Oakwood Series 2026: From the Ground Up at Historic Oakwood Cemetery

Wouldn't you like to know if the dead were talking about you? Or, how about listening to whatever it is they talk about? Well here's your chance.Come see and hear some of Raleigh's dead artists talk about what happened both before and after they died. You may recognize some names. All the people named in this show were real and are buried here, in the Historic Oakwood Cemetery. This will be a most enlightening experience.

RALEIGH, NC–Burning Coal Theatre Company presents From the Ground Up written and directed by Bobby Kaufman. From the Ground Up will run September 18th–27th, 2026, at the Historic Oakwood Cemetery, located at 701 Oakwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27604. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. All tickets are $20, or $10 for students. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.burningcoal.org or by calling the box office at (919) 834-4001.

About the Writer/Director

Robert (Bobby) Kaufman acted, directed, sang, danced, flipped, juggled, designed lights over fifty years. Has been writing plays since 1984. Ex-New Yorker, with a B.A. from Pace University. Hunter College for his M.A. He was awarded Best Director and Best Long Production at The N.Y. State Theatre Festival Association for his new concept of “Godspell” and best director for “Lou Gehrig Didn't Die of Cancer” at the 13th Annual International Theatre Festival in Westchester, N.Y. His play, “The Man Who Hated Music”, was a finalist in the North Carolina Playwrights Lab in 2023. His short plays, “Plate Licking Tofu Scramble” and “O'Shaughnessy” were both chosen for different festivals. Bobby is excited as heck to be raising ghosts for your entertainment, and his.

About the Cast

Lemony Wood is Thomas

Laura Lillian Baggett is Ruth

Dan Oliver is Edgar

Gus Allen is Robert

Mary Rowland is Cantey

Thomas Haynes is James

About the Creative Team

Bobby Kaufman will write and direct this production. Ava Procknow will stage manage, assisted by Ethan Westmoreland and Stephanie Turner. Cole Forminio will assistant direct.