Jean Gordon
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 11:30 am

The Rutherford County Arts Council has reorganized and changed its name and named a new leader. During a recent meeting with supporters, friends, actors and family, everyone learned the former Arts Council is now Rutherford Stage.

Devin McEnnerney, who has been serving as Executive Director since the passing of his father three years ago, spoke about his parents Matthew and Diane McEnnerney, during the public meeting. The McEnnerneys founded the organization in 1971 with the performance of Camelot. Since then, countless theatrical performances, along with many other artistic projects, have gone on consistently.

"The thing I would most associate with my parents' legacy was involving everybody in the theatre," Devin said. "Giving everyone an opportunity to express their talent, to find out that they had talent, and to enjoy it. Generation after generation, especially kids, were able to get involved and perform onstage. A high standard of production is what they were invited into. So, the RCAC Board of Directors felt that it is most important to continue the theatre program. After Mom's passing last year, we acknowledged that although it feels like the end of an era, it's also an opportunity to start fresh with new energy in a new era," Devin continued.

He credited the production teams of the past three years, led by Mike McKinney and Laura Link, for making it possible to carry on consistently.

Devin announced he is stepping down as Executive Director and introduced Laura Link as the new leader of the organization.

"I am honored and thrilled to be trusted to carry on this immense 54-year legacy," Link said. "Matthew and Diane had a huge impact on my life, starting when I first auditioned for a play in the third grade. I know that they also impacted countless members of our community through their service. As we move forward, we intend to honor them in everything we do."

"I am excited to be able to finally share with you all the things we have been working on since we found out we would need to relocate from Maple Street," she said.

Rutherford County Schools has allowed the Arts Council the use of the Maple Street building for the last 14 years, and "we thank them for their support and long partnership," Link said. "RCS will be providing us a location to move all of our things into. This move will take place within the next few months, and many volunteers will be needed to make this happen."

The Town of Rutherfordton has agreed to assist with the move.

"As soon as we are able, we will formally announce this new location. We will most likely not be able to use this space for rehearsing and performing, so we will be seeking other venues for this," Link said.

The spring musical will be one of Diane McEnnerney's most beloved plays, Cinderella. Auditions for this continue through January 9 (tonight) and will be held in the lobby at the Foundation Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College. Auditions will be from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the lobby. No one will be added after Thursday, January 9. The performances will be on Friday, March 14 at 7pm and Saturday, March 15 at 3pm. The final week before the play, rehearsals will be held every night. Everyone will be given a role, no previous experience is needed, and no special preparation is required to audition.

A Christmas Carol at the Foundation next December is also being planned. Other planned projects are a cabaret-style musical revue, directed by Tyler Graeper, in late spring, and a short Shakespeare performance for adults and older kids in late summer or early fall. The location of these will be announced later.

"An "Arts Council" by definition exists to support multiple artists and arts organizations in their community through the distribution of grant monies, running of various programs " said Link.

"Mr. McEnnerney certainly served in that capacity, but going forward we will be solely focused on the performing arts aspect that we are most known for. We are a community theatre, dedicated to providing opportunities for everyone - all ages and experience levels - to participate," said Link.

"Going forward, I am thrilled to announce that we will be known as Rutherford Stage," Link concluded.