First off, welcome to our brand-new blog on Old Courthouse Theatre's redesigned website. We hope you find everything you're looking for; however, since our goal is to make this website the best go-to resource for everything OCT, if there is something you think is missing or if you notice anything wrong, please reach out to us through the "Contact" tab at the top of the page.

There are a lot of great things happening in and around the theatre that would be worthy of the first post: the upcoming production of Cabaret (the fifth and final mainstage show of our 49th season); the 10-minute play festival; Post Mortem Player's The Crucible, coming to life on or mainstage; the season-ending Gala; the next production of the Living Room Reading Series in the Black Box Theatre; the many different summer camp offerings that are sure to be a hit; all the different renovation projects in process and upcoming at the Old Courthouse Theatre; all the growing excitement surrounding OCT: NextGen (Old Courthouse Theatre's youth theatre group); and, of course, our upcoming 50th Season.

Although we have so many awesome things happening at the theatre, this first blog is dedicated to this: our newly designed website. But don't worry, there will be blog posts in the future on everything listed above and much, much more. Trust me!

When the previous website design was unveiled about eight years ago, it was aesthetically appealing, but it didn't allow us to do everything we wanted. Therefore, updating and redesigning the website to be more user-friendly and beautiful while offering more elements for our patrons was on our wish list for several years. Fortunately, through a grant and many volunteer hours, the OCT was able to design a new website, one that is packed with all the bells and whistles we've always wanted.

"We want our website to reflect the excellent work being done at OCT, to tell our story, and improve the user experience," stated John Harris, the President of OCT's Board of Director.

All of this is achieved with the new website. Before embarking on this long journey, the theatre conducted a detailed review of its current website, ticketing software, CRM database, and volunteer management software. After looking at several options, NeonOne was tabbed to move us into this new era. NeonOne will continue to provide its ArtsPeople software and it will implement their CRM for donor management. Additionally, they are assisting us in redesigning the website and will host it.

The website will be a vital tool in showcasing and further strengthening OCT's brand, not just here in Concord but throughout Cabarrus County and the surrounding areas. Of course, it will highlight our main stage shows, but it will also serve as an additional vehicle to promote everything else that is happening at the theater, both on the main stage and in the Black Box. There is a special section for everything that is going on with our newly rebranded youth theatre program: OCT: NextGen.

But we're not stopping there. We have future plans to make the website even better than it already is. In the near future, we will be unveiling an online merchandise store where you can purchase all kinds of OCT-branded products. For those of you who spend many of your waking hours at the OCT, whether it's ushering, working in concessions, helping during work calls, we will be integrating our Volunteer Management Software with the website. Of course, more on both those to come in the future.

As you can see, there is a lot going on at the theatre and on our website. I invite you to explore the website and enjoy all it has to offer. If you have any questions, comments, or issues, please feel free to contact us.

We do truly hope you'll find this website to be a great resource in helping you learn all about the Old Courthouse Theatre and everything we have going on at 49 Spring Street NW.

See you at the theatre!

John Farrell