Flat Rock Playhouse, State Theatre of North Carolina was founded in 1952 by Robroy Farquhar and his Company of Vagabond Players. What began as a few weeks of summer performances is now an eight month season of plays including world premieres and standard Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and youth theatre. In 1961 by a Act of the North Carolina General Assembly, Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. In addition to presenting top quality productions, Flat Rock Playhouse, operated by The Vagabond School of the Drama, Inc., is committed to teaching the performing arts. The YouTheatre program hosts over 600 students annually and instructs students ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors and adult acting and dance. Apprentice and Intern programs are designed to prepare college and post graduate students for a career in theatre.

The Flat Rock Playhouse has hosted a number of notable guest artists and directors including Burt Reynolds, Betty White, Dom DeLouise, June Havoc, Elizabeth Ashley, Pat Hingle, Charles Nelson Reilly, Richard Kind, Rosemary Prinz, Kyle McLaughlin, David Forsythe, Ann B. Davis, and Sherwood Schwartz.

Flat Rock Playhouse opened a satellite theater in Historic Downtown Hendersonville in 2011. The downtown theatre in an intimate setting with 250 seats in a horse shoe around the stage. 125 South Main Street, Hendersonville.

The Playhouse is considered one "Top Ten Theaters in the Country." The Flat Rock Playhouse has presented hundreds of productions. A wonderful escape from life's hectic pace, the Playhouse offers quality entertainment rarely found so far from Broadway. The Playhouse is open from early-April through mid-October, plus holiday productions, presenting matinees and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday. For additional information or a schedule of productions call (828) 693-0731 or 866-732-8008, 2661 Greenville Hwy. (Hwy. 225 South), Flat Rock, NC. .www.flatrockplayhouse.org