Culture

Johnston County Is Perfecting the Art of Entertainment

Johnston Community College hosts more than 200 events each year.

Johnston County‚ an area of 152‚000 residents‚ knows what it takes to create and nurture artists who appeal to a wide audience. The 10 towns of the region enjoy a variety of entertainment options‚ from bluegrass to contemporary plays.

A Facility for All Reasons

Take‚ for example‚ Johnston Community College in Smithfield‚ which offers a thriving performing arts venue and hosts more than 200 events each year.

According to Ken Mitchell‚ director of the auditorium‚ the 1‚000-seat facility has three purposes.

“First‚ we provide cultural enrichment through our Performing Arts Concerts series and have featured such national and international entertainers as Tony Orlando‚ Three Dog Night‚ Doc Watson and Mickey Rooney‚” Mitchell says.

“We have also hosted national musical productions such as Guys and Dolls and even Footloose.”

The performing arts center also hosts the bimonthly JCC Country Music Showcase for local artists‚ which enables regional talent to perform with a live band in a professional setting.

Clayton’s Center of Attention

The Clayton Center is another thriving performance venue‚ where many national headliners come to entertain audiences.

Best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris brought the house down with his self-deprecating style and razor-sharp wit. Musical legends Ricky Skaggs and Doc Watson have awed visitors to the 600-seat auditorium with their mastery of bluegrass. And The Harlem Gospel Choir‚ one of the world’s most renowned gospel choirs‚ has touched the souls of the faithful from the region.

The auditorium‚ which consists of a main floor and balcony‚ is a work of art itself. Originally built in the 1920s as a school auditorium‚ the Classical Revival structure was renovated in 2002.

“What’s remarkable about the center is what it means to the community and how much the community supports the center‚” says Heidi Stump‚ the center’s executive director. “The community really came together to build the center‚ and now they buy season tickets and they volunteer – the investment that the community has made is amazing.

“Clayton is really growing‚” Stump adds‚ “and the center is important to that growth. The center represents the progress that Clayton has made as a town and the potential Clayton has for the future. It is a symbol of a town that is developing into a vibrant artistic community.”

The Grand Ole Rudy Theatre

Another Johnston County success story is the American Music Jubilee‚ which performs in Selma’s Rudy Theatre.

Begun in 1998 by Tony Davis and Spook Joyner‚ the variety show resembles performances in Myrtle Beach‚ S.C.‚ and Branson‚ Mo.

Audiences always enjoy the Jubilee’s two-hour extravaganza of music and wholesome comedy. Now in its ninth year‚ the high-energy‚ musical variety show has entertained more than 350‚000 people.

In addition to the musical variety show‚ the festive American Music Jubilee’s Southern Christmas Show is a perennial favorite.

The 565-seat Rudy Theatre also hosts a concert series‚ including Eddie Miles’ popular “Salute to Elvis.”

“The old theater was built in 1948‚” Joyner says‚ “and when we started‚ it was all boarded up. We have done a lot of renovation to it. People in town knew it as the Rudy Theatre‚ so we call it the Grand Ole Rudy Theatre.

“We take pride in presenting a good family show‚” he continues. “We don’t serve alcohol‚ only sodas and popcorn.”

Two other performing arts facilities in Johnston County provide entertaining‚ well-produced theater.

Affectionately referred to as “The Hut‚” the Neuse Little Theatre recently celebrated its 100th performance and has contributed to the high-quality theater for which Johnston County has become known.

The W.J. Barefoot Auditorium has hosted plays by the Benson Little Theatre since its inception in 2000. The 350-seat auditorium also stages concerts‚ pageants and theatrical productions.

Story by Mary Best
Photo by Ian Curcio

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