Great scrip and great local actors makes for fun experience at playhouse. The production company…read morebrought back Four Weddings and Elvis after much demand from 7 years ago. Small theatre (80+ seating I guess) so you sit up close and personal to the actors. Minimum scenery and props so depend on acting and your imagination to enjoy the show. Plenty of parking to rear of theatre (west side). Check out the 2023 season as we are sure to go back for another helping.

I watched a play called Black Comedy tonight at Cox Playhouse in Plano presented by Rover…read moreDramawerks. It was pretty unique experience. I used to love checking out the plays back in college. Mainly because they were free with my student ID but also because it's live. No editing, no takes, no do-overs.. everything is live. This particular play took it one step further. The seating arrangement was basically within breathing room of the actors and actresses all around the "stage". It's really just one room and everyone's on stage. Hard to explain. Check out the play if you can. I think it's playing entire month. So what makes this venue or experience 4 stars for me is this. After the play, they served refreshments (including wine) and the cast comes out to mingle and chat with the patrons. I didn't stay too long afterwards but I got to talk to one of the actors and he's just a regular Joe working on this in his precious spare time. Of all the plays I've been to, I've never experienced this before. Good venue. I will gladly continue supporting this theater. Quick note about the play itself. Very interesting. I'm not going to give much away as you can probably read synopsis of the play online anyway. But it might not be for all ages. I would say don't bring your kids which I noticed some patrons brought children. The actresses are a bit scantily clad but it's entirely appropriate to the theme of the play though. Update: Originally I gave it 5 stars. Since the review is for the theater room itself and not the play, I felt that I couldn't do the review justice if I didn't mention this part as it pertains to the theater itself. So I have bumped it down to 4 stars but obviously I still had a good experience despite my seating location. The seating matters. It's true that the stage is pretty much the room but there is a raised area of the stage that the actors and actresses will also use during the performance. If you sit too close to this area, then your view is blocked and cannot see what's going on up there. It's general admission so good thing is you can go early and grab a good seat but just be aware of the limitation I mentioned.

I've always liked this theatre for its flexible architecture and modern feel. The theatre group…read morehas been good although it has changed over the decades. Its one of the few theaters that I will dress up for and has an open lobby area with a cash bar that is a fun and somewhat upscale space for conversation before the show which works nicely for your group to gather, converse, and socialize before the show. Addison restaurants are nearby but busy on weekends so do plan an early dinner between 5 and 6 as those restaurants are typically very busy on weekends. A plus is the "Stone Cottage" theatre in the rear which hosts a different theatre company and is which is rustic with often ribald works. There is also a large snd configurable separate meeting space which can be had for special functions or seminars. If you are into Architecture and you ever get the chance for a complete tour of the Water Tower theatre seize the opportunity because it is a very cool building with 2 levels below grade for costume and storage with three above that are absolutely amazing in how they are completely flexible for multi tier stage configurations and configurable seating tiers from several directions.

Nice facility, got a great deal on tix 2 weeks before the show, Off-Broadway production was solid.read more

Parking can be out front or if full go behind (west) to large parking lot. We have sat on ground…read morefloor area many times but performance of 'Grease' much better in balcony. Place is small so hearing seeing performance much better. No one blocking view. Elevator available if stairs not first choice.

Limited parking but plenty near the park area within walking distance. The venue overall is a nice…read moresetup. Seating can be limited depending on the overall attendance per event but there is seating along the side and upper levels. The stage on this event was smaller than what our dance performers are used to and a few cords were on the stage for equipment but our dancers handled their space to work with well. DJ for this event was great!

Loads of fun, both the plays and coming out for it on opening night. They do the cast party on…read moreopening Friday with food and refreshments and of course conversation with the cast and production crew. If you like community theatre this one has different everything for each play and hasn't disappointing yet. A real bargain for season tickets and you get to see them all.

Great little theater especially for comedies. Just saw Four Weddings and an Elvis, which was…read morehysterically funny. Always a good time.

Came here on Valentines day to see the play "Slave Letters: The Lives of Slaves in Their Own Words"…read more If you haven't checked out this performance, you ought to check it out! The performance by the cast is worthy of a Tony award! This review is more about the Stone Cottage Theater which is part of the Addison Conference and Theater Center. It is a small building that is one of Addison's historic structures that has been renovated and I believe can hold up-to 55 people. The check-in lady was really friendly and offered us free chocolate and roses for valentines. You can also buy snacks and drinks at the check-in desk before the show or during intermission. The Good: ------------- Very intimate setting, small crowd, lighting effects are great for a small theater production. There is a parking lot close by if you get early. You can also park by the street nearby if the main parking lot is full. Can do Better: ------------------- The plastic cushion-less seats are a back breaker for those long theatrical performances. My butt and back were hurting after being seated for almost 2 hours watching the above reference play. They may need to get cushioned seats! Also, the signage pointing to this small cottage may need to be a little bigger. Wife and I were not sure where the Stone Cottage building was since there are two theaters in the same location. There is small sign by a rock, but this can be overlooked.

