Temple Theatre In Sanford Prepares For Historic 100th Anniversary

The city of Sanford is taking a turn for the dramatic in all the best ways. The historic Temple Theatre Company in Sanford - firmly nestled in the town's ever-growing downtown area - is preparing for its Centennial Mainstage season, which will celebrate the best, most impactful productions of the venue's storied 100-year history.

The Temple has long served as a cornerstone of the artistic community in Sanford and is intimately woven into the city's DNA. As a Sanford native, I myself have fond, countless memories of witnessing some of the most lively and extravagant performances from those very seats. As its 100th anniversary draws near, I jumped at the chance to speak with a Temple icon about the legacy of Sanford's grandest stage, as well as the upcoming Mainstage season.

Peggy Taphorn, who is entering her 18th year as the Temple's Producing Artistic Director, is ecstatic to put on a centennial celebration for the ages. "We are all very excited," said Peggy, "the theatre was built in 1925, and to be a part of that history and to honor its 100th birthday, I think is really special."

The past century has seen Temple Theatre's reputation evolve throughout much of the state. What may have once been considered a "hidden gem" of a quaint and quiet North Carolina town, is now a cultural powerhouse leading the charge for creative self-expression in the Carolinas.

"As we celebrate the centennial, this will be the end of the ‘hidden gem’ era," Peggy assured, "people are coming in from over 63 different counties [to see these shows]. They’re finding out that Sanford isn’t out in the middle of nowhere."

For nearly the past two decades, Peggy and her team have worked tirelessly to make every Temple show flourish into must-see entertainment. Despite being a modestly-sized 330-seat venue, the production value at the Temple is breathtaking to behold, with grandiose set pieces and backdrops accentuated by expertly arranged lighting systems.

This is all by design for the Temple Theatre in Sanford, as Peggy notes in our interview. "The advantage [of a smaller venue] is both for the actors and the audience. Everything does feel very intimate. We really do try to put Broadway production values into what we do, but the audience gets to see that close up."

While the technical components of the Temple are remarkable in their own right, the true backbone of every Mainstage season, as Peggy adamantly states, is the depth of talent from within the community. "The talent pool here is immense. We do try to give local artists here a chance."

The team at the Temple Theatre in Sanford makes a point to practice what's known as non-traditional casting, with the payoff being more people from vastly different walks of life showcasing their talent. "I think the youngest person we’ve ever had in a show was six, and our oldest actor has been in their 80s," said Peggy, "I think that’s important. Not only diversity but also just showing the whole range of life on the stage."

In fact, what has arguably endeared the Temple Theatre in Sanford to its community the most over the past 100 years has been its dedication to educating younger generations of aspiring performers. The theatre's Temple Academy program has long provided a safe, controlled space for students to act, sing, dance, and explore the full scope of their creativity. This is similar to the theatre workshops that Lee County High School has held over the past few years.

The Temple's Summer Conservatory is another valuable pathway to stage work for many of Sanford's aspiring young thespians. Children from ages 4-18 are invited to perform in various shows throughout the summer season, promoting a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for those wishing to pursue a passion for the performing arts.

Then there's Temple Teens, which is the brainchild of Peggy herself. For 17 years, Temple Teens has been the proving ground for some of Sanford's most gifted young performers, with an emphasis placed on singing and dancing. This program in particular is near and dear to Peggy's heart, as she could recall from personal experience how essential programs like that were for her growing up in the industry. "I started my life taking dance classes at four years old. I knew how important that was as a kid. That gave me something that was just mine, and I wanted to give that to these kids."

"The Temple Teens have come a long way. When I first got here they did one summer camp, and that was it. I thought, 'where are all the misfit toys? Where are all the kids that need a place?' That was really important for me to start." One of the events throughout the Temple's centennial season includes a Temple Teens reunion show, the mere mention of which immediately summoned a wellspring of emotions for the artistic director. "When you start with kids here at 4 years old, and then you see them again as adults, that’s a very important thing," Peggy said, valiantly fighting back tears, "maybe not as much for them, but it's definitely important for me."

But Peggy is not the only member of the Temple staff who understands the importance of these youth-based programs. Temple Theatre Marketing Director Seth Hoyle also shared with me a personal testimony of how his time in the youth programs helped his professional and personal life in equal measure.

"I think the conservatory and the youth program as a whole, it teaches you skills beyond the arts," Seth said. "It enhances your ability to be creative, and to have the confidence to speak in front of people. It also teaches you how to collaborate with a lot of different types of people. I can't tell you how many times I’ve had to use all of those skills while in college and other jobs I’ve had."

From its humble beginnings in 1925, the Temple Theatre in Sanford has rightfully become a treasured hallmark of North Carolina's thriving performing arts scene. As auditions approach for its boldest and most ambitious season yet, the sheer impact and legacy of the Temple Theatre can not be understated.

