Center Stage

Rachael Moser helping to shape City Stage Co.’s FUTURE

On the fifth floor of the old Masonic Temple at 21 North Front Street, a 220-seat theater stands and is characterized by rows of dark, ligneous chairs and delicate woodwork that reminds its audiences and performers of a more-than-century-old past.

Here, RACHAEL MOSER works as co-artistic director for CITY STAGE CO., a recently revamped theater company that provides entertainment – plays, musicals, etc. – with a contemporary edge.

For Moser and her business partner, Nick Gray, their short-term and long-term goals for City Stage Co. reflect passion for modern work as well as hopes to revitalize the theater and the neighboring Level 5, a rooftop bar on the same floor. They have maintained the edgy brand embraced by artistic directors Chiaki Ito and Justin Smith, who staged a number of performances in the same venue with Cape Fear Theatre Arts, which also was previously known as City Stage but has since dropped that label.

“Even if the piece is not contemporary, we want to do it in a contemporary way,” Moser says.

Since Moser received her new title in October, City Stage Co. has produced two well-received shows: musical versions of Carrie and A Christmas Story.

In addition to releasing funny, edgy, rock-style shows, Moser and her City Stage Co. peers invested energy into refurbishing the space by painting and fixing other structural blemishes. Other improvements include changes to the company’s website (www.citystageco.com).

“We see that as important and part of our vision for City Stage Co.,” she says about the refurbishments. “We want there to be finality in a space.”

This month, Moser – also an instructional coach/teacher at Lake Forest Academy – directs City Stage Co.’s Triassic Parq, a dark comedy musical featuring dinosaur characters who struggle with faith, love, and gender identification.

More frequently a performer, Moser only directed children and teen shows before Triassic Parq, though she believes her personality as a teacher benefits her theater life.

“Even as a teacher, I try to utilize some of my performance strategies to try and engage students,” Moser says.

In March, City Stage Co. will perform its first play, A Lie of the Mind. Then in early summer, it plans to produce the inaugural New Work Fringe Festival, in which local plays and musicals will be submitted and selected by a committee.

City Stage Co. hopes to adopt a regular company and updated technical equipment. The company struggles to raise money for its list of renovations and additions such as appropriate sound equipment. Currently, it receives some donations and hold a few fundraisers.

“We want to broaden the perspectives,” Moser says, “but keep that niche company and live up to a good name.”

To view more of photographer Kristen Corley's work, go to www.kristencorley.com