Wilson Family Black Box
Upstairs at Old Courthouse Theatre
OCT's Wilson Family Black Box Theatre
Our Black Box space has been developing and growing over the past few years. An intimate, underground space with unique ambiance and uses, the Black Box is now home to many celebrated OCT events: The Living Room Reading Series, Papa Capp's Variety Show, The 10-Minute Play Festival, The Winter Series, Post-Mortem Players smaller productions, and OCT Summer Camps. When not in use for performances, the space can be used for rehearsals and meetings.
OCT views this venue as an opportunity to offer productions and events that call for a more intimate environment, as it holds fewer than half the seats of the main stage. Such a space allows us to explore lesser-known titles and sometimes “edgier” subject matter.
Recently, the Wilson Family Black Box has seen facility improvements, such as isolated heating and air conditioning units, dedicated lighting and sound systems, and updated seating. OCT continues to dedicate resources to further developing and improving the Black Box space for exciting future endeavors.
2027 Wilson Family Black Box Series
Four signature programs live in the Black Box. Here is what is coming up.
16th Season
The 10-Minute Play Festival
2027 will see OCT's Ten Minute Play Festival enter its 16th season — a celebration of local talent: playwrights, directors, actors, and crew. It is a labor of love: all people connected to the festival are volunteers, investing time and talent to support our theatre. It also serves as a fund-raiser — all proceeds (except a small stipend for the writers) go directly to support everything OCT does, from producing plays to maintaining its 100-year-old building.
We will announce the theme of the 2027 10-Minute Play Festival in February 2027. Check our website and social media for the theme and how you can submit your play for consideration.
Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
Living Room Reading Series
- October 4, 2026Buyer & Cellar by Jonathan Tolins
- November 8, 2026Looped by Matthew Lombardo
- January 3, 2027The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane
- February 7, 2027Hollywood by Joe DiPietro
- March 7, 2027Hollywood Arms by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett
- April 4, 2027Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet
- May 16, 2027Hollywood, Nebraska by Kenneth Jones
- June 13, 2027True West by Sam Shephard
Already performed this season: The Shark is Broken by Joseph Nixon and Ian Shaw.
Capp's
First Tuesday of every month
Papa Capp's Music Variety Show
Papa Capp pitched the idea of a variety show to the Old Courthouse Theatre Board of Directors about two and a half years ago. Since then, we have produced the event over 24 times and still going strong! All acts and performances are welcome to offer their art in a safe and supportive environment — singers showcasing original and cover tunes, improvised skits, comedians, storytellers, poets, jugglers, clowns, mimes, karaoke artists, and much more.
Papa opens the show with a family-friendly first hour. After a short intermission, he comes back with the “Stupendously Hilarious Incredible Talent Show,” where anything goes — as long as it is legal! Admission is free (we ask for a small donation if you are able), and concessions are available.
Visit Papa Capp's on Facebook
Resident Company — Stage fright is our business
Post Mortem Players
Founded in 2022 by horror fan, Charlotte native, and long-time performing arts professional Chris Stonnell, Post Mortem Players is a theatre company specializing in stage works of horror, the macabre, and things that go bump in the night — performing at Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord. Each season brings three hair-raising productions: an annual “Christmas Spirits” ghost story in December, plus a Halloween show and a late spring/summer production.
La Maison des Horreurs: An Evening at the Grand Guignol
October 22–25, 29–31, and November 1, 2026
Whisper House by Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow
December 10–13 and 17–20, 2026
Grey House by Levi Holloway
June 17–20 and 24–27, 2027
Catch a show upstairs
Black Box events are announced all season long on our shows page and in the news.