“There is something special about this long-standing Asheville tradition of free outdoor theater that the Montford Park Players provide. Picnics, bottles of wine, pints of local brews and a setting sun combine for a perfect atmosphere. In the world of local theater, these are the official signs that summer is on its way.”
MOUNTAIN XPRESS
The mission of Montford Park Players is to serve as North Carolina’s longest running Shakespeare theatre company, primarily dedicated to performing the works of Shakespeare, and dedicated to providing exceptional dramatic entertainment for the enrichment, education, and enjoyment of our audiences.
Perhaps you’ve seen a play in the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. If so, you know what a delightful experience it is. If you haven’t, you owe it to yourself to experience Shakespeare in the Park.
Some highlights of the Montford Park Players…
Montford Park Players is one of only 15 theatres worldwide to have staged every single one of Shakespeare’s plays.
In 2018, MPP recorded the highest attendance in our history with over 18,000 patrons attending our performances and was named the Community Theatre Award winner by the North Carolina Theatre Conference.
Approximately 30 percent of our audience comes from outside the Asheville area and those travelers generate approximately $1.6 million annually in revenue for the city and its businesses.
MMP was established as a 501(c)3 organization in 1975. Our operating support comes from individuals making annual gifts and audience donations, foundation grants, business sponsorships, donated services and materials. Montford Park Players (MPP) was founded by Hazel Robinson in 1973 with a rendition of Shakespeare’s ever-popular pastoral comedy As You Like It, performed in a municipal park on Montford Avenue in the historic Montford neighborhood. A few years later, with our summer program well-established, MPP began presenting Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and was instrumental in establishing in A Dickens Village Celebration in Biltmore Village as part of Asheville’s winter holiday celebrations. Participating in A Dickens Village continues some 40+ years later.
Executive Director John Russell became the first employee and CEO in 2006. He has been instrumental in growing the audience and enhancing the audience experience since his arrival. He was appointed to the Board of North Carolina Arts Council in July 2017 by Governor Roy Cooper and currently serves on the North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation Board as Vice President and Fundraising Chair.