Amphitheatre Restoration Campaign

Dear Community Friends, 

As a supporter of the arts in Burke County, we hope you share our excitement about the progress of Old Colony Players, Inc., our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more than 80 years, Old Colony Players (OCP) has brought quality community theatre to Valdese and surrounding counties. This coming year, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of “From This Day Forward,” our flagship outdoor drama sharing the 800-year Waldensian history and Valdese settlement each summer in the amphitheatre.

For generations, the amphitheatre has been more than an outdoor stage. It has been a place where the Valdese and Burke County community gathers to celebrate and create lasting memories. Built in 1968, it has served as a stage, event location, and cultural landmark for residents and visitors alike. After nearly 60 years, it now needs significant rebuilding to remain safe, structurally sound, and accessible while improving the experience for performers, volunteers, and audiences so OCP and the community can continue hosting productions and events.

Along with our annual giving drive, OCP is launching our Amphitheatre Restoration Campaign to restore our outdoor venue. Running two campaigns at once was not our first choice, but our Board of Directors felt the repairs needed were imperative and could not wait. Our membership drive goal is $40,000, while the amphitheatre restoration goal is $500,000. Enclosed are photos showing the amphitheatre’s current condition and renovation plan details. We have received donor commitments of $175,000 and hope to raise the remaining $325,000 through our capital campaign, which runs through January 11, 2027. We hope to complete most major rebuilds by June 2027.

Restoring the amphitheatre while keeping OCP financially strong will benefit Valdese and Burke County by drawing more visitors who support the local institutions, restaurants, museums, and parks we all value and enjoy year round. As a non-profit organization, OCP relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community partners to operate each year and make renovations like this possible. We ask for your financial support to help us continue offering quality community theatre in 2027 and preserve one of Valdese’s treasured landmarks.

Will you please help us reach our campaign goals?

We have included information detailing this campaign. Every contribution, regardless of size, brings us closer to restoring and enhancing this unique venue. We will gladly meet with anyone who has questions about our campaign. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and commitment to preserving the cultural traditions that make our community special.