Vidalia Theatre Company (formerly known as Onion Man Productions) was first formed in Chicago in 2003 for the purpose of producing new plays. The first public venture for the company was in October 2003. This effort produced two staged readings of the play, The Secret of the Cat by James Beck (OMP Founder).  In 2004, James Beck relocated to Atlanta and OMP was dissolved as an entity in the state of Illinois. In 2008, OMP began a new life in Georgia with its first production staged in January 2009.

The purpose for creating OMP was to provide an “open door” for people looking to find an outlet in Atlanta for getting their plays produced, and for actors and directors to grow in their craft.  Whether a person comes with a strong background in theatre or is taking a new journey in the world of theatre, the goal has always been to create a place where a theatre artist could participate in quality productions, entertain audiences, and grow creatively. Onion Man Productions is incorporated in the state of Georgia as a non-profit corporation and is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3)organization as determined by the IRS.

 

In December 2018, James Beck stepped down as the President/Artistic Director and the reigns were handed over to current President/Artistic Director, Gregory Fitzgerald. As part of a rebranding effort, the name of the company was changed to Vidalia Theatre Company in 2023, but the legal entity remains as Onion Man Productions, Incorporated.