhouse.org.
Dennis Maulden describes set for 'The Fantasticks' in April 2014.The book covers Playhouse history beginning as Robin Farquhar assumes the role of artistic director in 1983. Called The Spirit of the Rock – Flat Rock Playhouse: My Second Home and Its History, the book traces the evolution of the theater from Robin's leadership in presenting large-scale musicals and new works and moves through the arrival and impact of Vincent A. Marini in 2009. The final section charts the new course for the Playhouse envisioned by Lisa K. Bryant, who became artistic director in 2014 upon Marini's departure.
Told from his unique point of view and full of humor and warmth, the history pays a brief homage to Maulden's Playhouse mentors before exploring what he calls the "Renaissance Years" as Farquhar, the son of Playhouse founder Robroy Farquhar, moves the theatre from a small summer stock company to a nationally recognized regional theatre. He moves on to analyze the high and low points of the five years following Farquhar's death as well as the subsequent struggle to solidify a new era of stability, educational mission, and artistic vision.