Mission:
Centerstage Theatre produces quality theatre to entertain and culturally enrich South Sound audiences of all ages, believing that theatre should uplift the human spirit.
Vision:
Centerstage Theatre aspires to be a leading theatre in the Puget Sound region, with a reputation for innovative, accomplished productions of popular work and for new work with the widest possible audience appeal.
History:
Sharon and Norm Munsey founded Centerstage in 1977. The company performed at various locations, including the Group Health Facility, until the mid 1980's. It was re-born in 1998 with the construction of the Knutzen Family Theatre still under the leadership of Sharon and Norm Munsey. The company also produced smaller cast plays in a 48-seat studio facility at the Spectrum Business Park. In February 2004, Alan Bryce replaced the retiring Munseys. Centerstage created a strategic plan later that year, re-vamped its artistic policy, upgraded its corporate sponsorship programs and made many moves to firm up its financial status, which included dropping classes from its operation. In 2006, Centerstage produced 4 major shows at the Knutzen Family Theatre, and five in 2007. In the last two years Centerstage has won Best Season, Best New Play, Best Actress, Best Actor in a comedy or musical, Best Director of a comedy or musical from the Tacoma Newspapers.
In recent years, Centerstage has worked with talents as diverse as Martin Charnin (writer and director of Annie on Broadway); European Composer of the Year, Peter Sipos; 5-time Grammy Nominee, John Forster; and Karen Archer, a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain.
In 2008 Centerstage presented its Production of Aladdin at the Theatre On The Square in Tacoma. In February 2009, the company's hit show Always Patsy Cline moves to ACT Theatre in Seattle. And Centerstage has been invited by the Seattle Theatre Group to produce its Christmas Show at Seattle's downtown Moore Theatre.
