10/01/2026
OCTOBER MTA SPOTLIGHT
SIMON DONOGHUE
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Belmont Abbey College. In part of the celebration of this amazing milestone, Belmont (Performing Arts at Belmont Abbey College) is formally dedicating the Simon and Debbie Donoghue Theatre, honoring Simon's 48 exceptional years of service to the college and to the Abbey Players. What an appropriate time to recognize this amazing spirit, who has given so much time, talent and expertise that has been felt throughout most of the Metrolina area. So let us find out more about this amazingly gifted spirit called Simon Donoghue.
So tell us your story!
I am from Brooklyn, NY, did my undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in medieval history and entered Belmont Abbey monastery as a novice in 1974. As my bemused father said at the time, “at least you’re doing something with the degree.” When the monk who served as the previous Director of Theatre suffered a heart attack, I stupidly mentioned that I had done theatre growing up. “Congratulations!” said Abbot Jude. “You’re the new Director of the Abbey Players.” That was the summer of 1976. Annnnnd here we are!
You have performed numerous famous roles and directed so many
memorable productions. Any favorite roles you have performed? Any favorite shows you have directed?
I had the enormous luxury of only staging plays I wanted to direct. And these ranged from Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia to David Edgar’s Pentecost as well as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I think I have reasonably catholic taste (no pun intended). Asking to pick a favorite show is akin to asking a parent to pick a favorite child. The experience for me is as much about the actual cast as the play. As an actor myself? Niels Bohr in Copenhagen, Charlie in The Foreigner. And I have to say, I played Wolsey when the Rep opened the Booth with A Man for All Seasons, and still dream about Bob Croghan’s magnificent costume.
Any funny or memorable moments onstage or backstage you would like to share?
Too many to mention, but there are a few; theatre people are the funniest, smartest people in the world, and except when I was tearing my hair out the night before an opening, I remember laughing for 50 years. Last year I played John Hancock opposite Dennis Delamar as Ben Franklin in my son Christopher’s production of 1776. The two of us had so much fun working with the cast and each other. Having the chance to perform with so many local actors that I respect: Jill Bloede, Lisa Smith Bradley, Mike Collins, Millie and Warren English, Katherine Goforth, Ken Harmon, Patrick Ratchford, Brian Robinson, Vanessa Robinson, Bob Sweeten, the late great Bob Tully, so many others. All of my student actors. To appear onstage with my son Christopher, and alarmingly, to be directed by the same guy Ken Harmon used to dial 35 years ago and pretend to be Santa’s helper, Elvis the Elf. I now feel like Darth Vader confronting Luke Skywalker. The Force is indeed strong in this one! Also, Mike Collins and I once spent a fair amount of time throwing things across the lobby of a community theatre at what appeared to be a rat. Indeed it was! A dead one.
Anything still on that bucket list for roles you would like to do?
How about directing?
There really isn’t. I am grateful that people who actually like to perform do so. I enjoyed directing more. Because, like all directors, I am a control freak. Yes. Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt.
Anything about you that most people would not know?
I have collected comics since 1959, and used to occasionally hang with Jack Kirby in the 1960s. I can name all of the Kings and Queens of England since Alfred the Great, backward or forward. This is less useful than you might think.
You have had such an incredible and magical association with Belmont Abbey. How would you describe your experience there and the impact it has had and still continues to have on you.
I think everyone wants their lives to matter. My main role in life has been as an educator, and directing plays allowed me the opportunity to teach. Belmont Abbey College had allowed me scope to pick plays that were challenging to the actors and the audiences. A play is a visceral experience for them, and I spent a
lot of time on talk backs to allow both elements to express opinions. This was my overall goal: to direct shows that would cause people to engage in discussions after they saw it. I’d like to think we did more often than not. I am currently writing a play with the working title THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS about the relationship between John and Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson. I have also written VERITY, and with Nancy Manera, MIXED NUTS (Dramatic
Publishing), COMIC RELIEF, NOW LET US ALL GIVE THANKS Winner, NC State New Play Award). Together with Broadway legend Philip Rose, who produced the original A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Nancy and I completed the screenplay for an original dramedy. LABOR OF LOVE.
Anything else you would like to share with your theatre family?
Support theatre in this area. As a friend always says, it’s good for ya! It is also one of the most formidable weapons for free speech available.
Simon, thank you for being such an incredibly amazing person in our community and having such a huge imprint on the lives of so many. We are all the better for having you in our lives.
