Lee Street theatre was established in 2008 with the original goal of presenting alternative forms of performance art to the community.
In the years that have followed, the company has lived up to this goal and become known for the diverse styles of programming offered, including one-act play festivals, original ten-minute play festivals, off-broadway style musicals and revues, reader’s theatre, of dance performances, original plays, variety shows, live music, and improvisational comedy. Showing a dedication to new playwrights, of the more than eighty programs that have been offered, Lee Street theatre has produced three full length, sixty ten-minute, and five one-act world premiere plays.
For 4 years, Lee Street theatre rented the black box theatre at the Looking Glass Artists Center for performances. In September 2012, Lee Street theatre embarked on its first ever Capital Campaign to build a new performing arts center in Downtown Salisbury. Construction was completed in November of 2013 and the Lee Street Theatre & Performing Arts Center at the Tom & Martha Smith Event Center has been a leader in the revitalization of the ‘Railwalk Arts District’ in Downtown Salisbury.
Our Values
Awards & Honors
Honored by the North Carolina Theatre Conference with the 2013 Community Theatre Award. This award recognized the important collaboration among Lee Street’s staff, its Board of Directors, St. Thomas Players, volunteers and people in the community to develop and produce an excellent theatre experience.
In 2017, the theatre ranked second among the “Ten Best Places for Live Theatre” in North Carolina. The press release announcing this honor states, “Lee Street is the place in Salisbury to grab a show and “experience the feeling.” The Board of Directors and staff are proud to be recognized by the industry for its hard work and dedication to provide quality entertainment to the citizens of Salisbury and surrounding communities.
Staff
Executive Director Rod Oden
Whether for the audiences on a professional stage or teaching students in a technical workshop, Rod Oden is proud to have over fifteen years experience in a variety of venues, genres and audiences. Rod has designed on stages from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and in virtually every type of venue. He enjoys working alongside community members, volunteers and students to help grow and create professional experiences in the theatre. Rod’s experience has provided him a varied theatrical background, including being a former Artistic Director, founding 2 non-for-profit theatre groups, marketing and business systems for the theatre, all the while enjoying the privilege of Technical Directing.
Some of his favorite work includes Tuck Everlasting (New Orleans Regional Premiere), Chicago, August: Osage County, The 39 Steps, The Mousetrap, Spamalot, How I learned to Drive, Shrek, and Lombardi (WV Premiere). Rod was previously the Production Manager & Technical Director of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society in New Orleans, LA and the Technical Director of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV. He has worked with countless community theaters, educational organizations and professional troupes to produce quality, high-end productions audiences have enjoyed watching.
As Executive Director, Rod looks forward to continuing Lee Street’s strong delivery of productions, concerts and events that exemplify our Mission Statement and Values. He also looks forward to continuing and growing our community partnerships, investing even more on the strong community that is Salisbury. Rod is blessed and thankful for his beautiful wife Raquel and his four precious boys Tristan, Lucas, Jamie and Sylar. He also enjoys spending time with his two lovely daughters Ariel and Isabelle.
Board of Directors
Alice Rich
Board Chair
David Carmichael
Vice Chair
Diane Hooper
Treasurer
Margaret Faust
Secretary
John Rosko
Ex-Officio
Members-At-Large
Beth Bentley
David Carmichael
Mark Curran
Carrie Bardinas
Lizzy Roy
Abby Leichman
Tori Carpenter