Who are we?
Theatre Fostering Community
Our Mission
The Stage Oconee exists to provide family friendly entertainment for audiences, help performers grow in their gifts, and train technical crew in their areas of interest!
About Us
The Stage Oconee is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our leadership consists of the Board of Directors and our Administrative Team. In addition, our Creative Teams are filled with experienced people who love and serve the community.
Our Goals
Each year, The Stage Oconee performs family friendly shows for thousands of people in our community and beyond. We also provide a location for local groups to rent our space for recitals, shows, birthday parties, and more.
Our future goals include partnering with new sponsors, connecting with local donors, raising sufficient funds to purchase quality microphones, and replacing our studio flooring. We also seek to give back to the community through events specifically designed for the people around us. If you would like to partner with us, please click on our donation information button on our home page or fill out our volunteer information form.
Our History
The Stage Oconee originated as Cornerstone Productions in 2006. Out of their love for theatre and due to the absence of community faith-based Christmas shows, Justin and Sharon Carter founded Cornerstone Productions to fill that gap. They dreamed of providing the Oconee community a place where families could enjoy performing theatre together in an encouraging and supportive environment. The first five years were limited to one Christmas show per year, but soon the community began asking for more productions.
After a name change in 2016 to Brightstone Productions, we expanded our repertoire over the years adding a MainStage show and eventually production classes for students and adult-only productions as well. We maintain a steady stream of 6-8 shows each season and have added student camps during the summer.
In December of 2023, we undertook another name change - The Stage Oconee. The new name allows us to celebrate the amazing journey we have taken over the years. Not only are we a venue, but we are a stage where stories are told, talents are showcased, and the spirit of community thrives. We are committed to fostering creativity and connection and providing quality entertainment for all ages. We look forward to a future filled with continued inspiration and collective celebration.
Youth Protection Program
The safety of all participants is important to us. In the 2023-2024 season, we will be implementing employee background checks and youth protection training. All administrative staff, directors, assistant directors, choreographers, and music directors will have a background check. In addition, all staff and volunteers who have direct access to children will receive youth protection training specific to our environment. Youth protection training includes guidelines like the “Rule of Three,” which requires students and staff to be in groups of three or more at all times.
If you would like more information or a copy of our youth protection guidelines, please contact us at admin@thestageoconee.com