Taking center stage

Drawn by a love of musical theatre, outdoor drama, and the welcoming atmosphere of Burke County, Melanie Cornelison-Jannotta has taken the helm as the new executive director of Valdese’s Old Colony Players (OCP).

After just a week, settled into her sunlit office at the Old Rock School, Cornelison-Jannotta is already getting to know the lay of the land. She said her new job was enticing for a number of reasons.

“I love outdoor drama, and love the history behind it,” she said, “and I love this part of the state as well. So it just was a very appealing opportunity.”

Cornelison-Jannotta, who most recently held the position of executive director for The Prizery theatre in South Boston, Va., is currently commuting to Valdese from Winston-Salem, where she lives with her husband, Joshua.

For Cornelison-Jannotta, theatre is in her blood.

“My parents introduced me to musicals early on in my life, and I’ve always been involved in the arts,” she stated. “I took dance as a small kid, I did shows from very early on and was in marching band all the way through school and college. So, the arts have always played a huge part in my life.”

Cornelison-Jannotta said she is especially passionate about community theatre, and the OCP organization feels like a great fit for her creative nature. Her background as an educator, (she holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Appalachian State, with a minor in music and dance as well as a teaching certificate in K-12 Theatre Arts) compels Cornelison-Jannotta to lean into expanding the role of OCP toward Burke County’s youth.

“I think theatre plays a huge part in developing children’s love for the arts in general, and developing those future audiences,” she said. “We’re looking to further develop our youth program and have shows that are geared for children to act in as well as be the audience for, because, if you give these youth the opportunity to be leads in youth productions, it helps prepare them to be leads in bigger shows and bigger productions.”

In light of cuts to arts programs in North Carolina’s public schools over the last decade, the new executive director would like to nurture Old Colony Players’ relationship with the local education system. She said arts programs help many students find the “home” they badly need.

“The more the arts are taken out of the schools, the fewer opportunities there are for students who need to find their niche,” she stated. “Being able to be involved in community theatre helps them find their place and find their family. It also helps them be able to have something where they’re successful.

“Some may struggle with academics or may not have that class that clicks with them, but they come to the theatre and that’s where they’re able to shine and have their moment,” she added.

In addition to developing that love for the arts, theatre teaches things like self-confidence, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills, she stated.

Cornelison-Jannotta is already jumping into her new role with relish, attending rehearsals of the upcoming OCP production of “Something Rotten,” (which premieres April 18 at the Old Rock School) and digging into the company’s venerable annual summer production, “From This Day Forward,” which will celebrate its 57th anniversary in 2025.

She’s also finding her way around Valdese, where she says she’s already feeling at home.

“I love it,” Cornelison-Jannotta said of the town. “Right after I had my interview, I brought my parents and my husband up here for the day, and we just kind of explored and looked around.

“I grew up in a small town. I love small towns, and Valdese just has so many appealing things,” she stated. “The people here are so nice. Everybody that I’ve met has been so helpful and welcoming, and I am just thrilled and looking forward to getting to know the theatre community as well as the community at large.

“I would like to bring the best theatre we can to Valdese,” Cornelison-Jannotta said.

Edyth Potter, who had served as Old Colony Players’ executive director for six years, resigned the position in December 2024.