The Carolina Theatre of Greensboro is a community staple many have enjoyed since 1927. Year after year, cherished traditions like The Nutcracker, The Sound of Music screening, and The Wizard of Oz grace its stage and screen, offering entertainment and community under the glow of its historic ambiance.
While the theatre continues to honor its mission of “Presenting Arts. Preserving History. Promoting Community.”, it is also embracing a forward-looking vision to ensure its programming remains vibrant, relevant, and inclusive. New Executive Director Allie Arpajian, who joined the team three months ago, brings a fresh perspective to this mission. Growing up in theatres much like the Carolina, Allie understands the importance of investing in these spaces for future generations, including her three-year-old daughter. “We need to remember that we are joyful people,” Arpajian reflects. “The arts remind us of that and bring unity through diversity.”
The Carolina Theatre is setting its sights on deeper community engagement and innovative programming. Plans include collaborations with other arts nonprofits, identifying and filling programming gaps, expanding educational initiatives, and connecting with the growing number of young families in Greensboro.
In addition to yearly favorites like The Sound of Music in May, the Carolina Kids Club summer series, and spring dance competitions, audiences can look forward to exciting new offerings, including increased live music events, the Celebrating Black Cinema series, and a live Q&A with Greg Sestero from the cult classic The Room.
The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro has had a long-standing relationship with the Carolina Theatre throughout the years. Most recently, they participated in the New Creative Investment cohorts where they gained tools for organizational stability and sustainability.
“The matrix mapping examining our programs and their impact has been particularly helpful”, says Arpajian. “The cohorts have helped us to make informative decisions and address opportunities for growth. The key learning takeaways have been a guiding light for us in our next phase at the Carolina Theatre”.
As part of the Celebrating Black Cinema series, the Carolina Theatre will host a special event on February 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM. This evening will feature a screening of Claudine in the Crown, accompanied by The Warnersville Chronicles, a film celebrating Guilford County’s history, vibrancy, and people in the Warnersville community, produced by Shared Radiance, a 2024 Community Elevation Grantee.
