Amateur theatre has been active in the Cleveland County area since 1964, when the “Community Group Theatre” launched its first production of Bus Stop, starring Freda Lynch (now Freda Gibb of Arnold’s Jewelers) and directed by Dick Palmer, another well-known citizen. The group, led by Dick and Julia Palmer, produced seven more plays until 1967.

In 1975, community theatre was revived when Charles W. Cox, a retired Gardner-Webb College professor, organized the group known as the Greater Shelby Community Theatre. Under the leadership of GSCT's first president, Gilda W. Cooper, the first production - Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” was produced in the auditorium of Shelby Junior High.

GSCT is currently the guest of Cleveland Community College and performs in association with CCC’s Student Government Association.

Over the years, GSCT has attracted and nurtured a strong talent base of actors, writers, musicians, and technicians. Several artists with GSCT have gone on to professional stage and television roles. Today, GSCT boasts several theatre artists who work semiprofessionally for television, film, and stage productions.

GSCT receives funding from NC Grassroots grant and the Cleveland County Arts Council, but its primary funding is reliant on season ticket memberships which range in price from $30 to $300. Click here to find out how you can help support GSCT!