What is Partners of the PAD?

It’s a group of supporters that host events throughout the season to help raise funds for the theater, dance and choir programs. We invite you to support the arts, reunite with friends and performers, and relive favorite shows at our events throughout the season. So come raise a glass with us and share in the joy of music, dance, and drama! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

UpStage-Haid Renovation Project

Over the decades, many have been fortunate enough to discover, develop and share their talents on the Abbeystage. The productions were hard work, but, oh, what fun! It was a magical time of our lives, forging bonds of friendship that only the combined efforts required to put on a show can. Some of those bonds will last lifetimes, but all tend to immediately rekindle whenever we’re reunited with our troupe mates. For some, the creative seeds blossomed into a permanent part of their lives, but for most, those special years might’ve been the only ones providing the opportunity to act, to dance, or to sing in front of an audience. We look at photos of ourselves in costume back in the day and might find it hard to believe we did it…but we did! That unique experience left a permanent streak of creative flair on our souls.

For almost fifty years, the venue for our splurge into theater has been the Haid. Those that traversed its creaky boards during most of the 80s – when the performance space was at the opposite end of the building and backstage was nothing more than a narrow alley-way – remember with a smile the challenges it posed and the opportunities for craziness and spontaneity.

The Haid underwent a major renovation in 1987 into its current configuration, and, man, was that a big improvement! Bigger shows with real production values, dressing rooms, space for props and set pieces…an actual theater, worthy of the incredible performances and sublime talent it showcased.
It’s time, though, for another overhaul, a mission we’re calling “UpStage”. The renovations envisioned by UpStage are: a new stage, new seating, more accessible ADA seating, new carpet, new paint, and a new main curtain.

This is a separate project from the Performing Arts Building currently under development on campus.

UpStage will specifically benefit “our” Haid. We invite any and all for whom their time on (or around) the stage occupies a happy place in their memories to reconnect with us; we’ve convened a group of Performance Arts alumni to plan a series of fun and creative get-togethers – including some that will allow you to time travel back to your stage days, shake off the rust and perform a little once again! We’d also like you to consider financially supporting UpStage – ANY amount welcome – to help improve the Haid for future audiences and those students who follow in our footsteps and take their place in the spotlight.

The Abbey Players theatre company was founded in 1883 and has been in continuous production for over 135 seasons. Casting is open to Belmont Abbey College students and members of the local community. We take great pride in creating professional-level productions in an intimate setting.

The Abbey Dancers perform a concert every spring, take part in the annual Christmas at the Abbey event and perform at a variety of community events throughout the year. Opportunities are open to all students of Belmont Abbey College.

Arts at the Abbey provides free cultural opportunities on the Belmont Abbey College campus for students and the community at large. Performers include locally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists and ensembles. Previous seasons have included musicians from Germany, Poland, Venezuela, Peru, and Australia and featured instruments such as the classical guitar, flute, and harp. To be on the mailing list or for more information about The Arts at the Abbey program, please call 704-461-6012.