Following a flawless and well-attended launch party on Dec. 16, Firebox Theatre Company founders Cora Hemphill and Tim Artz are moving forward to create a professional theater company and performance venue in the heart of Downtown Wake Forest.
Located in the 5,000-square-foot space - most recently known as the “Event Gallery” - above The Cotton Company on White Street, owners Bob and Elizabeth Johnson offered the use of the venue to Firebox rent-free until January 2024.
As a recipient and evolving component of the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment (GJCAE), and in keeping with the Johnsons’ sustaining vision for a vibrant downtown district, the theater space aspires to become another new destination among the ever-growing number of restaurants and residences, bars and shops luring residents and visitors to come and stay Downtown.
Established in memory of and to honor the life of the Johnsons’ son Graham, the GJCAE seeks to jointly acknowledge his love of the arts and serves as the inspiration for the organization’s dedication to enriching the lives of local community members through the enjoyment of the cultural and performing arts.
"We're trying to create a unique environment where people don't want to leave. This endeavor stands to play an impactful role toward that goal" says Bob Johnson.
Origin Story
The term "Firebox" refers to the compartment of an old-fashion train’s steam engine where coal was continually fed to fuel forward motion. And like the other venues that attract people to Downtown Wake Forest - fueling its forward movement - the "coal" for the Firebox Theatre Company will be the ongoing cultivation, development, exhibition, and paid employment of local and other talented performers from across the state. With a focus toward featuring talent living in and around Wake Forest, Firebox founders believe the theatre will energize the artistic community and create something of an incubator space for performers.
Amidst the primary and monumental task of finding actors for and creating the company's three theatrical productions included in the upcoming season -- "Flight" by Arthur Giron in March, "The Dumb Waiter" by Harold Pinter in June, and "A Piece of My Heart" by Shirley Lauro in September -- Firebox founders also hope to book performances by area comedians and cooks, musicians, and even magicians looking to hone their craft and deliver quality entertainment locally throughout the year.
Because Firebox’s founders also have strong backgrounds in acting and education, plans are also in place to offer acting classes for local kids.
Defining the term very broadly, Bob Johnson says, "’Arts’ is anything that brings people together to enjoy themselves and to be entertained."
But as with every aspect of such an ambitious endeavor, it will require an enduring commitment from the area’s community of actors and musicians, technical and construction crews, audience members, and donors to make this effort successful and sustainable. Fundraising events will be held regularly along with a standing invitation to contribute to the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Endowment in support of Firebox and other worthy local arts causes. First and foremost, Firebox founders believe creating high-quality productions and showcasing the Theatre as an ideal place to offer unique artistic talent will best position the organization toward ongoing success.
Local Talent
Firebox Co-Founder Cora Hemphill grew up in Wake Forest. Admittedly shy as a child, Hemphill said her parents enrolled her in acting classes. At Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, where Ariana DeBose would later be part of the same drama program, Hemphill excelled as an actor and met her future husband, Josh.
Upon each graduating from college, the couple married and moved to Houston with two young children in tow. While Josh worked as a commercial real estate appraiser, Cora worked as an actress in theatres throughout Houston, developing a fondness for Unity Theatre, a professional operation outside the city in an area she describes as similar to Wake Forest. In addition to performing, she held positions in education development and as an outreach manager, teaching kids the art of acting and using those skills to reach out to the local community.
"I saw how theater enriched the town," Hemphill said.
Wanting to raise their two pre-teen children in their hometown, the couple moved back to Wake Forest during the pandemic. And as part of her plan to do something like this, Hemphill soon reached out to ARTS Wake Forest, which would later bring her and Tim Artz together. From there, the journey to create Firebox began.
Referring to their first two one-act productions back in September, Hemphill said, "I didn't know what to expect, but the response was really great. Critics came from Raleigh. After that, we formed a partnership with GJCAE. We're thrilled to have a long-term plan for the theatre and the opportunity to establish ourselves in this space."
Bright Lights, Big Cities
Fellow Co-founder Tim Artz is a native of Pittsburgh, where he played football and hockey in high school and served as a reservist in the Marine Corps. After graduating college - where he first stepped nervously on stage as an actor -Artz went on to earn an MFA in theater from Rutgers University.
While living in New York, New Jersey, and traveling the country, Artz put his education and talent to good use, working for more than 20 years as an actor in such shows as "Law and Order" and "Nurse Jackie," films such as "The Manchurian Candidate" and "Borough of Kings," and theatrical mainstays such as "A Streetcar Named Desire," among other productions. Some years ago, as a new father, Artz even chose to reject an offer to act in a Broadway tour of "West Side Story."
After he and his wife became parents in 2007, Artz began teaching acting and theater-related courses at the collegiate level up north. And after deciding to relocate to Wake Forest with his family in 2015, he taught at East Carolina University, Greensboro College, and Fayetteville Technical Community College. He currently teaches acting at Wake Tech.
Vision Quest
"Bob, Elizabeth, and Cora were looking for what I've been trying to bring," Artz said. "There can't be a great town without a great arts community. I hope to raise the bar and take the arts to the next level. I feel like we're really onto something big here."
Like Hemphill, Artz has been involved in acting and education and has thought about doing something like Firebox for some time. He also reached out to ARTS Wake Forest, who facilitated the connection with Hemphill.
"This is all really serendipitous," Artz said.
He and Hemphill met in March and quickly agreed to move forward. Since forming the partnership, the two have worked well together.
"Cora is just magnificent," Artz said. "She's well organized, knows Wake Forest, and knows how to go after what she wants. And you can't say no to her. She's a jewel, and I'm lucky to have found her."
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership (WFBIP), wishes the company and all involved in this endeavor well. "My hope is that Firebox Theatre Company will soon become another unique destination for folks to visit our Downtown," Cannon said. "Thanks to the Firebox founders, along with the vision and generosity of Bob and Elizabeth Johnson through the GJCAE, this effort is poised to further enhance the appeal of our downtown district and the quality of life for Wake Forest residents. Both Firebox and the GJCAE have the WFBIP’s support and sincere best wishes as it moves forward in this exciting new journey. "
Visit www.FireboxTheatre.com for more information.
