By Jamie Strickland
A group of theater enthusiasts in Clayton has come together to form a unique, membership-based acting troupe—The Unsanctioned Rehearsals Society. Their mission? To bring engaging, intimate performances to the community by partnering with local businesses as performance venues.
Their debut production, A Vintage Romance: Scenes & Sips of Love, took place at Main Street Wine & Beer, offering attendees a creative fusion of theater and wine tasting. The show featured a series of short romantic skits, each accompanied by a curated wine pairing. For instance, a scene depicting a lovers’ quarrel was matched with a wine described as having bitter notes, adding a sensory layer to the storytelling.
Guests enjoyed wines from Italy, France, and Spain while Cupid, serving as the evening’s whimsical host, guided them through the experience.
The concept was the brainchild of Nicki Medford, who relocated to Clayton from Raleigh two years ago. Noticing a lack of a local community theater group, she decided to create one herself. While she has no formal training in theater, she does have a background in “making things happen.”
“There are other great theater groups in other parts of Johnston County, and in Raleigh, but nothing right here in Clayton. I wanted to find a way to pool the talent of Clayton to come together and produce these shows,” Medford said.
And she wasn’t alone. She quickly found like-minded individuals, including Kelly Phillips, who both acted in and helped produce A Vintage Romance. For Phillips and others in the group, the society is about more than just theater—it’s also about forging lasting friendships.
“It can be really hard to make friends as an adult,” Phillips said. “When you’re part of a big theater production, you form really intense bonds with people only for it to sort of fizzle out once it’s over. I wanted to find a bond for us that would last more than one performance.”
The group currently has seven members, including performers Sarah Chera, Erik Youman, Vin Monetello, and Andrea Maloney who each played multiple roles in this play. They are actively seeking new members to join their creative venture. They hope to include amateur actors, writers, musicians and people with all different talents.
Rather than focusing on large-scale productions that require significant resources, The Unsanctioned Rehearsals Society aims to keep things lighthearted and community-driven. Their goal is to host small, immersive performances in local venues, creating mutually beneficial partnerships like the one with Main Street Wine & Beer.
Beyond performances, the group plans to host social gatherings, writing workshops and rehearsals, fostering a lasting creative community. Their next production is set for October 2025, and they are eager to connect with both aspiring members and local businesses interested in collaborating.
For those looking to join the troupe or support their work, visit unsanctionedrehearsals.org. Stay updated on upcoming performances by following them on Facebook.
