For all its 29 years, Haywood Arts Regional Theatre has made a name for itself by not playing it safe. HART has tackled the productions other companies won’t, tapped unknowns to star in big plays and has basically always kept its fans on their toes. Now, as Executive Director Steve Lloyd stares down HART’s future, he’s ready to take another big risk. But he can’t do it alone.

HART is kicking off a fundraising drive to construct a second stage. Stage II would be located right next to HART’s Main Stage on the Shelton House grounds in Waynesville.

“We’re climbing out on a limb,” said Lloyd, who’s clearly in love with this project, “but we’ve done it many times before.”

And the community has responded, time and time again. HART’s Main Stage was constructed in 1997 with donations from the ...