About Paul
Paul Pierce is an American theatrical
director, producer, actor, playwright, historic preservationist and non-profit arts consultant.
A graduate of the University of Georgia in Drama and Theatre, he has served numerous regional theaters, touring organizations, stock companies and children’s theatres as actor, director and manager.
He was associate director of the nation’s most active touring theatre, Repertory Theatre of America, producing artistic director of the Harbor Playhouse in Corpus Christi, Texas and managing director of the Wayside Theatre in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
In 1988, he returned to his native Georgia and became producing artistic director of the State Theatre of Georgia, the Springer Opera House, one of America’s National Historic Landmark treasures. He served in this post for thirty-five years and oversaw three major capital campaigns
totaling $35 million. During this period, the Springer conducted acomplete foundation-to-roof historic preservation of the 1871 theatre, installed moderntheatrical systems, constructed a new 300-seat second-space theatre for children’sprogramming and new works and built nine studio classrooms for the Springer Theatre Academy.
During Pierce’s tenure, attendance grew from 10,000 admissions a year to over 112,000. The Springer Theatre Academy was founded in 1996 with a “Life Skills Through Stage Skills” teaching philosophy, using theatre discipline and collaborative
values to help young people become confident, kind and generous leaders. Academy registrations now exceed 1,000 students per year and the program has become a model for theatre training for youth throughout the nation.
Besides his artistic successes, he is known for his audience-building and fundraising acumen, having built an endowment at the Springer of $10 million. Pierce is also a playwright and a developer of new works for the stage.
As an arts consultant, he advises and trains non-profit boards and staff in fundraising, capital campaigns, construction projects, crisis management, audience building, strategic planning, program development, visioning and dynamic operations. In 2013, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal awarded Pierce the Governor’s Award for the Arts for his lifetime of service to the arts in Georgia.
Critical Acclaim
“Paul Pierce is a true man of the theatre... his dedication, creativity, and leadership have inspired generations.”
“Working with Paul was one of the most satisfying artistic experiences of my life.”
“Paul turned the Springer Opera House into a regional powerhouse. His story reads like a novel.”
Jeff Still, Broadway Actor
Brian Reddy, Hollywood Actor
Cameron Bean, Gateways Foundation