Stone Soup THEATRE COMPANY Q&A With Melissa Dombrowski

We were excited to interview the Artistic Director, Melissa Dombrowski of Stone Soup Theatre Company. We got to know more about this successful community theatre company in Durham and Orange Counties.​  Continue reading to find out more about this company and their most recent production Man Of La Mancha, at The Historic Forest Theatre on UNC Campus in Chapel Hill. ConCo

Tell us a bit about yourself! Your position at Stone Soup Theatre Company and what is your favorite part of the job.

A: I’m a theatre director and arts educator based in the Durham/Chapel Hill area, and I’ve been involved in theatre for more than 35 years. I’m proud to be part of this remarkably creative and generous arts community. By day, I serve as Director of Operations for the Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts, and in the evenings and weekends I wear my Artistic Director hat for both the Durham Savoyards and Stone Soup Theatre Company.

At Stone Soup, I oversee season selection, produce and direct two of our four annual productions, and help manage the company’s day-to-day operations alongside our dedicated Board. My favorite part of the job is, without question, directing. It’s an endlessly challenging and rewarding art form every show is a new puzzle that brings people together to create something larger than any one of us.

Q: How do you describe Stone Soup Theatre Company to someone just finding out about it? Are you a community theatre company or a professional company? What is the mission of the company? 

A: Stone Soup Theatre Company is a non-profit, community-serving theatre devoted to producing high-quality performances that remain accessible to everyone. We exist to support local artists by giving them a space to share their work, and to serve our wider community by keeping ticket prices affordable including “pay what you can” performances.

Someone once told me, “I’ve never seen a theatre company do so much with so little.” It made me laugh, but it’s true. We may not have deep pockets, but we are absolutely rich in people, talent, and heart. Over the past five years, we’ve built a community that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and kindness. Making theatre together truly feels like the best kind of potluck—everyone brings what they can, and together, it becomes something wonderful.

Q: What are your upcoming shows? Where do the productions take place? Where can the community learn about these shows? (i.e. social media, website, newsletter…)

A:  We’re closing out our fall production of Man of La Mancha at the historic Forest Theatre in Chapel Hill a stunning outdoor amphitheater surrounded by trees and stone terraces. There’s one more weekend left to catch it on October 17, 18, and 19, and audiences are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars.

In December, we’ll present Every Brilliant Thing at Mettlesome Theater in Durham—a beautiful, intimate one-person play about finding joy and connection while living with depression. It’s partially improvised, includes audience participation, and is unlike anything we’ve produced before.  In early 2026, we’ll round out the season with Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

To keep up with our latest news, auditions, and performances, you can subscribe to our newsletter at [email protected], follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/StoneSoupTheatreCo, or visit our website at StoneSoupTheatreCo.com.
Q: How can the community and local business support and get involved with Stone Soup Theatre Company?

A: There are so many ways to get involved! Community members often start by auditioning for a show, volunteering backstage, or helping in the front of house. Experience isn’t required if you don’t know how to do a job, we’re happy to teach you.

We’re also deeply grateful for financial support from individuals and local businesses. Ticket sales alone don’t cover the full cost of production, and donations are what allow us to keep ticket prices low and continue offering “pay what you can” performances. We’re always looking to partner with local businesses and organizations that share our values of accessibility, creativity, and community. Anyone interested can reach out at [email protected] we’d love to start a conversation.

Q: Who are the founding directors of the company? How did they come up with the idea to do a theatre group? What are the company's growth goals?

A:  Stone Soup Theatre Company was co-founded by Dr. Joanna Sisk-Purvis, our Music Director, and me. We met through the Durham Savoyards during the height of COVID and collaborated on an online production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience. It was one of the hardest and most unexpectedly joyful projects either of us had ever taken on. When it ended, we realized we wanted to keep working together and to create a space where other local artists could do the same.

We began by self-producing our own work, and by 2023 we were inviting other directors to join the company. We now produce a four-show season and are proud to offer opportunities for dozens of Triangle-area artists each year. Our next major goal is to find a permanent performance home a space that can serve as both a creative hub and a gathering place for our community. It’s a big step, but we believe it’s within reach with continued community support.

Q: How do you find talent for the shows? The talent has been such high quality performances for all the shows I’ve attended!
A: Thank you! That’s one of the best compliments we can receive. For designers and production staff, we often collaborate with artists we’ve worked with before, or we bring in new people who’ve trained with us in other capacities. For actors, all of our auditions are open to the public we welcome performers of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Audition notices are posted on our website, Facebook page, and in the “Triangle Auditions” group online. We’ve been fortunate to build a reputation as a safe, supportive, and welcoming place to work, and I think that’s what keeps talented people coming back.

Q: What are the criteria you have for the shows produced?  Is there a theme, a certain type of show, a message to the community that aligns with the company's mission?

A: Every season, we balance three things: artistic vision, practical logistics, and community impact. First, we have to make sure we can afford the production. Stone Soup doesn’t charge participation fees and operates without institutional funding, so each project must fit within our means. We also prioritize using live musicians for musical theatre, which adds to both the cost and the magic.

Beyond logistics, we look for stories that speak to us shows with heart, hope, and relevance. Our 2025–26 season, for instance, explores the theme of hope, reminding us how art and imagination can illuminate even the darkest times. If a story has something meaningful to say and invites our community to see themselves reflected onstage, it’s a strong contender for Stone Soup.

Did you know? Carl was honored to be cast in the 2023 Cabaret with Stone Soup Theatre Company!  CLICK HERE to check it out!