Our History
Founded in the spring of 2011, Compass Rose Theater is a small non-profit professional theater, that offers productions of the highest caliber. Driven by our passion to produce plays which leave the audience moved, and even transformed by the experience of the show, we hire actors and theater artists who are accomplished professionals, producing plays that range from classic to contemporary, comedy to drama. Discovering the truth of each script and striving to achieve excellence in each production, we hold ourselves to the highest artistic standards.
In the fall of 2022 ,we were invited to relocate to a new intimate space within the walls of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, the center for visual and performing arts in Annapolis. We have several upcoming events, plays, summer camps, and classes planned.
We offer classes and workshops to students of all ages and keep our teaching mission at the core of all our work. Students work alongside the professionals and are fully compensated as with the other actors. This practice creates a strong bond among the cast, where the students are mentored and the professionals are inspired by the passion which the students bring to the process. We also offer Young Actor’s Studio to talented students aged 12-17 who are selected by audition to participate in master classes and student productions throughout the year.
All of the Compass Rose Theater faculty are teaching artists with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in theater from an accredited institution. Some have Master's Degrees in theater as well. All of our faculty have teaching experience with a range of student populations and a depth of knowledge of how to challenge and stimulate the creative process within students individually and as an acting ensemble.
Our approach to theater education is process-based, meaning that any performance results from hard work and in-depth study of technique. We do not seek to present a polished product until the basics of theater knowledge have been learned. The result of this building work is that when the performances happen, they are the consequences of the rich and rewarding work of becoming an actor. And they are excellent, surprising audiences at the quality which student actors can achieve.
We hope you will visit our theater soon as a patron, student, volunteer, actor, or part of our dedicated creative team.