Valdese theater faces another casting call for Its director
Former Old Colony Players Director Melanie Cornelison-Jannotta began working with the Valdese theater group in April and resigned the position in August.
Former Old Colony Players Director Melanie Cornelison-Jannotta began working with the Valdese theater group in April and resigned the position in August.
The Old Colony Players present their flagship production, ‘From This Day Forward,’ each summer in Valdese.
‘Escape to Margaritaville’ was a big hit in Valdese. The Old Colony Players presented a two-weekend run of the popular musical in 2024. The theater group is currently seeking a new director.
For the second time this year, the Old Colony Players (OCP) community theater group finds itself searching for a director. The Valdese organization first began its quest for a leader when longtime administrator Edyth Potter resigned near the end of 2024.
The OCP board of directors selected Melanie Cornelison-Jannotta as its new director in March after a four-month quest. She began work in mid-April, but after being offered an opportunity to return to a job as artistic director at The Andy Griffith Playhouse in Mount Airy, Cornelison-Jannotta resigned in early August.
“I always felt in my heart that someday I would be back in Mount Airy,” Cornelison-Jannotta wrote on social media. “I began last week as the artistic director once again, and I can’t wait to see all of my friends and make new connections.”
OCP board members said the former director departed on good terms.
“Melanie left to take the position of artistic director, which she held several years ago at the Andy Griffith Playhouse,” a board member said. “The theater is closer to her family, didn’t require a move, and offered her an employee package she couldn’t refuse.”
According to the board, Cornelison-Jannotta has offered to help the Burke theater group during the time of transition.
“The OCP board of directors wishes her nothing but the very best in her future endeavors and will always consider her a friend to OCP,” the spokesperson stated.
The Old Colony Players board of directors has posted the director position on its website (oldcolonyplayers.com). The job will be advertised online until filled, although a spokesperson said the board hopes to close applications by the end of this month.
“The OCP Board is looking for an individual who is organized and driven,” the board member stated, “Someone to provide strong leadership that results in a successful performing arts program which provides high-quality performances and training for performing arts students.”
Old Colony Players currently has two plays on the calendar, “Nightfall, with Edgar Allen Poe,” which is scheduled for mid-October, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” slated for an early December run.
The board of directors is overseeing contracted show directors for the upcoming productions.
“The OCP board of directors is working closely with the show directors, production teams and volunteers during this time of transition,” the spokesperson said.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, or sandra@thepaper.media.
