TheatreNOW

TheatreNOW

TheatreNOW is a theatre arts complex that features weekend dinner theatre, children's programming, a Sunday Brunch, movie and live music events. The producing arm of TheatreNOW—TheatreNOW Productions, LLC—plans to provide entertainment in a theatre themed venue for locals and tourists alike.

TheatreNOW is also home to the non-profit organization, Theatre Network of Wilmington, inc. The mission of Theatre Network of Wilmington, inc. is to provide theatre arts education to school aged children; to be a resource to local theatre companies; and to provide networking opportunities to individuals interested in the local theatre scene. Local actor, director, and writer, Zach Hanner will serve as Executive Director of the Theatre Network of Wilmington, inc. You can reach him at zach@theatrewilmington.com.

Anyone interested in TheatreNOW should go to the Contact Us page to register.










FROM THE OWNER/PRODUCER

Alisa Harris is a former talent agent and entertainment promotions specialist based in Wilmington, NC. Many theatre and film professionals have used her graphic design and marketing services to promote their productions, and hundreds of actors have benefited from her representation. Ms. Harris is also executive producing a multimedia project aimed to promote prominent women in the Wilmington, NC community entitled the Women of Wilmington (WOW) Project (www.womenofwilmington.com).


Ms. Harris also performs locally onstage and in film and television. Recent film credits include Piranha 3DD, the Sequel opposite David Hasselhoff, The Bay (aka ISOPODS) with director, Barry Levinson, two episodes of HBO's Eastbound and Down opposite Lily Tomlin, and the pilot episode of Witches of East End for Lifetime. Favorite theatre roles include Into the Woods, Ruthless, Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias, A Midsummer Night's Eve, Deathtrap, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and her many roles in children's theatre with Pied Piper Children's Theatre in Wilmington, NC. She co-produced and directed Songs for a New World, and directed Clue: the Musical, Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, and Nuptials for theatre companies in Wilmington, NC and is currently developing Blue Velvet, the Musical (www.bluevelvetmusical.com) which had a workshop preview in 2011 during the Cucalorus Film Festival.

In early 2012, Alisa adopted newborn son, Ashton. They live in downtown Wilmington with two dogs and a porch cat. Prior to opening TheatreNOW and raising a baby, Alisa enjoyed reading, cooking, making jewelry and working in the garden :-))

Alisa Harris, 
Producer, TheatreNOW Productions, LLC
MEET CHEF DENISE
Tennessee native Denise Gordon grew up watching her Vietnamese mother make exotic food at home, sell Asian goods at her own grocery store and cook Chinese and Asian dishes at her restaurant and food kiosks. In her teens Denise began her own food experiments – learned by watching Julia Child, The Frugal Gourmet, Jacques Pépin and other cooks on PBS.  And finally she became  enchanted by French cuisine during  her sojourn in Lyon while earning a degree from UNC-Charlotte.

Denise cut her culinary chops in Washington, D.C., after earning a degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2002 she relocated to Paducah, Kentucky, with her artist husband, Craig Kittner, to open her own restaurant. The call of the North Carolina shore has lured Denise back to Wilmington, where she will tantalize TheatreNOW patrons with her creative and delicious offerings.

Contact Chef Denise at


MEET FACILITIES MANAGER HANK TOLER

Hank Toler is excited to be a part of the TheatreNOW team. He has been a resident of Wilmington, NC for the past five years. With parents active in the theater scene of his native Washington, North Carolina, Hank was “bitten by the bug” at an early age. That bug led him to pursue many and most opportunities to perform. His passion and enthusiasm for the arts led him to the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he graduated with a focus in Drama. With family long residing in Wilmington, Toler was very much familiar with the city and its thriving artistic culture which eventually led him to relocate to the area. He has since become one of the Port City’s resident theater rats, having worked with multiple companies and productions over the course of his tenure here. One of his last productions, Red Barn's Lobby Hero, landed him a nomination for Best Actor in a Play from Wilmington’s first ever Star News Theater Awards.


"It’s the dream of any person to be able to work in a field of which they are most passionate" says Toler, "and I certainly feel privileged to have come on board with TheatreNOW to add a new, dynamic, unique face to Wilmington’s arts scene."


Hank's duties with TheatreNOW include managing the day-to-day operations of the theatre including scheduling and maintenance. He is also the writer of the Friday night Comedy Dinner Theatre show and is directing both the Friday and Saturday night dinner theatre shows.


Contact Hank at:

hjtoler@theatrewilmington.com
MEET BAR MANAGER LESLIE TALBOTT
Leslie comes to us from Durham, NC, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School.  Her background includes entrepreneurship and hospitality and she is the current owner of a local produce distribution company called DoorStep Produce. In addition to starting and running several businesses, she has worked in the hospitality industry for over ten years where she discovered her passion for delicious foods and complimentary wines and spirits.  A self proclaimed foodie, she thrives on seeking out the best local eateries and sharing them with her fellow Wilmington patrons.  Leslie is excited to bring her enthusiasm for great food and beverages to the TheareNOW bar.   You can look forward to rotating specialty drink menus, great wines and even better service.

Contact Leslie at:
bar@theatrewilmington.com