By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Encore Series at NBCT is a full calendar of special events that happen parallel to the regular theatre season of plays and musicals produced each year. According to Executive Director, Michael Tahaney, “The Encore Series officially began in 2022 to offer audiences a variety of professional and semi-professional entertainment in our beautifully renovated theatre spaces. Recently, the historic Athens Theatre and lobby have been fully refurbished, as has the adjoining Studio Theatre (formerly known to many as the Athens Café). The audience experience has been our focus for the past two years to better match the longstanding tradition of high production quality at NBCT.”
As a newly hired executive director in 2022, Michael wanted to build on a tradition of high-quality productions and assure that patrons would have an audience experience that made the theatre a destination in itself. “Part of the improvement plan meant expanding our bar selections to include wines and beers that rival nearby high-end bars. Another goal was expanding our event offerings. That’s where the Encore Series was born” says Tahaney.
The word encore is defined as “something extra demanded by an audience, or a second achievement that surpasses the first.”
“While none of our events are intended to surpass one another, our Encore Series events are certainly something extra,” says Michael. “In 2022 and 2023, we brought talent of all kinds from all over the world to our stages. It’s been an amazing honor for me to work closely with the guest artists we’ve already hosted and I’m very excited to share what we have in store for 2024.”
The Encore Series is all about variety, offering something for everyone. For instance, many of the Encore Series events are intended for adult audiences who are not traditional theatregoers. Many of the music concerts, the Dangerous Prodigy Circus shows and Walk-In Bathtub Improv Comedy nights, purposefully offer those with edgier tastes an opportunity to enjoy sit-down theatre experiences. A great many patrons who have been theatre season regulars are now just as enthusiastic about Encore Season events.
“Numerous family-friendly events are also scheduled in the series and the calendar provides a rating guide in line with film/TV ratings to help decipher what is or is not appropriate for certain audiences,” says Michael. “To launch the Encore Series and our Season 2024, we are doing a launch concert and party on January 13. It’s a new concept for us. The concert/party package ticket includes assigned seating for the concert, two drinks, and an extended intermission in the Studio Bar with complimentary light-bite snacks. It’s an opportunity to mingle with friends and the band, The Will McBride Group. If the names Santana, Stevie Wonder, or John Mayer resonate with you, you’ll love this band’s funky, jazzy groove. The launch concert will be unlike anything else in New Bern.”
The Encore Series events in 2024 will include the New Bern Follies, Jazz concerts, the NC Film Fest, Folk-Rock concerts, aerial and circus arts, a gospel play, and even an all-puppet movie spoof. Something is happening live at NBCT nearly every weekend year-round.