Old Colony Players

06/02/2026

Tonight, the Waldensian Heritage Museum allowed our actors to come explore the museum and learn the real history of the people that they are portraying on stage. They got to see pictures and artifacts and talk to descendants of the people in the story and it really brought everything together for all of us.

Thank you so much for all the support that you have given us and for opening up the museum to teach us the history.

05/29/2026

We are proud to be able to share this amazing story with the community for the 59th year! Come out and see us on Friday and Saturday nights from July 10th through August 8th to hear this history.

On May 29, 1893, after traveling several days by train from New York, the first group of 29 Waldensian settlers arrived in the area that would become known as Valdese.
The group was welcomed by a crowd of nearly 50 people from neighboring communities. In gratitude and friendship, the settlers gifted members of the welcoming party edelweiss flowers they had carried across the sea from their homeland. After the warm greetings, the difficult work began. The settlers immediately set to work clearing land and preparing the area for the larger groups that would arrive later that year.
Shown here is a list of the first 29 settlers, along with photographs from the group’s first year in the area.
Today we remember this group and the sacrifices they made so that we could all be here today. Through their courage, faith, and determination, they built not only homes and farms, but the foundation of a community that continues to thrive more than 130 years later. We honor their legacy and remain grateful for the enduring spirit they brought to Valdese.

05/28/2026

And so it begins…

Tonight is the first rehearsal for our annual outdoor drama, From This Day Forward. With new improvements that are coming to the amphitheater, along with a very enthusiastic cast, we hope that you will follow along on our adventure to make the 59th season of our show the best one yet.

05/24/2026

We had an AWESOME first night of auditions! Couldn’t make it out last night but still interested? Join us tonight at the Old Rock School Auditorium from 7-9 for our last day!

05/23/2026

We have been keeping a close eye on the weather situation in regards to auditions for our outdoor drama this weekend.

Now, typically when it comes to the outdoor drama, our motto is “if it rains, we get wet” but when it comes to auditions, we think everyone deserves the opportunity to shine without having to worry about the elements!

If you’ve already signed up, you will be getting an email with this information. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can still join us this evening, 7pm at the Old Rock School auditorium!

05/21/2026

REMINDER: If you want to audition this weekend, can you please fill out this sign up form ahead of time? It helps the production team and makes auditions go a lot smoother!

From This Day Forward is the longest consecutive running outdoor drama in North Carolina! This drama tells the story of the Waldenses, a people from the area known as the Cottian Alps in Northern Italy near the French border, and the founders of the Town of Valdese Audition Dates are May 23rd and Ma...

05/19/2026

Reminder! Auditions for our annual outdoor drama, From This Day Forward, are this coming weekend! Will we see you there?

05/18/2026

We still have three shows left in the 2026 season! Want a chance to have your business featured in the playbill for From This Day Forward, Disney's Descendants, and Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon?

Contact us today for more information!

05/18/2026

Happy Auditions Week! We are so excited to see everyone on Saturday or Sunday for auditions for our annual outdoor drama!

Reminder! Audition Dates are May 23rd and May 24th at 7:00 PM at the Fred B. Cranford Amphitheater. The only thing needed for auditions are closed-toe shoes and clothes you feel comfortable moving in! If you cannot make it in-person please reach out to Old Colony Players to receive more details.

Shows Dates are July 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 31st, August 1st, 7th and 8th at 8:00 pm.

The rehearsal period is six weeks with a tech week

Tech week and ALL show dates are mandatory!

We are looking for actors, singers, dancers and stage combatants!

All roles are available and all roles are paid. All ages and experience levels are welcome but please note that some content in the show may not be suitable for children.

If you are interested in joining us this summer, please fill out the following audition form!

From This Day Forward is the longest consecutive running outdoor drama in North Carolina! This drama tells the story of the Waldenses, a people from the area known as the Cottian Alps in Northern Italy near the French border, and the founders of the Town of Valdese Audition Dates are May 23rd and Ma...

05/15/2026

Reminder! Audition Dates are May 23rd and May 24th at 7:00 PM at the Fred B. Cranford Amphitheater. The only thing needed for auditions are closed-toe shoes and clothes you feel comfortable moving in! If you cannot make it in-person please reach out to Old Colony Players to receive more details.

Shows Dates are July 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 31st, August 1st, 7th and 8th at 8:00 pm.

The rehearsal period is six weeks with a tech week

Tech week and ALL show dates are mandatory!

We are looking for actors, singers, dancers and stage combatants!

All roles are available and all roles are paid. All ages and experience levels are welcome but please note that some content in the show may not be suitable for children.

If you are interested in joining us this summer, please fill out the following audition form!

From This Day Forward is the longest consecutive running outdoor drama in North Carolina! This drama tells the story of the Waldenses, a people from the area known as the Cottian Alps in Northern Italy near the French border, and the founders of the Town of Valdese Audition Dates are May 23rd and Ma...