Kirk Englebright: He went from mattresses to movies, and built Wilmington newest studio for filmmakers

1on1 with Jon Evans

Kirk Englebright: He went from mattresses to movies, and built Wilmington newest studio for filmmakers

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Published on Mar 20, 2026, 5:30:00 AM
Total time: 00:37:39

Episode Description

Mattress executive-turned-studio CEO Kirk Englebright shares the unlikely pivot that led him from retail success to launching Dark Horse Stages, the newest studio for filmmakers in North Carolina. A surprise phone call turned a busted deal into a huge opportunity, and Englebright’s momentum exploded with rapid-fire productions, a major expansion with state-of-the-art stages, a headline-making booking of MrBeast, and a growing role as an advocate for North Carolina’s film industry.

More about 1on1 with Jon Evans

Jon Evans of WECT/Fox Wilmington is in his 43rd year of television news. He's asked a lot of questions, and you've seen or heard the answers on his newscasts. Jon is now asking different questions, going in-depth with interviews and learning things that only a few people know. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers - you'll know them better after hearing them go "1 on 1 with Jon Evans."