it’s our MISSION
to enrich the cultural life of the residents and visitors through the performance, productions and education in all aspects of contemporary and classic theater and concerts.
Our Community
The Blue Ridge Community Theater is an active part of the rich tapestry of the region, and we are proud to be a member of the Blue Ridge community.
Local volunteers are our life’s blood. Without these committed individuals we could not create theater. And the local business communities support BRCT through service donations, barters, the purchase of advertising in the Playbills, and sponsorships.
BRCT is a valued participant in the community and supports it through active involvement in community activities, social welfare contributions, festivals, and public performances. Anyone who has ever been involved with community theater knows that the key to the experience is “community”.
From the casts of actors that are assembled from everyday people (who may or may not have experienced the stage before), to crews of active, retired and semi-retired carpenters, painters, seamstresses and publicists, it is truly a community that comes together to create what is often described as a little bit of magic.
As we reflect on and celebrate our history, we look forward to an even more vibrant and successful future. Come out and play! The magic of theater awaits!
Our History
The Blue Ridge Community Theater was founded in 2000 as a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization. Originally called the Gateway Mountain Players, the Blue Ridge Community Theater is now known locally as BRCT. BRCT had its humble beginning as a traveling theater that performed anywhere there was space from public school “cafetoriums” to open air parks to empty buildings. It was our adventurous volunteers who continuously brought theater to appreciative audiences. Despite the challenges posed by not having a permanent “home”, our dedicated volunteers not only made due, they built a strong foundation focused on both the art and the business of theater.
By 2003, the Blue Ridge Community Theater had a rented space, and was continuing to grow and increase the quality and the number of shows, actors, board members, stakeholders and other volunteers. In May of 2009, our passionate volunteers were able to purchase the present theater at 2591 East First Street. The first performance was held that July.
In the fall of 2009, two sets of theater benefactors, Corrie and John Grado and Angela and Steve Oyer generously donated to lead a matching capital campaign. Their generosity fueled a fire storm of support. Donations were contributed in the form of funds from as little as $1 to the donation of services and skills and state-of-the-art theater seating.
The Blue Ridge Community Theater is now a theater proudly designed, built and paid for by the generous contributions of volunteers, community businesses, a dedicated Board of Directors and the loyal support of enthusiastic theater audiences.
From its humble beginnings, the Blue Ridge Community Theater now produces 6 or more Main Stage productions annually as well as additional Black Box Theater productions. It also supports educational programming for youth ages 5-18 through Sunny D Children’s Theater Summer Camps and productions.
Patricia Webb Receives Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities
Patricia Webb Receives Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities
Blue Ridge Community Theater Founder Honored for Decades of Service to Georgia’s Arts and Cultural Communities
Blue Ridge, Georgia — Patricia Webb, a lifelong advocate for the arts and humanities, was recently awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities, recognizing her nearly 30 years of leadership and innovation in the arts community of North Georgia. Presented by the Office of the Governor in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities, this award celebrates Webb’s exceptional contributions to Georgia’s civic and cultural vitality.
Born and raised in Tifton, Georgia, Webb graduated from Georgia State University before embarking on a successful career in banking and financial services in Atlanta. During her time in the city, she immersed herself in the nonprofit and arts communities, serving on the Atlanta Board of United Way and holding season tickets to three theaters. In the late 1990s, Webb retired to the mountains of North Georgia, where her passion for community and the arts took on a new focus.
As a volunteer, Webb helped found Blue Ridge Community Theater (BRCT), which has since grown into a thriving cultural institution under her visionary leadership. Over the years, she has directed, mentored, and guided the theater, which now produces more than 145 live performances annually, encompassing main stage productions, the Sunny D Children’s Theater, Black Box theater performances, and live music concerts. The theater boasts over $1 million in equity and engages hundreds of volunteers each year.
One of BRCT’s most remarkable programs is the Sunny D Children’s Theater Summer Camp, which attracts 100 to 140 students annually. Supported by 50 volunteers, the program produces six full-length plays in just two weeks, with multiple performances of each, fostering a love for the arts among young participants and their families.“Patricia Webb has been the heart and soul of Blue Ridge Community Theater,” said Mike Lacy, BRCT Board President. “Her dedication to nurturing talent and bringing live theater to our community has not only enriched our cultural landscape but also brought countless individuals together in the shared joy of the arts.”
The Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia’s civic and cultural vitality. Administered by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the award highlights the role of the arts in fostering education, innovation, economic growth, and quality of life. GCA provides statewide funding, programs, and services to support arts initiatives, preserve cultural heritage, and increase access to meaningful cultural experiences.
For nearly three decades, Webb’s tireless commitment to the arts has inspired countless individuals and strengthened the North Georgia community. Her recognition with this award is a testament to her enduring impact and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts.
Board of Directors
President
Michael Lacy
VP, President-elect
Teresa Ariail
VP Sunny D Children’s Theater
Todd Westcott
Treasurer
TBD
Building/ Set Crew
Michael O’Keefe
Secretary
Nancy Sladky
Sales/Fundraising
Steve Hayden
Artistic Committee
Lee Dittman
Concessions
Brynn Walker
EMERITUS
Pat Webb
Meyer Birnbaum
Randy Brown
Mike Fleeman
Kelly Hornsby Dyer
Sandy Jaffie
Jerry Locke
Wanda Jefferson
Bill Marsh
Helen McMahon
Joe Webb
Hinky Wilcher
Staff
Executive Director
Todd Olson
Production Manager
Sarah Griffith-Garcia
Office Manager
David Podowski
Box Office
Anne Record
Publicity
Debbi Friend
Accounting
Linda McHugh
ADVISORS
United Community Bank
Becky Cruse
Blue Ridge Law
G. William Little III, PC
SCORE Strategic
Chipley McKnight