This is my favorite theater in the Dallas area! It is located near the Water Tower Theater, but it…read moreliterally is a stone cottage! I really like the intimate setting where you can almost touch the performers! Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available for whatever price you are willing to donate. Tonight we saw A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker. It was hilarious! The jokes are always funny and a bit racy. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a pickle-on-a-stick (they ran out before they got to me). This spot is definitely worth coming to over and over!

We were involved with Shine and Claire for many years. We loved her and her husband very much they…read morewere even apart of our church. My son Jonathan was cast in many shows and made lifelong friends there. He was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and as he progressed and spent more time in his wheelchair, the owner Claire had less time or use for him. She just couldn't figure out how to cast someone with a physical disability. On the flip side we moved over to Genesis Children's theater and were welcomed with open arms. His being in a wheelchair made no difference and he also made a new group of friends. Shine lost out because of their shortsightedness and bullying tactics.

My name is Beckie McCord. My daughter, Mercy, and I were deeply involved at Shine for the nearly…read morethree years we were there. She was cast well and often. My husband and I volunteered regularly and I was the costumer for many shows. This review does not come from a place of frustration because we were not given our due. I write to you today to say this, I cannot in good conscience recommend Shine Performing Arts as a healthy organization for children or adults. Shine is an organization with one boss who rules with an iron hand. Every decision must be funneled through Claire. If you are deemed difficult, you will be berated with a smile or shown the door. She leaves children and adults in tears. She doles out responsibility without effective communication or support to complete the task. She then shows up at the last minute and holds untrained volunteers and performers responsible for her lack of leadership. Her demands are not sustainable - parents and performers alike burn out regularly. Theatre is hard. I get that. I think everyone understands that you praise the good and correct the bad in order to get a quality finished product. But what happens on the Shine stage is not praise and correction. This is favoritism and dehumanization. This is shaming through comparison. Systematic crushing. This is abusive power. The children do learn skills for theater. They learn to shine according to the rules of that stage. But in doing so, they lose their spark. They never know if they will be praised or punished for their performance. They are left starving for approval and terrified of making any mistake. (I could list so many examples of this. I choose to let those families speak for themselves.) It is not only the students who suffer in this environment. Parents feel the weight of that same power inequality. Control the children, control the family. The children want to be with their friends. They want to be on the stage. There is one person who controls that narrative. The one you must please is Claire. The problem is, that is impossible. You will get praise sometimes but know this, those thanks are prep for the next big ask. The more valuable you are told you are, the more you will be asked to give. There seems to be no limit. Boundaries do not exist. The employee turnover at Shine is astronomical. When employees leave there is no good-bye. They just disappear. If you ask, you are told "they are no longer a part of Shine". Families are just left to wonder. Shine is proudly represented as a "tuition free" theater. Do not be fooled. You will be pumped for money at every turn for supplies for your child and the theater. The "wish list" purchases are mandatory and your name is broadcast if you have not contributed. Aside from all this, there is a considerable safety issue at Shine. They have written and verbal policies in place that speak of two adults in the building at all times for the safety of the children. But know that adult status is interpreted as 18 years old. Entire rehearsals are run by the young performers with no adult in the building. Volunteers are not given safety background checks. Dressing rooms are not monitored. In some situations you can have 8-18 years old in the same dressing room. Rehearsals and class times are closed. Parents are welcome to wait in the lobby but are not allowed inside the rehearsal space or classrooms. In my experience as a volunteer, I would stay in my car and wait until every child was picked up from the parking lot. There were multiple occasions where the lights were turned off and the doors locked with children still waiting for their ride. Through all this mess, the families at Shine are amazing. They are sweet and welcoming. The current office staff are incredible. They treasure your children and make them a priority. Sadly, they are limited in their authority. If safety protocols changed and Claire learned how to be kind and how to manage a volunteer work force then Shine could be a great organization. Until then, I give it 1 star.

I love this place! The entire staff are very friendly and inviting…read more I've seen 3 plays here now. All were very entertaining. There is an open concession that offers sodas, beer, wine, coffee, water, everything but Bundt cakes, cookies, popcorn, candies and more! All included with your admission! You're welcome to tip but I have not once seen anything to suggest you have too. I absolutely do of course but the staff is so nice - i would feel like tipping even if I was being charged I love the quaintness of the place too. Lots of seating, 3 large restrooms with furniture in them. Even though the place is relatively small. It's a must go!! I will be back

Every seat is a good seat and the attendants are friendly and welcoming. They treat you like a VIPread more