Crosslove Theatre existed from April 2004 to December 2009, under the leadership of Mike Gilbert.  It's mission was to provide the Triad community with Christian-themed and family friendly entertainment, free of charge, and to engage the community in experimental and innovative theatre.  This is a mission we are proud to say that we accomplished.

In October of 2003, Mike Gilbert and Robin Heath, while working on "An Unexpected Christmas" at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, decided to start a new kind of community theatre.  It would not be like the Community Theatre of Greensboro nor would it be like the City Arts Drama Center.  This new kind of theatre company would provide the Triad with Christian-themed and family-friendly theatre.  The following month, the plans began to take shape as Crosslove Theatre was born.

The original plan was to start a touring company, with a set season, that would tour from church to church, performing new, exciting, and thought-provoking material.  However, when the invitations were sent out, only one church responded: CafeJAM.  So in the months that followed, Mike Gilbert, now settled into the volunteer position of Artistic Director, began discussions with "Pastor T," the head pastor of CafeJAM.  The space provided a unique performance opportunity and Gilbert's original play, "The Light of Life," was to be the first production.  Auditions and performances were set, and Crosslove Theatre's relationship with CafeJAM had begun.

Following a long day of auditions, Gilbert and Heath realized that "The Light of Life" would not go on as planned.  There were simply not enough actors.  However, there were enough actors, and the right actors, however, to pull off another play Gilbert had once looked at: Neil Simon's "God's Favorite."  He made the switch with the actor's concent and "God's Favorite" became the first production of Crosslove Theatre and opened in August of 2004.

Though the audiences were small, the show was very well recieved.  Leslie Mizell of the Go Triad called "God's Favorite" "A promising start for the new community theatre."  Following a month-long performance schedule, the next productions were auditioned.  Sadly, only one or two actors auditioned.  This was heart break for Gilbert and Heath and the 2004-05 Season was ultimately cancelled. 

Over the next six months, Gilbert pondered what to do.  During that same time, he wrote another play entiled "The Monarch Possession" which had to be re-written due to his computer crashing.  It was shocking, it was terrifying, and it was something he knew must be put on stage.  Mike called his collegue Stephen Hyers of the City Arts Drama Center about renting the City Arts Studio Theatre.  Within a month, the deal was made and Crosslove Theatre would be reborn at the Greensboro Cultural Center.  Mike and Robin's church, Pleasant Garden Baptist Church, provided the space for auditions and rehearsals and a year after CLT's first show, "The Monarch Posession" was cast with a few faces from the first show, and a few new faces as well. 

In August of 2005, "The Monarch Possession" opened.  It terrified and captivated audiences.  They wanted more.  Unfortunatly, there were not enough funds nor schedule to rent the Studio Theatre for the next show.  Soon, Mike recieved a call from Pastor T of CafeJAM.  They had moved and opened in a new location.  Gilbert quickly went to meet him and in March of 2006, "The Light of Life" auditioned a second time and in May of 2006, "The Light of Life" opened.  Though it was also well recieved, it was unfortunatly not well attended.  Mike knew the next show had to be big, and it was.  In August of 2006, CLT auditioned actors for "NARNIA: THE MUSICAL," the most ambitious CLT production to date.  The first true "family" show, "NARNIA" had a mix of children and adult actors.

However, during production, scheduling issues arose with CafeJAM and other serious problems that Gilbert could not ignore.  During September of 2006, he sent out a call for help to other area churches.  Again, only one responded.  This time, however, it was Pastor Scott Orr at  Lindley Park Church.  When asked when the next production would be, Mike responded, "funny you should ask that."  Talks began and after Orr saw "NARNIA," and the audience response in September of 2006, he realized that Crosslove Theatre would be a fantastic addition to Lindley Park Church.  Gilbert saw the space known as "Andrew's Place," and saw the Fellowship Chapel as well.  He knew CLT had found it's home.  The LPC Council agreed and in October of 2006, CLT found a home at Lindley Park Church.

That same month, Crosslove Theatre held the first auditions for "We Three Kings."  Those who auditioned were Orr, his three children (Hannah, Jonathan, and Noah) and their friend Jordan.  With the first all-youth/kid cast in place (Scott Orr became Stage Manager), "We Three Kings" performed in Andrew's Place and went on to become one of the biggest hits in CLT history.

After this CLT exploded, perfomring such shows as "John, His Story," "The Return Trilogy (Rapture & Tribulation)" in the Fellowship Chapel; and performing the classic "A Christmas Story" in the LPC Sanctuary.

In November of 2007, CLT adapted a new season format and began provided shows FREE OF CHARGE.  In January of 2008, renovations commenced in Andrew's Place, turning it into a thrust stage theatre.  In April of 2008, CLT debuted the space with "In the Beginning," an original musical that Scott had written based on the Book of Genesis.  This was also the first production not directed by Mike Gilbert, but rather his long time friend and CLT supporter Valerie Womack.   It was received very well, with almost every show "selling out."

In November of 2009, Mike realized that due to financial problems and his own calling to move on, Crosslove Theatre would close.  And in December of 2009, Crosslove Theatre presented it's final production "One Bethlehem Night" and closed its doors on December 13, 2009.