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Theatre Guild of Rockingham County: Not just friends, More like family.
In 1989, Gene Sanders directed Bye, Bye Birdie and launched the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County.
Thirty-four years and one hundred thirty four productions later, The Guild remains a source of community
pride and artistic expression. Each season, TGRC focuses on its core objectives: to create, to cultivate,
and to collaborate. This season those objectives are all focused on family.
In all five shows this season, characters are close friends who become like family. They may be strangers
brought together through circumstances, or they are family members who move closer to one another. No
matter the show, you’ll get a sense of family. The 35th season begins with Disney’s Finding Nemo JR in
October, followed by Bright Star in December, Terms of Endearment in February, Steal Away in March,
and Oklahoma in June. Not only will The Guild create 5 productions, but they will also create a sense of
family and inclusion.
Not only are these stories about friends and family, but everyone involved in each production also
becomes part of the greater theatre family. The Guild itself is a large family of volunteers, staff, sponsors,
members, and attendees who collaborate together to create and experience the magic of live theatre. It is
this collaboration with every aspect of the community that has made TGRC an integral part of
Rockingham County for so many years.
“TGRC is a place where relationships are formed and grow stronger with each show. Get on stage with
us, be a part of backstage, or be in the audience,” encourages Artistic Director, Justin Bulla.
Cultivating this sense of family and community, The Guild strives to engage every aspect of Rockingham
County from its rural roots, to its children, to its citizens. Nemo is a JR show with children ages 7-17 on
stage, Bright Star tells a NC love story with an Appalachian, bluegrass twist, Terms of Endearment deals
with the difficulties of broken families and illness, Steal Away has African-American community organizers
making the jump from bake sales to bank robbery, and Oklahoma is a tale of romance and rivalry
between farmers and cowboys.
Visit www.TGRC-NC.com to learn more about the Guild’s history, goals, and shows. You can also become
a member, season sponsor, volunteer, or actor. Come join the theatre family, and remember what Justin
Bulla says.
“No matter what, you’re not just a friend, but you are our TGRC family.”
Originally founded by Gene Saunders in 1989 with an inaugural production of Bye Bye Birdie; this year
marks TGRC’s 35th season. Justin Bulla has served as The Guild’s Artistic Director since 2017.
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