Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Carpenter Cox.
Hi Catherine Carpenter, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up with a singular dream: to bring stories to life on stage. Born and raised in Boston, I began performing professionally at just 10 years old, captivating audiences at the Boston Children’s Theater and Wheelock Family Theatre. This passion eventually led me to New York City, where I earned my BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
As an accomplished actress, I have embraced numerous leading roles across North America, including Off-Broadway and On-Broadway performances in New York City. For the past 21 years, I have proudly called Dallas my home. Throughout my career, I have lent my voice to many concept demos for new musicals, participated in staged readings, and engaged in backer auditions. My unwavering dedication to the arts is evident in my meaningful contributions to New York City Fringe Festival productions, which have evolved into complete regional and Broadway offerings. Additionally, I captivated audiences alongside leading orchestras at prestigious venues such as The Palace Theater in New York City, the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, and Bass Hall in Fort Worth. As a member of the Actors’ Equity Association since 2000, I always want to embody the spirit of collaboration and excellence. Driven by my passion for the arts and commitment to supporting non-profit organizations, I became a key figure at Lyric Stage, a celebrated professional theater in Dallas, where I now serve as Producer.
The Dallas arts community has flourished for decades, but in 1993, a vision emerged when Steven Jones founded Lyric Stage, Inc., a beacon dedicated to developing and preserving musical works. Since then, Lyric Stage has become a cornerstone of the Dallas arts landscape, enriching it with high-quality productions and unwavering support for local talent. This achievement should make every member of the community proud and connected.
Over its remarkable 32-year journey, Lyric Stage has received local and national acclaim, producing 135 exceptional shows, including two Off-Broadway productions. This innovative company has created thousands of jobs in Dallas County, employing talented local artists, technicians, and fabricators while introducing 21 world premiere musicals. In collaboration with the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, the Jule Styne Estate, and the Jerome Moross family, Lyric Stage has lovingly restored and produced full orchestral versions of timeless classics such as “Carousel,” “The King & I,” “Show Boat,” “Gypsy,” and “The Golden Apple,” the latter being the first full-length recording by PS Classics. By honoring local high school musical theater excellence through the Schmidt & Jones Awards, established in 2010, Lyric Stage empowers the next generation of talent in the Dallas arts community.
In 2017, after 24 successful seasons at the Irving Arts Center, Lyric Stage proudly relocated to the historic Majestic Theatre at 1925 Elm Street in downtown Dallas. This move celebrates the company’s growth and transformative impact on the Dallas arts scene. The magnificent 100-year-old Baroque-style vaudeville theater is ideal for large-scale musicals, featuring local artists, actors, and a vibrant, always live Lyric Stage Orchestra.
Joining Lyric Stage as a Producer in 2019, I am devoted to preserving and expanding the company’s legacy of producing high-quality, locally crafted professional musical theater. I am determined to adapt to the ever-evolving arts landscape, ensuring that future audiences can continue to experience the magic of musical theater. Our work bridges Broadway excellence with community-driven artistry, proving that Dallas can—and should—be a national stage for musical theater.
In 2022, Lyric Stage Studios opened its doors in the Dallas Design District, offering an intimate black box and rehearsal space for year-round performances. This venue reflects the company’s commitment to delivering diverse artistic experiences to the Dallas arts community. By 2024, Lyric Stage expanded beyond its historic Majestic Theater home and partnered with The Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District for some of its larger productions. This strategic collaboration increases the company’s reach and reinforces its dedication to high-quality performance.
As Lyric Stage enters its next era, we are on a mission to raise awareness, rally support, and secure resources to ensure live theater continues to thrive in Dallas. With a producer’s eye and a performer’s heart, I invite audiences, donors, and dreamers alike to join me in keeping the curtain raised for generations to come, emphasizing that their involvement is not just desired but essential for the thriving of live theater in Dallas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Covid hit so many theater companies world wide but it was definitely felt here in Dallas. As a person who loves collaboration, I know many theaters that were significantly hit by way of subscriber loss, audience lull, donation, loss, and sadly, funding from grants and other wonderful contributing forces that fund the arts. At Lyric Stage, we are still feeling the wrath of Covid but we are determined to get back on our feet!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think my bio may have said this all, and perhaps too much! Ha ha!
That being said what I would like to add is that Lyric Stage produces our shows with all local talent, all local musicians, and all local creatives! That has been something that has set apart us apart from other theater companies in our city. We also are fully committed to always having a live orchestra, no tracks, no recordings!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Steven Jones, our founding producer, has helped me along the way to try and navigate my role as a producer. His wisdom has gotten us through many rough spots!
My family & friends have been my cheerleaders coming to every show that I am personally in…. and many shows that I solely produce.
Our actors, our musicians, our creatives, our technical staff, and our “Lyric team” (Scott & Tricia Guenther), many of our devoted patrons like Julie Halley, and our board members have pushed us/ pushed me to be the best that we/I can so that we/I can produce wonderful musical theater shows for our audiences to enjoy.
Pricing:
- Tks are $40-$60
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lyricstage.org
- Instagram: @lyricstagedallas
Image Credits
Photos taken by Kris Ikejiri or Lyric stage staff
