Aurora Theatre
www.auroratheatre.com
Sweet Charity
August 3 – September 2
Tigers Be Still
September 13-30
Betrayal
October 4-28
Christmas Canteen
November 23 – December 23
A Christmas Carol
November 29 – December 16
BOB
January 17 – February 10
Master Harold… and the Boys
February 14 – March 3
The Drowsy Chaperone
March 14 – April 7
Lark Eden
May 2-26
Vote for Aurora to win the Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Season!
In 1996, Aurora Theatre was established in a converted hardware store in Duluth, GA. The theatre was created as a for-profit subsidiary of Stage Right Entertainment. In 1998, Stage Right Entertainment was dissolved; Philip Albert retained the theatre’s assets and hired Anthony P. Rodriguez to serve as managing director. The theatre grew from 120 season subscribers to 421; however, continued expansion as a for-profit entity was unrealistic. In January of 1999, Anthony Rodriguez purchased the assets; incorporated, formed a board of directors and Aurora Theatre received its 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
In only 14 short years of operation, Aurora Theatre has become the largest performing arts organization in Gwinnett County. Where Aurora Theatre’s core audience was once derived from families around Duluth, the current audience now encompasses 221 different cities in 107 different counties. We attribute this growth to our commitment of creating new community partnerships like Gwinnett County Public Schools, Gwinnett County Public Library, Barefoot in the Park Arts Festival and local events, most notably, “Prelude to the 4th,” a countywide Independence Day celebration.
The City of Lawrenceville recognized the positive economic impact the arts have on its community and invited Aurora Theatre to serve as the cornerstone for their revitalization plans. In a unique partnership, the City of Lawrenceville purchased a 100-year-old church and, together with Aurora Theatre, transformed the space into a $7.5 million theatre complex. This state of the art facility opened in May of 2007. Aurora invites visitors to Lawrenceville, where they can experience intimate grandeur in Gwinnett County’s premiere theatrical venue: 2 theaters, the 250-seat Metro Waterproofing Strickland Family Stage and the 100-seat Gwinnett Federal Credit Union Studio, with a FREE 4-story parking deck attached for convenience.
Aurora Theatre’s ability to develop programming to meet the needs of an ever-changing society makes us both unique and valuable to the community we serve. The newest 2 programs added to the roster are Aurora Swing Nights, big band jazz concerts with red hot singers, and Funny Fridays, stand up comedy nights. This additional programming complements the current programming of:
Learning Library, educational plays based on the language arts curriculum, was developed in conjunction with Gwinnett County Schools.
Children's Playhouse presents Saturday morning shows featuring the best children's performers in the region.
With the explosive growth of Gwinnett County’s Hispanic population, Teatro del Sol produces plays in both Spanish and English.
Musicals by Moonlight treats audiences to a FREE evening of theatre employing 20 performers and full orchestral accompaniment featured during “Prelude to the 4th.”
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, a 90-minute walking tour through Lawrenceville, presents local history through the art of storytelling.
Aurora Academy & Conservatory, our education department, kicked off with summer camps in June of 2008.
Georgia Gwinnett College Lab Series, started in 2009, are edgier productions produced in our Studio theatre to attract the 18 to 25 year old audience.
With so many distinctive programs found only at Aurora Theatre, we are inextricably linked to our community.
Mission Statement
The Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality, professional theatre for the Southeast, North Georgia, and our most ardent supporters, the residents of Gwinnett County. We will serve these communities by offering entertainment that nurtures a love of theatre and develops a new generation of theatregoers.
Suzi Bass Awards History
2011-2012 Suzi Awards
Featured Actress Musical: Karen Howell, Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Featured Actor Musical: Bryant Smith, Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Director Musical: Lonny Price, Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Music Direction: Ann-Carol Pence, Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Sound Design Musical: Bobby Johnston, Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Outstanding World Premiere: Clyde 'n Bonnie: A Folktale
Audience Choice Award for Outstanding Theatrical Season
2010-2011 Suzi Awards
Featured Actor Musical: Jeremy Wood, Singin' in the Rain
Ensemble Play: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Costume Design Play: Linda Patterson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
2009-2010 Suzi Awards
Featured Actress Play: Nita Hardy, Boeing, Boeing
Lead Actress Musical: Ingrid Cole, A Catered Affair
Music Direction: Ann-Carol Pence, A Catered Affair
2008-2009 Suzi Awards
Lighting Design: Jessica Coale, Once on This Island
2007-2008 Suzi Awards
Lead Actress Musical: Natasha Drena, Annie Get Your Gun
Aurora Theatre
128 Pike Street
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045
678-226-6222
