A perfect pirouette, a line given with just the right inflection, a note hit with precise pitch. The feeling a performer gets when delivering a moving performance, matched with the feeling of the audience as they are moved by a performance. These moments are breath-taking and serve to inspire a continued love of the performing arts.
You can experience these moments as a performer and as a supporter of the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center. The Arts Center, at 123 E. Vance Street, officially opened in March 2019 after a combination of renovation and new construction created a space to house budding artists and experienced performers, and a means to display their talents. The building contains classrooms; an art gallery; studios for dance, painting, and digital art; and a 290-seat theater with a technical booth and performance support spaces.
Once the building was completed, the space soon filled with students learning from gifted instructors in art, dance, theatre, music, and more. In addition, the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center hosts a wide variety of professional musical and theatre performances from around the world.
Maureen Daly, Arts Center Director and director of the theatre program, explained the reason why the Center strives to offer so many programs to the community. “The amount of talent in our community is incredible. Our mission is to be the choice for arts in Fuquay-Varina. We provide quality, at affordable prices. The experience our patrons are getting is excellent; that is why they come back to us.”
If you would like to experience a great show while supporting our local talent, the Arts Center has a variety of performing groups to enjoy. The Southern Wake Players, a collaboration with the Holly Springs Cultural Center, offer three shows a year. Auditions are open to everyone, and the performers gain the experience of performing in two theaters. This spring, the Southern Wake Players will be performing “Angel Street” (previously produced under the title “Gaslight”), a suspenseful story of a man who slowly drives his wife to the brink of insanity through psychological manipulations. It is sure to be a thrilling performance. Auditions will be held March 25 in Holly Springs and March 26 in Fuquay-Varina, both at 7 p.m. Check the Arts Center website for more details.
You can see “Angel Street” at the Holly Springs Cultural Center on May 9, 10, and 11, and at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center on May 16, 17, and 18. Tickets are available at each center or through the online box office at www.fvarts.com.
In addition to the Southern Wake Players, the Arts Center offers a Young Actors Theatre for ages seven to 18. This spring they are performing Disney Pixar’s “Finding Nemo, Jr.” This group of young people, directed by Valerie Hobbs, meets twice a week for eight weeks to prepare for their performance, which includes musical tracks and digital sets. This is the second production staged by the Young Actors Theatre, and it will be full of fun for all ages. You can get your ticket online for the March 20 and 21, 7 p.m. performances.
The Arts Center is also home to the Fuquay-Varina Chorale. This 80-member chorus group, directed by Margaret Cook, is a non-auditioned community of singers who meet once a week. Since their inception in 2018, the Chorale has been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall, the Fuquay-Varina 9/11 service, and the opening of the Special Olympics State Games. You won’t want to miss their concert at the Arts Center on Friday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the Center or online at www.fvarts.com. If you would like to join the Chorale, you can contact the Arts Center at 919-567-3920.
The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center offers many other programs, such as the Inclusive Theatre focusing on those with special needs, the annual community Nutcracker performance in December, and dance recitals featuring the Arts Center dance students.
“Production programs are so important,” explained Daly. “For children, they learn discipline, responsibility, how to work together, and how to live up to their commitments. It’s an important part of life. For all performers, we will challenge them to do good work and to keep getting better.”
If you are interested in any of the programs at the Arts Center, or you would like to suggest a new program, you can visit their website or speak with a receptionist at the Arts Center front desk.
The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center is a place where people of all ages can explore their creativity, learn new talents and skills, and showcase their artform. It is also a place where people can gather to appreciate not just the fine arts, but those who create such beautiful moments.
