Our Mission
Centerstage Theatre produces quality theatre to entertain and culturally enrich
South Sound audiences of all ages, believing that theatre should uplift the human
spirit.
Our Vision
Centerstage Theatre aspires to be a leading theatre in the Puget Sound region, with
a reputation for innovative, accomplished productions of popular work and for new
work with the widest possible audience appeal.
History
Sharon and Norm Munsey founded Centerstage in 1977. The company performed at various
locations, including the Group Health Facility, until the mid 1980's. It was re-born
in 1998 with the construction of the Knutzen Family Theatre still under the leadership
of Sharon and Norm Munsey. The company also produced smaller cast plays in a 48-seat
studio facility at the Spectrum Business Park. In February 2004, Alan Bryce replaced
the retiring Munseys. Centerstage created a strategic plan later that year, re-vamped
its artistic policy, upgraded its corporate sponsorship programs and made many moves
to firm up its financial status, which included dropping classes from its operation.
In 2006, Centerstage produced 4 major shows at the Knutzen Family Theatre, and five
in 2007. In the last two years Centerstage has won Best Season, Best New Play, Best
Actress, Best Actor in a comedy or musical, Best Director of a comedy or musical
from the Tacoma Newspapers.
In recent years, Centerstage has worked with talents as diverse as Martin Charnin
(writer and director of Annie on Broadway); European Composer of the Year, Peter
Sipos; 5-time Grammy Nominee, John Forster; and Karen Archer, a member of the Royal
Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain.
In 2008 Centerstage presented its Production of Aladdin at the Theatre On The Square
in Tacoma. In February 2009, the company's hit show Always Patsy Cline moves to
ACT Theatre in Seattle. And Centerstage has been invited by the Seattle Theatre
Group to produce its Christmas Show at Seattle's downtown Moore Theatre.