Theatre Frisco began as the Frisco Community Theatre and owes its start to Jack Scott. In 1984 Scott approached Doug Zambiasi, the Frisco Community Education director, with the idea of doing a show. Scott said the idea of forming a community theatre was not necessarily the original intention but was “to do a major musical just to see what would happen.”
Scott and Zambiasi called a planning meeting for all those interested in doing a show and were encouraged by an attendance of 25 or 30 people. Over the course of a few more meetings, Scott was named executive manager and a board of directors was formed that included Scott, Zambiasi, Judith Reedy, Edmund Burke and Catherine Fowler. The Frisco Community Theatre was adopted as the official name and the group decided the first show performed would be Meredith Wilson’s musical, The Music Man.
After the first 3 productions the group began to realize it needed a permanent home and a relationship with the City of Frisco was formed. With the help of then Mayor, John Clanton, FCT was allowed to use the old youth center on Camellia Lane. The building was built in the late 50’s as a center for youth activities and had not been used for some time. The City spent about $30,000 to make the building habitable and FCT members donated their time and labor. For years numerous productions were presented from dramas to comedies, musicals to Shakespeare to entertain the citizens.
IN THE BEGINNING
NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN
By 2007, none of the original organizers were still involved in the theatre and the leadership was assumed by Howard Korn, who had performed in several FCT productions and had just moved to Frisco. Right at that time the theater building was closed after structural weaknesses were identified that rendered it potentially hazardous for public use. Without a theater FCT’s productions were performed in Plano, Frisco City Council chambers and the Frisco Arts office on Main Street as the search continued for a new permanent home in Frisco.
REBIRTH
Out of money and with no stage, Korn and his wife Joyce appeared in several performances of Love Letters to raise funds for future productions. Finally, in October 2010, the Frisco Discovery Center was opened by the City of Frisco containing a Black Box Theater. FCT’s opening show in the new venue was Forever Plaid which played to sellout audiences. Frisco was clearly excited to have live theater back in the community and FCT was back in business.
Since our ‘rebirth’ in 2010, Theatre Frisco has attracted amazing talent and have put on fantastic shows, such as The Fantasticks, The Sunshine Boys, Twelve Angry Jurors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Over the River and Through the Woods, A Broadway Christmas Carol, The Foreigner, Lend Me A Tenor, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Dial M for Murder, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, A Bad Year for Tomatoes, The Cemetery Club, Driving Miss Daisy, The Last Five Years, Broadway Bound, Evita, Crimes of the Heart, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, and Steel Magnolias.
At the start of 2017, took several steps to retain local identity but to reflect the professional quality of the productions. A new name was adopted, Theatre Frisco, a warehouse/rehearsal space and a seasonal Technical Director was contracted. Long time DFW Director/Designer, Neale Whitmore, was named Artistic Director. Whitmore had directed numerous productions for FCT since their move into the Black Box.
Theatre Frisco has continued to explore new ways to provide professional quality live entertainment for the citizens of Frisco and the surrounding area. Bringing in award-winning guest directors, scenic designers, and music directors, stretching the limits of the Black Box layout with full sets and large casts for Man Of La Mancha and A Little Night Music. And with Theatre Frisco’s production of A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, they have continued their growth with their first 2 contracts with AEA (Actors Equity Association).
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
LUCK BE A LADY
Ms. Allen joined the Theatre Frisco team officially in January 2024. Prior to taking the helm in Frisco, she had built a strong reputation as a director, choreographer, playwright and actor over many years in North Texas theater. Her work as a director has garnered critical and commercial success, in addition to award recognition. Among her many directing credits, she includes Ruthless! (Uptown Players), You Can’t Take it With You (Firehouse Theatre), Nunsense (Garland Civic Theatre). Another Murder, Another Show (Pegasus Theatre) and A Flea in Her Ear (MainStage ILC). Her list of onstage credits is lengthy, having started performing in local theaters while still in high school. During her college years, she made her professional debut in the Theatre Three production of Candide, stepping into the show during its run. Her long list of favorite roles includes Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, LaFleur in Nine, Roz in 9 to 5, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Amnesia in Nunsense, Joanne in Company, The Narrator in Puffs, Calliope in Xanadu, and Solange in Follies.
Ms. Allen first worked with Theatre Frisco when she directed the comedy Moon Over Buffalo, which proved to be an audience favorite. She made her onstage Frisco debut portraying Countess Charlotte Malcolm in A Little Night Music. She returned to the Frisco stage in the area premiere of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, portraying Miss Shingle. In 2023, she kicked off the Frisco season directing & choreographing Side By Side By Sondheim.
While the majority of her theater experience lies in performing and directing, Ms. Allen is no stranger to the administrative side of theater work. She spent many years working with several theaters designing and producing show programs, as well as providing PR and website assistance. She has also been involved in Box Office operations and Grant/Fundraising presentations for local theaters.
Welcome to 2024 and our new Executive Director, Andi Allen.
