Mission:
Center Stage Theatre is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and enhance the lives of people living along the Gulf Coast and surrounding areas by offering a broad range of quality theatrical programs for their entertainment and education, and to provide people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to participate in play production and other theatre activities.
History:
Center Stage Theatre was founded in 1975 by Jo Love Little, Chuck White, Martin Miazza, Dot Miazza, Becky Moreton, Keith Moreton, Chester Delacruz, and Boyce Holleman. Fifteen seasons were spent in a converted body shop on Cowan Road in Gulfport, where Center Stage produced hits such as ‘night, Mother, Steel Magnolias, and Crimes of the Heart, which directly built a reputation for acting, sets, and direction. Center Stage was also known as a group that was not afraid to take a chance and would do the unusual show…artistic freedom!
In 1990 Center Stage moved into a new theatre off of Eisenhower Drive in Biloxi, after 10 years of planning and fundraising! The state-of-the-art theatre retained its intimate atmosphere, but gained the facilities necessary to produce professional quality productions. Headed into its 35th year, Center Stage is a semi-professional non-profit community theatre whose driving force is artistic excellence. We are also the only Coast theatre with a full-time Artistic Director, Chuck White. Mr. White has been with Center Stage since its inception and has been one of the primary driving forces behind our success.
Center Stage presents four regular season shows, one summer fundraiser, and two children’s theatre productions annually as well as a summer children’s theatre workshop called Stage Stars. We also feature small, one-night fundraisers throughout the year called SNACS (Saturday Night at Center Stage). These are evenings with a coffeehouse feel that showcase local talent.