"Who knows what the next big thing is going to be that changes all of our lives? I do know it’s going to be from a creative thinker," posits Peggy as we neared the end of the interview, "and right here at the Temple is where we really encourage that."

For more information about the Temple Theatre in Sanford, please visit their website.

North Carolina is known as the birthplace of of many talented and notable figures, ranging from famous actors, singers, athletes, and more. The Tar Heel state is practically a breeding ground for success. But did you know that North Carolina is also home to some of the funniest, most hysterical stand-up comics in the game right now? Let's take a look at some of my personal favorites!

Stand-up comedy seems to have skyrocketed in popularity recently. Now more than ever young up-and-coming comics are able to utilize social media to spotlight their material in a way that they never would have been able to before.

Even more seasoned comics like Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Pete Holmes and others have become household names over the years due to the increase in stand-up fandom. Hell, the most popular video so far in 2024 is longtime comedian Katt Williams popping off on his colleagues. All this and more makes it clear that stand-up is re-entering a boom period of sorts.

I've been a fan of stand-up comedy for as long as I can remember. When most kids were watching shows on Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, 12-year-old KC was glued to the half hour Comedy Central stand-up specials. I even dabbled in performing stand-up myself in my early 20s, which quickly and harshly tempered my perception of how funny I really was. Thankfully no footage exists of my aspiring stand-up career, which I promise is for the best.

Aside from my botched open mic appearances, North Carolina does actually get to claim some of comedy's most successful and talented performers still in the circuit. Some NC-based comics have even managed to use their comedic chops as a launching pad to break through into other business ventures.

In no particular order, here are my picks for the funniest North Carolina-based comedians.

(Note: most of the clips used in this list contain NSFW language. You've been warned.)

Fortune Feimster's whole vibe is unlike anyone else in the stand-up scene right now. Fortune is a Belmont native and a graduate of Peace College, so she has deep roots in North Cackalacky. Though she made it big in California, Fortune doesn't seem to have lost touch with her southern roots, as noted in her distinct accent and uniquely country-fried material.

Fortune's energy is wholly infectious and I encourage you to check her out when she comes through her home state.

J.B. Smoove has such an impressive resume, especially considering his humble beginnings in the small North Carolina town of Plymouth.

Over the decades J.B. Smoove has proven to be a versatile comedy commodity. In addition to his stand-up, Smoove is also an accomplished comedy writer and actor. He's most known for his iconic role in the acclaimed comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which he plays the fan-favorite Leon Black.

I'll admit I'm stretching the criteria of this list here. Ken Jeong is technically from Detroit, having moved to the Tar Heel state at a young age. But after earning medical degrees at both Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill, all while simultaneously starting his improv and stand-up career, I'd say he's more than earned his Carolina card.

Ken Jeong started gaining notoriety in the mid-to-late 2000s with brief appearances in various TV shows and movies. His brand skyrocketed, however, when he took on the role of the flamboyant and dangerous Mr. Chow in The Hangover trilogy.

Nowadays Ken is enjoying a hosting stint on the popular singing competition series The Masked Singer.

Interestingly enough, Ken isn't the only NC comics who had their breakout role in The Hangover. Longtime funnyman Zach Galfianakis hails from Wilkes County and is an alum of North Carolina State University (his "one man wolfpack" monologue suddenly makes a lot of sense now).

When performing on stage, Zach is known for incorporating music into his stand-up. This helped set him apart when he was coming up in the scene. Another outlet for Zach's unique brand of comedy also came from his immensely popular webseries, Between Two Ferns.

Don't let his disheveled presentation and flighty demeanor fool you - Zach Galifianakis is a comedy workhorse who has expertly honed his craft, to the point where his name is now as well-known as it is hard to spell. And as a way of giving back to the state that made him, Zach has been known to donate much of his money and time to many NC-based food banks.

His name may not be as instantly recognizable as that of his contemporaries on this list, but make no mistake: Jerrod Carmichael is every bit as hilarious and talented.

Jerrod grew up in Winston-Salem, and incorporates much of his early childhood experiences into his stand-up. While his account of growing up poor in North Carolina isn't always flattering towards his home state, it provides an honest and unflinching perspective that he's able to seamlessly navigate toward uproarious laughter from the crowd.

Jerrod's relaxed, easygoing stage presence makes him an easily accessible personality to even the most casual of stand-up enthusiasts. After years of cutting his teeth on the road, Jerrod was finally able to bring his stylistic wit to a bigger audience when he hosted Saturday Night Live in the spring of 2022. His episode was one of the most critically well-received of that entire season, with his performance being lauded as one of the best first-time hosting gigs in recent memory.

Jerrod has certainly done North Carolina proud, and I believe his star has only just begun to shine. I look forward to seeing him star in The Hangover X in 2037.