History
THEATRE COPPELL
Theatre Coppell has entertained and inspired local residents with comedies, dramas and musicals for more than 30 years. Shows were presented at schools and other locations in the area until 1999, when the City of Coppell converted an unused fire station to the Coppell Center for the Arts.
The theatre was established in the mid-1980s as Coppell Community Theatre by a core group of volunteers, most of which are still active in the theatre. The first two shows, presented in 1988, were “Mostly Music,” a variety show fundraiser, and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
The early years included numerous variety shows and fund-raisers. Haunted houses, presented annually, included “Haunted Ghost Town,” “Haunted Hospital,” “Haunted Hayride” and “Haunted Hollywood.”
From the beginning, the theatre has been guided by Wheelice Wilson Jr., who taught theatre at Coppell High School for 36 years. As artistic director of Coppell Community Theatre, he selects shows, marshals volunteers and directs most of the productions.
The theatre shortened its name to Theatre Coppell in May 2005. Supported by the City of Coppell and many local residents, the all-volunteer theatre is a vital part of the community. Six shows are presented each season, including several family-friendly options, a musical and at least one production featuring young cast members. Not surprisingly, plays featuring children often sell out.
TC is governed by its members who are the “nucleus volunteers” who choose to be active throughout the season. Local businesses are invited to support the theatre by sponsoring productions or making donations.
All shows are performed in the “black box theatre” of the Center for the Arts. The theatre is an intimate, 124-seat theatre with seating on three sides of the stage.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
SEASON 30 (2016 - 2017)
Deuce
Daddy's Dyin', Who's Got the Will?
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol
Reel Men: The Fitzhugh Brothers (two-night show free to season ticket holders)
Picnic
On Golden Pond
Curtains
SEASON 29 (2015 - 2016)
Miracle On South Division Street
Rabbit Hole
Fruitcakes
Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Driving Miss Daisy
Bonnie and Clyde
SEASON 28 (2014 - 2015)
Dr. Cook's Garden
Catch Me If You Can
A Christmas Carol
Rumors
Over the River and Through the Woods
Little Women
SEASON 27 (2013 - 2014)
Hallelujah Girls
Blithe Spirit
Blitzen!
Inherit The Wind
The Nerd
Annie
SEASON 26 (2012 - 2013)
The Good Doctor
Bus Stop
Christmas Belles
Our Town
The Foreigner
Thoroughly Modern Millie
SEASON 25 (2011 - 2012)
Murder at the Howard Johnson’s
Wait Until Dark
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Lost in Yonkers
Love Letters (fundraiser)
The 39 Steps
The Will Rogers Follies
SEASON 24 (2010 - 2011)
Same Time, Next Year
They’re Playing Our Song
A Little House Christmas
It Could Be Any One of Us
Proof
Love Letters (fundraiser)
Jekyll & Hyde, the Musical
SEASON 23 (2009 - 2010)
Almost, Maine
Steel Magnolias
A Christmas Story
Doubt
Moon Over Buffalo
Dearly, Beloved
Pippin
SEASON 22 (2008 - 2009)
Misery
Barefoot in the Park
The Homecoming
Shadowlands
Sylvia
Oliver!
SEASON 21 (2007 - 2008)
Luv
Deathtrap
Charlotte’s Web
The Shadow Box
Funny Money
Cabaret
SEASON 20 (2006 - 2007)
Rounding Third
Run for Your Wife
Fruitcakes
Assassins
The Jungle Book
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
SEASON 19 (2005 - 2006)
Harvey
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Mousetrap
The Ransom of Red Chief
Gypsy
SEASON 18 (2004 - 2005)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
A Christmas Story
To Kill a Mockingbird
Don’t Dress for Dinner
Into the Woods
SEASON 17 (2003 - 2004)
Over the River and Through the Woods
The Doggonest Christmas
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Annie Get Your Gun
SEASON 16 (2002 - 2003)
Thurber Carnival
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The Miracle Worker
Alice in Wonderland
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
SEASON 15 (2001 - 2002)
Arsenic and Old Lace
A Christmas Carol
The Fantasticks
The Prince and the Pauper
Peter Pan
SEASON 14 (2000 - 2001)
The Magic of Arthur (magic show, fundraiser)
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
On Golden Pond
Babe the Sheep Pig
Guys and Dolls
SEASON 13 (1999 - 2000)
Twelve Angry Men
The Doggonest Christmas
Cotton Patch Gospel
Godspell
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
My Fair Lady
SEASON 12 (1998 - 1999)
Dedicated to the End (dinner theatre, fundraiser)
The Odd Couple
Charlotte’s Web
Fiddler on the Roof
SEASON 11 (1997 - 1998)
Snot Stew
A Fatal Combination (dinner theatre, fundraiser)
The Magical World of Arthur (magic show, fundraiser)
Quilters
SEASON 10 (1996 - 1997)
Harvey (reader’s theatre)
Murder at Rutherford House (dinner theatre, fundraiser)
Our Town
House at Pooh Corner
The Sound of Music
SEASON 9 (1995 - 1996)
The Diary of Anne Frank (reader’s theatre)
Alice in Horrorland (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
Gift of the Magi
Lost in Yonkers
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Oliver!
SEASON 8 (1994 - 1995)
Haunted Grocery Store (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
The Littlest Angel
Rumors
The Velveteen Rabbit
Hello, Dolly!
SEASON 7 (1993 - 1994)
On Golden Pond (reader's theatre)
Haunted High School (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
Crimes of the Heart
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
1776
SEASON 6 (1992 - 1993)
Haunted Hollywood (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
A Christmas Carol
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
You Can’t Take It With You (reader’s theatre)
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Big River
SEASON 5 (1991 - 1992)
Haunted Hayride (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
A Christmas Carol
Steel Magnolias
Love Letters (fundraiser)
Charlotte’s Web
The Music Man
SEASON 4 (1990 - 1991)
Haunted Hospital (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
The Fantasticks
God’s Favorite (reader’s theatre)
An Evening of One-Acts: The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Afternoon at the Seaside, September Song
Annie
SEASON 3 (1989 - 1990)
Haunted Ghost Town (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
How to Eat Like a Child
Brighton Beach Memoirs
Mostly Music III (variety show, fundraiser)
Three one-act plays: Plaza Suite Act 3, This Property is Condemned, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You
Shenandoah
SEASON 2 (1988 - 1989)
The House That Jack Ripped (Halloween-themed fundraiser)
Ten Little Indians
Mostly Music II (variety show, fundraiser)
Little Shop of Horrors (produced in conjunction with Poco Mas – Greater Lewisville Community Theatre)
SEASON 1 (1988)
Mostly Music (variety show, fundraiser)
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum