SPARK
Summer 2019
B L U M E N T H A L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S – I G N I T I N G C U LT U R E
A menagerie of glowing bunnies recently captured Charlotte's imagination. What else is President Tom Gabbard dreaming up? | P.9 Can art make Charlotte more fun? P.4
Turning kids on to kindness. P.13
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SUMMER 2019 | SPARK
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Ignite a SPARK: Facebook.com/NCBPAC
CONTENTS
Twitter.com/BlumenthalArts Instagram.com/BlumenthalArts
Summer 2019
BlumenthalArts.org/News
MISSION STATEMENT To present the best in the performing arts and in partnership with others, share and employ the arts as a major catalyst to strengthen education, build community cohesiveness and advance economic growth.
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PHOTO BY EARL McGEHEE
A crowd gathers at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center to see aerial dancers on the side of the building, part of Charlotte SHOUT!
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13 TURNING KIDS ON TO KINDNESS
ANIMATING WITH ART
Creative Placemaking Aims to Make Charlotte More Fun
Dorlisa and Peter Flur Lead the Way
CURIOUS CROWDS DELIGHTED BY FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL
Charlotte SHOUT! First of Its Kind Here
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A NEW WAY TO ENGAGE
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2019 CENTER CITY VISION AWARD PRESENTED TO BLUMENTHAL PRESIDENT TOM GABBARD
Blumenthal Tests App That Lets Audiences Decide What a Show Is Worth
Many More Big Dreams Are Percolating in Gabbard’s Mind
SPARK SPARK is produced by the Blumenthal Performing Arts Marketing staff.
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14 YOUR CHILD HAS CAUGHT THE SHOW BIZ BUG Now What?
16 SPRINKLE WITH COMEDY ADD A DASH OF DRAMA
That's Just the Start of the Recipe for a Sweet PNC Broadway Lights Season
ON THE COVER. Giant lighted bunnies converge on The Green in Charlotte. Photo by AlexanderSouth. NEXT PAGE: Tom Gabbard's photo by Chris Edwards.
Vice President of Marketing Wendy Oglesby Editor, Graphic Designer Mark Wallace Creative Services & Publications Manager Content Coordinator & Writer Rebecca Bereiter Communication & Creative Content Producer
Contributing Writers Liz Rothaus Bertrand Lauren Levine Adam Rhew Shameika Rhymes Editing Support John Luebke Tim Jonassen
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Board of Trustees Richard Battle Reginald Bean, Marketing & Community Relations Chair Bobby Chesney, Compensation Chair Brian Cromwell Dena R. Diorio Bobby Drakeford Julie Eiselt Charlie Elberson Jonathan D. Feit Erin Lavely Fisher John Giannuzzi Jeffrey S. Hay, Board Chair Kristin Hills Bradberry, Immediate Past Chair Renee Hobart, Education Chair Jerri Kallam Michelle Y. Lee Portia Sherman MacKinnon Susanne H. McGuire Barbara Meeks, Development Chair Gail Sharps Myers George A. Raftelis Courtney D. Rogers Matthew Salisbury, Secretary Anjali Shah Scott Tozier, Facilities Chair Kevin R. White, Treasurer, Finance & Audit Chair
UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 6-25
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
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THE BAND'S VISIT Knight Theater
BRIAN KILMEADE – AMERICA: GREAT FROM THE START Booth Playhouse
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PARK is our magazine to tell the stories of how the arts are transforming our city for the better. The vision of community leaders to build first-rate theaters in 1992 played a big part in remaking our City Center into the vibrant destination we enjoy today. In the last six years we’ve pushed beyond these beautiful venues to activate public spaces large and small. The heartbeat of our city has grown stronger as the rhythm and color of the arts connect people and bring us together. Breakin’ Convention, the Charlotte Jazz Festival and the new Charlotte SHOUT! are helping us to meaningfully connect with people outside of the traditional places. Blumenthal’s vision has grown dramatically from an initial focus on transforming a city, to a focus now on transforming people. We see this transformation of people every day. The “WOW” of being in one of our venues for the first time has a big impact on our kids. Being warmly welcomed helps them feel included and respected in ways that have a profound effect. The young local artists being nurtured through The Blumey Awards, the Loonis McGlohon Young Jazz Artist Competition, hip-hop dance programs, slam poetry, Junior Ambassadors and Broadway Dreams are achieving remarkable things. They are proof that our investment in programs for young people are creating paths to success these kids deserve. As an antidote to the increased divisiveness of our age, we’ve created fresh, new reasons for people to come together. Recently maybe you were one of those at a picnic table on Levine Avenue to enjoy free jazz, or walking with friends among the giant bunnies. Maybe you sat with neighbors on 4th Street to look up as aerial dancers floated outside the government center 15 floors up. Maybe you enjoyed marching in a second line parade. Charlotte is a city that seems to change by the day. Blumenthal is committed to using the arts to help our city change for the better.
23 AUG. 27SEPT. 8
CATS*
Belk Theater
COMMON - LET LOVE TOUR Belk Theater
DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY Booth Playhouse
SEPTEMBER 7 10-29 18
PATTON OSWALT Knight Theater
ALADDIN*
Belk Theater
KEB' MO' – SOLO ACOUSTIC
(WITH SPECIAL GUEST JONTAVIOUS WILLIS)
McGlohon Theater
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RODNEY CROWELL: "THE TEXAS TOUR" McGlohon Theater
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NATE BARGATZE 2019 TOUR Knight Theater
OCTOBER 5 THE KINGSTON TRIO McGlohon Theater
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PEPPA PIG LIVE! Belk Theater
MIKE BIRBIGLIA'S THE NEW ONE Knight Theater
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MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Knight Theater
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THE TEMPTATIONS AND THE FOUR TOPS Belk Theater
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE! KEVIN HAND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE BEYOND EARTH
McGlohon Theater
For a complete list of upcoming events, visit
BlumenthalArts.org
Tom Gabbard President & CEO
* Founders Room available for Producers Circle members one hour prior to curtain and during intermission.
BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG
SUMMER 2019 | SPARK
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PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
The Donna Hopkins Band performs in the Jazz Garden Tent at Romare Bearden Park during the Charlotte Jazz Festival, which kicked off Charlotte SHOUT! this year.
ANIMATING WITH ART
Creative Placemaking Aims to Make Charlotte More Fun
O By Adam Rhew
n a warm, humid Friday evening last summer, as the hum of rush hour traffic faded, a crowd of office workers and stay-at-home parents, retirees and children unfolded lawn chairs and blankets on the plaza outside Spirit Square in uptown. They were eager to settle in for the latest installment of Sounds on the Square, a casual outdoor concert series that Blumenthal Performing Arts launched in 2018. The 17-week offering – free to attend – was about
more than music, even if the attendees were simply ready to tap their toes to the sounds of Chócala, a Latin-fusion band. “We know more and more, people are looking for an experience … a more immersive experience,” says Blumenthal Performing Arts President Tom Gabbard. Sounds on the Square was born out of a philosophy of creative placemaking – the idea that places can become even more vibrant through the strategic use of programming, especially in public spaces. The bland,
asphalt parking lot at the back of Spirit Square, on the corner of East 7th and North College streets, was an ideal candidate to be reimagined. “It was just a drop-off space,” Gabbard says. With a fairly minimal investment, Blumenthal was able to completely transform the parking lot – making it far more attractive to sit, and better suited for a performance space. “It’s not a grand space. It doesn’t need to be a grand space,” Gabbard says. “And in some ways I think that’s part of its magic. It has an Continued on Page 5
A crowd gathers for Hamiltunes on the plaza outside Spirit Square, which was redesigned from a car turnaround to an outdoor venue to allow for such activities.
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Gabbard
Krumbine
intimacy that is part of its charm.” The Sounds on the Square series, which Blumenthal brings back this summer, underscores a broader goal for the North Tryon section of uptown. The 50-square-block district, which urban planners view as underutilized and bland, is slowly changing. Programming like the free outdoor concerts helps to animate the area, moving it from forgettable to beloved. “The vitality of the city isn’t necessarily its tall buildings and big employers,” says Robert Krumbine, chief creative officer for Charlotte Center City Partners. Krumbine has created programming and events as part of the city’s creative placemaking strategy for decades, from the Street of Champions for the 1994 Final Four to the rebirth of the city’s 71-year-old Thanksgiving Day Parade. “The vitality of the city is its culture. It’s the stuff that people want to do and be a part of and celebrate together. That’s what makes cities happen.” Center City Partners is working with organizations like Blumenthal to activate the North Tryon district. Gabbard says the area presents “a real opportunity to be intentional in making it a place where you really want to be. We want people to choose to live and work there because of the really interesting arts vibe that surrounds them.” This same strategy is relevant and being used across the urban core. “Culture should be the first thing that you think about when you’re building a great city,” Krumbine
PHOTO BY ALEXANDERSOUTH
Giant inflatable bunnies provide a unique experience during Charlotte SHOUT!
says. “It cannot be the last thing.” Creative placemaking often involves events, and the 2019 Charlotte Jazz Festival (which was April 29-May 4 this year) delivers on the goal of infusing life and energy across a wide array of spaces, from Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis inside Knight Theater to outdoor morning jam sessions. Even the subtle ways programming and public space intersect are thoughtful. The Jazz Festival performances at Romare Bearden Park take place in a tent with clear plastic walls so that attendees can experience the music while taking in the sights and sounds of the environment. With chandeliers overhead, grass underfoot, and the public realm just steps away, the Jazz Garden Tent is a beloved feature of the festival. “We created this interesting fusion between the jazz music and this beloved park,” Gabbard says. Doing so has piqued the curiosity of passersby who, Continued on Page 6
PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
The Jazz Garden Tent at Romare Bearden Park offers a unique atmosphere for listening to music during the Charlotte Jazz Festival and Charlotte Shout.
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PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
Patina Miller pays tribute to Nina Simone in Knight Theater during the 2019 Charlotte Jazz Festival. Continued from Page 5
even if they don’t know about the event, feel called to participate in it. “The arts are the best tool imaginable to create vibrancy and activity,” Gabbard says, “in a very authentic way.” Importantly, doing that in a public park that is operated by Mecklenburg County and accessible to all enables the arts to feel – and be – something anyone can experience. “All of these places next to us are really important to helping us succeed indoors,” Gabbard says. “Placemaking starts inside the venue and creating things that visually are stimulating, but it extends outdoors. It’s creating an experience for people that makes the place memorable, that makes it attractive, that makes it a destination.” The interplay between indoor and outdoor venues was on full display during Charlotte SHOUT!, a festival of art, music, food and ideas that began with the Charlotte Jazz Festival and continued through May 11. The culmination of a yearlong celebration of the City of Charlotte’s 250th anniversary, SHOUT! featured outdoor visual and performing art – think aerialists gracefully swaying across the façade of the Government Center or a one-man circus in First Ward Park – combined with compelling shows indoors, such as hip-hop performances at Knight Theater. “It’s chewy. That’s the best way I can describe it," says Krumbine, who is producing the SHOUT! festival. "You get into that city and you can taste it.” He says signature events, particularly those featuring art and music, can help define a place and drive people to experience it. “Those events give people a reason to explore and try something out. When they’re at an event that’s special, that they can’t get anywhere else, this is the opportunity. And suddenly they’re exposed to something that they didn’t know was here. Perception gets pushed away for the reality of a great place.” This kind of innovation is at the core of Blumenthal’s existence. One of the organization’s three key values is: “Lead by example.” If successful, it seeps into the ground around it and 6 SPARK | SUMMER 2019
spreads. It is contagious. People are inspired. They think about how they might add vibrancy, in subtle and grand ways, to the community around them. “We do things no one else has done yet to get others thinking about what they can do,” Gabbard says. That includes thinking differently about the organization’s more traditional spaces, such as Belk Theater or McGlohon Theater. “I try to find ways for even these beloved spaces to change,” Gabbard says. “We want to surprise and delight people. How do you change it up so people see it used differently? That’s part of what makes the whole experience memorable.” As the Chócala concert began, the band’s tropical psychedelia floated around the corner and up toward Tryon Street. Residents, out for an evening stroll or wandering for a cocktail, took note. Some followed the sound and discovered an intimate pocket of entertainment – an experience that couldn’t be replicated anywhere else in Charlotte. “Their spontaneity is enabled,” Gabbard says. “We’ve taken this public asset and made it really memorable. It is kind of a living laboratory.” T
A crowd enjoys music and fun at the Levine Avenue of the Arts tent uptown.
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PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
PHOTO BY EARL McGEHEE
PHOTO BY ALEXANDERSOUTH
Pictured at the top, clockwise from left: Blue Lapis Light dances on the side of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center; a jazz artist performs at the Charlotte Jazz Festival; and David Dimitri wows the crowd with his one-man circus act. Bottom, clockwise from top left, dancers perform in SHOUT Out! Charlotte Hip Hop; a giant rabbit illuminates The Green; a crowd enjoys an outdoor performance; see-saws light up faces; and a couple dances at the Headphone Disco.
CURIOUS CROWDS DELIGHTED BY FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL IDEAS+MUSIC+FOOD+ART
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By Adam Rhew
harlotte SHOUT! – a celebration of art, music, ideas and food – featured exceptionally curated programming with the goal of resonating with residents and visitors alike. Continuing the momentum from the Charlotte Jazz Festival, events continued through May 11.
Charlotte SHOUT! First of Its Kind Here Trade and Tryon was transformed into Convergence Square, featuring diverse art and music from various community groups. A main music stage at Romare Bearden Park was home to nightly concerts, First Ward Park featured family-friendly programming, and keynote addresses in venues such as McGlohon Theater sparked curiosity for
all in attendance. Many of the festival events were free to attend. Blumenthal Performing Arts partnered with Charlotte Center City Partners to produce this transformational event that was unlike any the city had ever experienced. Light art, augmented reality and interactive exhibits were designed to surprise and delight attendees. T
PHOTO BY ALEXANDERSOUTH
PHOTO BY ALEXANDERSOUTH
PHOTO BY ALEXANDERSOUTH
PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
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A NEW WAY TO ENGAGE
Blumenthal Tests App That Lets Audiences Decide What a Show Is Worth
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By Liz Rothaus Bertrand
ahlil Ashanti, a writer and performer whose awardwinning shows have played all over the world, is not your typical computer programmer. But his new web application, “weshowup.io,” could revolutionize the way theaters and artists do business. Forty-something Ashanti learned to code on late nights after picking up his kids from soccer practice, helping his wife take care of things at home, and tucking in their three boys at night. Local audiences may know Ashanti best from his critically-acclaimed one-man show, Basic Training, or the innovative PostSecret: The Show, which he co-wrote. Both productions had successful runs at Booth Playhouse in Charlotte. Throughout his career, Ashanti has often taken risks. “I had to go out as an artist and create opportunities for myself,” he says. PHOTO BY PETER JAMES ZIELINSKI And in 2016, despite juggling many Ashanti other projects – including a new role on the Amazon Prime series “The Tick” – he decided to take up coding so that he could spend more time with his family and less time on the road. Building his skills as a web developer was incredibly hard work – lonely, frustrating and exhausting. “You wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy,” says Ashanti, who credits his family for helping him get through it. “My love for them is what kept me going.”
ABOUT THE APP
His new web-based app (mobile coming soon) helps build connections between artists and the public by enabling audience members to pay whatever they think a show is worth when the perceived value is highest – after they see it. He’s created the digital equivalent of passing the hat, giving the public the power to set the price. It also allows performers, promoters and venues learn what audiences really think of their show and develop a relationship with them for future events. This innovative app has a special connection to Charlotte, too, since Blumenthal’s CEO Tom Gabbard is serving as a senior adviser on the project. He believes it will help talented, under-the-radar artists maximize their earning potential and connect with new audiences. “We’re hopeful to see this expand, but people in Charlotte are getting the first opportunity to experiment with this and see it evolve,” says Gabbard. “There is nothing like it in the performing arts.”
ORIGIN STORY
The roots of “weshowup.io” go back to Ashanti’s first big break in the 1990s, performing for active duty military personnel in some 8 SPARK | SUMMER 2019
PHOTO BY BRIAN TWITTY
An audience reacts to a show.
of the most dangerous places in the world, with the elite Air Force entertainment unit, Tops In Blue. “We were required to shake the hands of every soldier who came to see us,” says Ashanti. That profound experience, connecting directly with spectators, taught him that his No. 1 responsibility as a performer was to serve the audience well. Following his military years, wherever he toured his own shows, he continued to greet audience members after every performance, building trust and gathering unexpected feedback.
SEEDS OF A NEW IDEA
People often told Ashanti after seeing a performance they would have happily paid more for it. That made him wonder what would happen if the audience could set the price after seeing a show. He started testing the idea in his hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia, asking spectators to drop money into a big trash can he held at the end of the performance, if they felt so inspired, rather than paying upfront. The results were promising, but he couldn’t tell who had given what. He kept experimenting, eventually creating a website prototype. For $5, people could reserve a seat for his show Basic Training and then pay what they wanted afterward. People paid an average of $53 per booking. “All of the sudden, I made more money per person this way than when I played it off-Broadway or in Scotland,” says Ashanti. He realized this technology could benefit many artists in the new connection economy, enabling them to expand their audiences by making it less risky for someone to take a chance on an unknown show. It also would allow performers and venues to build an audience for future productions by connecting them directly to their fans.
FLASH FORWARD
Now the app is being tested in other markets, including New York City; Sydney, Australia; and Charlotte. “Tom Gabbard has been incredibly kind and helpful (in scaling this project),” says Ashanti. Other industries are reaching out to Ashanti, from walking tours and museums to restaurants and retailers launching new products. “I’ve created so many opportunities for myself because I was afraid but willing to step out of my comfort zone,” he says. “I feel like Tom Gabbard, and other innovative, forward-thinking decisionmakers like him, can only take a chance on you to the degree that you are willing to take a chance on yourself.” T LEARN MORE:
Check out weshowup.io online to be a part of the story.
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SPARK
SPECIAL EDITION
2019 CENTER CITY VISION AWARD PRESENTED TO BLUMENTHAL PRESIDENT TOM GABBARD Many More Big Dreams Are Percolating in Gabbard’s Mind On April 11, 2019, at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte Center City Partners honored Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard with the 2019 Vision Award "for his profound creative impact in Charlotte's Center City and beyond." Following is Gabbard's acceptance speech in full.
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reating the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in 1992 was an amazingly bold, visionary strategy. Building a first-class home for the performing arts was integral to the resurgence of uptown Charlotte. As part of our 25th Anniversary, we recorded an interview with Hugh McColl where he minced no words. He said that in his first visit to Charlotte, he thought it was the most boring place he’d ever been to in his whole life. Thankfully Mr. McColl, Bill Lee, Deborah Harris, Rolfe Neill and others set out to change that by dreaming the very big dream of a Performing Arts Center for Charlotte. These leaders understood that a Performing Arts Center was essential to creating a heartbeat for uptown after 5:30 p.m. and on weekends. Their strategy worked. Now with over 1,000 performances annually in our six venues, over 4,000 classes, meetings and events, the heartbeat of activity is strong. This steady pace has helped to create an uptown that is vibrant seven days a week, 18 hours a day. Charlotte is now a top 10 market for touring Broadway. People have access to more Broadway shows than other major cities like San Francisco and Boston. The Performing Arts Center is an important tool to recruit and retain companies as well as their talent. It generates strong traffic for restaurants, bars and hotels. A big show like Hamilton generates nearly $25MM in local economic benefit through spending at restaurants, hotels, employment of local stagehands and musicians, payroll and sales taxes. A more typical one-week show, like Dear Evan Hansen a few weeks ago, generates $4MM in local benefit. Continued on Page 10
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"Remarkable as the transformation of uptown Charlotte has been, even sweeter has been the transformation of people." ALL QUOTES BY TOM GABBARD
BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS PRESIDENT & CEO
PHOTOS BY DANIEL COSTON
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"Programs like The Blumey Awards are helping to give many of our kids the shot they deserve. " Remarkable as the transformation of uptown Charlotte has been, even sweeter has been the transformation of people. It’s impossible to overstate the impact of just walking through the doors at a Blumenthal venue for some of our kids. Young people who never felt there was a place for them in our city are transformed from a chance to see a show. The experience for our kids of seeing talented performers who look like them opens their eyes to what is possible. I loved hearing Mary Nell MacPherson, who heads Freedom Schools, talk about the first visit of their students to see The Lion King. We’re honored to host the Freedom School Scholars to see a show each summer. A young Freedom School scholar, after seeing The Lion King said, “We Can Do This.” That young lady was forever transformed by her day at The Lion King. This last fall, over 2,000 Title 1 high school students from the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia participated
in EduHam. This six-week program culminated with students coming to Belk Theater to perform their own creations for cast members of Hamilton. Later the students saw a complete performance. We know hundreds of these kids were transformed by that experience. For students in the 48 schools throughout the region who compete in The Blumey Awards, performing at Blumenthal will be a lifelong source of pride and inspiration. Most of these kids will not become stars, but they will leave the experience with greater discipline, stronger teamwork skills and more self-confidence that will help them for the rest of their lives. These programs have shown over and over that an investment in arts programs for our kids pays big dividends. Tonight we have one Blumey alum starring in a musical on Broadway. Another is starring in a musical in London’s West End.
"It’s impossible to overstate the impact of just walking through the doors at a Blumenthal venue for some of our kids. Young people who never felt there was a place for them in our city are transformed ..."
"... an investment in arts programs for our kids pays big dividends."
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"The experience for our kids of seeing talented performers who look like them opens their eyes to what is possible. " What’s even more wonderful is that both are talented young actresses of color. Programs like The Blumey Awards are helping to give many of our kids the shot they deserve. We’re proud of groups like Slam Charlotte, which we’ve sponsored for 15 years. They recently won the national poetry slam competition for the third time. They are the only Slam Poetry team in the country who has ever achieved that honor. For three years we brought from London Breakin’ Convention, the international hip-hop dance theater festival. The festival helped us break all sorts of conventions in how art is presented to the public, how we work with artists, and how we involve the public. It introduced us to a wonderful group of graffiti and hip-hop artists in Charlotte who now are regularly part of our programs. The last few years you’ve seen us “push the inside out” by moving programs outdoors and to unexpected places in uptown. Many of these initiatives have been modest in scale since the most successful placemaking frequently involves a series of small actions, not something big and dramatic. We’re proud of converting a car turnaround at Spirit
Square into The Square at Spirit Square where last summer we hosted 19 consecutive Friday nights of free concerts and movies. In a few weeks you’ll see a return of the Jazz Garden Tent at Romare Bearden Park. Artist Romare Bearden, who loved jazz and had a warm friendship with Wynton Marsalis and his family, will be looking down smiling when Wynton Marsalis and other great artists perform there. In an era of exceptional divisiveness, our investment to bring people together is more important than ever. In the upcoming Charlotte Jazz Festival that kicks off Charlotte SHOUT!, you’ll find picnic tables, food and drink along with over 40 free concerts. We believe that if you bring people together for great music, along with something to eat and drink, they’ll solve some of the world’s problems together. Stimulating creativity and curiosity are important goals for nurturing a healthy city. In a few short weeks with the launch of Charlotte SHOUT!, a very big new idea will unfold that will spark everyone’s imagination.
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SPECIAL EDITION
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"In an era of exceptional divisiveness, our investment to bring people together is more important than ever." Charlotte is ready to take on the big new idea of Charlotte SHOUT! Blumenthal has teamed up with our friends at Center City Partners to create something for our city that is unlike anything we’ve seen before. The 13 days of fresh ideas, imagination, celebration and awe will be extraordinary. Trust me, it will blow your mind to see what is ahead in the upcoming Charlotte SHOUT! Being part of this community is a real privilege. I was very lucky in 2003 when the Blumenthal board chair at the time, Jim Hance, called and invited me to drain the antifreeze from my veins in Green Bay and move to Charlotte. I’m exceptionally lucky to work with a wonderful team at Blumenthal and an incredible board. I’m thankful for the unity of purpose that exists with our staff and board. I’m grateful for their commitment to leading by example, to creativity and innovation, and to making our programs meaningful to each citizen. Charlotte has come a long way from that boring city Mr. McColl experienced. The city’s heartbeat and look change throughout the day from business to arts, entertainment and restaurants at night. The partnership with arts groups, business leaders and government is nurturing a vibrant, diverse city that we should all be proud of.
The book on Charlotte has had many chapters in its first 250 years. I hope you’re like me in feeling that we’re about to turn the page and begin a new chapter. The opportunity is ours to create a truly great city. Doing so will take ALL of us. To my developer and building-owner friends, be intentional about placemaking and using the arts to make spaces that the public will love. The value of your investment will soar when it’s done right. To my friends in government, your continued partnership is essential for us to assure that each citizen has access to arts programs that will fuel their creativity and sense of belonging in our community. The arts uniquely bring us together. And to my generous friends in the charitable community, we need your continued support for programs that bring life to the wonderful venues, museums, parks and public spaces we are blessed with. I’m deeply grateful to Center City Partners for this honor tonight. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with Michael Smith and his team at Center City Partners who share our passion to serve our community. Thank you.
"The opportunity is ours to create a truly great city. Doing so will take ALL of us." 12 SPARK | SUMMER 2019
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DIFFERENCE MAKERS
TURNING KIDS ON TO KINDNESS Dorlisa and Peter Flur Lead the Way
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By Liz Rothaus Bertrand
hen longtime Producer’s Circle members Dorlisa and Peter Flur saw an opportunity to support the development of a new theater project that encourages kids and adults to incorporate kindness in their everyday actions, they knew they wanted to be part of it. Since relocating to Charlotte in 2000, the Flurs have served as some of the community’s biggest advocates for arts and culture, taking leading roles as donors and board members for a variety of local organizations. Dorlisa is a past chair of the board of directors for both Blumenthal Performing Arts and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. She also served on the board of the Arts & Science Council for six years. Peter is Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s longest-serving board member.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ARTS
The Flurs’ only daughter, Arella, shares their passion, having practically grown up at the theater. She attended her first Blumenthal show as a toddler. Now a high school senior, she recently starred in Charlotte Latin School’s production of Mary Poppins, which won her the Best Actress award in Blumenthal's Blumey Awards. She also volunteers as a Blumenthal Junior Ambassador. Next fall, she’ll head to Northwestern University to study arts administration. For Dorlisa and Peter, their involvement in the arts blossomed alongside their busy professional lives. When the couple moved to Charlotte, they had a lot on their plates: Dorlisa was co-leading McKinsey & Company’s local office during a period of rapid growth; Peter was running a startup business based in Atlanta, where they had previously lived; and they had a baby on the way. Despite their many obligations, they were eager to serve their new Charlotte community through the arts. Dorlisa joined the board of the ASC, where she gained a deeper understanding of the local arts landscape. When Dorlisa’s term ended, Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard approached her about joining Blumenthal’s board, and she was happy to accept. “It was great to get involved with a top-notch organization with a top-notch leader where we, as a family, enjoyed spending time,” says Dorlisa. In 2005, Peter sold his business. This freed him up to get more involved in the community and focus on raising Arella, then 4 years old. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte seemed like the perfect place to direct his energy and meshed well with their young daughter’s enthusiasm for the performing arts. While expanding their involvement, the Flurs also searched for a special way to make a difference. They admired The Doctor Family Foundation’s work at Blumenthal, funding several life-changing programs for youths, and hoped to find something comparable.
Dorlisa and Peter Flur, first and second from right, pose for a photo with the cast of Last Stop on Market Street, the first show in The Kindness Project series.
THE KINDNESS PROJECT
That opportunity came in 2016 during a Children’s Theatre of Charlotte board meeting. While discussing the rancorous political climate surrounding the presidential election, the idea emerged for commissioning a new play series based on award-winning children’s books to promote acts of kindness. “Kindness (is) a verb, not a noun,” says Peter Flur. “You have to do something to be kind. I heard this and it inspired me. I went home and we agreed, ‘This is it. This is the one we have to do.’” The Flurs quickly pledged to sponsor the development of three new plays, including acquiring the book rights, hiring an artistic team and funding preproduction workshops. “Having that level of support for the extended project was just paramount,” says Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Managing Director Linda Reynolds. “That level of excitement and energy from them has caused ripple effects.” The first two shows, Last Stop on Market Street and A Sick Day for Amos McGee, premiered during the 2018-19 season. The Invisible Boy is currently in development, along with two more plays to be determined that the Flurs have added to their original commitment. “Their belief in the power of the arts and their willingness to invest their time and their treasure really needs to be shouted from the rooftops,” says Reynolds. “They have not only provided the financial side, they have also provided tremendous leadership.” A key part of the project has been inspiring people to focus on kindness in their own interactions. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte created thousands of bracelets in honor of The Kindness Project and encourages the public to share stories about acts of kindness in their own lives and post on social media photos of themselves wearing the bracelets. The Flurs say it has been thrilling to observe the early stages of the creative process, but equally exciting has been the opportunity to examine how small actions can add up and change the way we engage with one another. “There are hundreds of ways, and they really all do make a difference,” says Peter Flur. T LEARN MORE:
www.ctcharlotte.org
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YOUR CHILD HAS CAUGHT THE SHOW BIZ BUG Now What?
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By Lauren Levine
t’s official: your child was bit by the acting bug. Now what? Mitzi Corrigan understands the uncertainty nonperformer parents might feel when their son or daughter reveals dreams of seeing his or her name in lights. Corrigan is a casting director at C&J Casting and mom of Abby, a winner of Blumenthal Performing Arts’ 2014 High School Musical Theater Awards, called The Blumey Awards. Abby Corrigan was in Jesus Christ Superstar Live on FOX last year and starred in the national touring production of the Tony-winning Fun Home. “It’s like having this strange alien being in your home!” Mitzi Corrigan laughs. For those looking to help their wannabe performers excel, Corrigan recommends beginning with summer camps and classes that will hone their child’s acting skills and help them decide if this is truly something they would like to turn into a career. If their commitment becomes more serious, she suggests exploring programs like Theatre Charlotte and Northwest School of the Arts. Other beneficial experiences include working as an extra on a movie set or acting in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ student films. Later on, consider incorporating acting for the camera courses to see if your child might like to dip his or her toe into the film waters. Charlie Rapp and Denise Olexa, parents of Renee Rapp, 19, cite similar experiences as a key part of their daughter’s foundation as a performer. Renee Rapp won The Blumey Awards and The National High School Musical Theater Awards (Jimmy® Awards) in 2018 and now stars in the Broadway production of Mean Girls. Her parents suggest involvement with Teen City Stage as a transformative
Above, Nkeki Obi Melekwe, right, is a Blumey Award alum from Central Academy of Technology and Arts who made it in show business. She's posing with Tina Turner, whom she portrays in TINA, The Tina Turner Musical in London, seen at right.
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PHOTO BY COURTESY OF THE JIMMY AWARDS
Renee Rapp, second from left, Best Actress winner at last year's Blumey Awards, poses on the red carpet at the Jimmy Awards with her dad, Charlie, left, her brother, Charles, and her mother, Denise Olexa.
experience for young people who’d like to pursue acting full time. No matter how unbiased you might try to be, offering a fair assessment of your child’s talent is inevitably a tall order. Instead of obsessing about whether your son or daughter has the skills required to make it in the field, David Dabbon, Blumey Awards music director and dance arranger for Broadway’s Beetlejuice, suggests focusing on drive, explaining, “You can see drive easily. When you see that spark hit, that’s a really key element to know that somebody’s doing the right thing.” Rest assured, Dabbon also explains that the performing arts field isn’t nearly as limited as some parents might fear. Certainly there is the chance to work as a dancer, actor or singer, but there are many other jobs available to those who love the industry, including working as a playwright, a literary manager or a crew member. Dabbon’s own career path illustrates the many options available. “I started as a dancer and made my living as a musician, and now I’m doing something called dance arranging,” he explains. If your son or daughter has zeroed in on the onstage or oncamera aspect of performing, sharpening skills is a must. Corrigan recommends private vocal or acting coaching. Another essential? The right agent. While it’s possible to land roles through open calls, Dabbon and Corrigan agree that having an agent makes getting work significantly easier. But Corrigan advises that it’s important to do careful research before signing on the dotted line, ensuring that the professional meshes well with your child’s personality and goals. Helping your son or daughter feel confident in who they are as a performer is a critical part of enabling them to find success as they
“There are so many factors you can’t control that go into casting ... As long as she does her best, that makes a great impression, and the casting director may not cast her that time but might call her back.” MITZI CORRIGAN
PHOTO BY MANUEL HARLAN
BLUMENTHALARTS.ORG
CASTING DIRECTOR AT C&J CASTING / MOTHER OF ABBY CORRIGAN, BLUMEY WINNER AND BROADWAY STAR
PHOTO BY DANIEL COSTON
Students from area schools perform at the annual Blumey Awards ceremony.
audition, and it’s one that shouldn’t get lost as a budding star sharpens vocal chops or dance abilities. “Everybody has different tastes and opinions on how to cast roles, especially on shows people already know,” Dabbon says. “Some might say you’re very funny, some might say you’re not. Some might say you should be the next-door neighbor. No, you’re the leading actress! Everybody has different opinions and it gets really confusing. “At the end of the day, it’s important to know where you feel you fit in and what feels right,” he says. “You need to know where things click and align.” This authenticity is important when using social media, too. An aspiring performer might feel pressure to develop a large social media following in hopes that the impressive numbers will grab a casting director’s eye. Corrigan urges caution with a young thespian’s every tweet, post and like. “I’ve cast several Hallmark movies, and they’re very family friendly. We’ve had a few people who’ve gotten close to getting cast, but they found some not-so-pleasant social media posts. Be very careful about that,” she advises. No matter how carefully curated their social media profiles are and how well-practiced their audition material might be, aspiring actors and actresses will inevitably run into disappointment as they try to progress in their field. For parents coaching their kids through
PHOTO BY DANIEL COSTON
Arella Flur, daughter of Blumenthal supporters Dorlisa and Peter Flur, practically grew up at the theater having attended her first Blumenthal show at the age of 4. This past May, Arella won Best Actress in the 2019 Blumey Awards for playing Mary Poppins at Charlotte Latin School.
“The thing I keep seeing is that people who are very genuine to who they are and what they’re strongest at really thrive.” PHOTO BY RUTHIE RADO
Dabbon
DAVID DABBON
MUSIC DIRECTOR AND DANCE ARRANGER
these trials and tribulations, this heartbreak by proximity can feel devastating. Charlie Rapp and Denise Olexa have developed a finetuned strategy for guiding their daughter through these moments, which involves “loving her up” when bad news comes in and offering gentle words of advice. Speaking about how he consoles his daughter after disappointment, Charlie Rapp says, “I would tell her, ‘You know what, Sweetheart? You’re not going to get them all the time. This is life. Listen to the feedback, take it for what it is, and move forward and try to get better at what you thought you did wrong or where you can improve yourself. Don’t think it’s automatic. You’re not entitled to anything, and if you keep staying after it, it’ll come.’ But it was rough.” As both a casting director and a parent of a performer, Mitzi Corrigan often uses her professional insight to help daughter Abby move through career challenges. “There are so many factors you can’t control that go into casting. 'She doesn’t look like the mother that’s already cast. We want blonde hair, not dark hair.' As long as she does her best, that makes a great impression, and the casting director may not cast her that time but might call her back. Do not chase every carrot that’s dangled. There are lots of carrots out there,” she says. One thing all parents of would-be performers should keep in mind: there’s no clear-cut path to stardom, and two equally successful actors could have two very different paths to success. Dabbon says, “The thing I keep seeing is that people who are very genuine to who they are and what they’re strongest at really thrive. As times evolve, my guess is that’s going to stay a constant.” T
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SPRINKLE WITH COMEDY, ADD A DASH OF DRAMA
That's Just the Start of the Recipe for a Sweet PNC Broadway Lights Season
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By Shameika Rhymes
etween family shows, comedy shows, dramatic musicals and more, figuring out how to top each PNC Broadway Lights season isn’t an easy feat. With Charlotte as a destination for hit Broadway shows heading out on tour, Blumenthal Performing Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard says it’s a trend that will continue. "Our appetite for shows is such that Charlotte can expect to see nearly all of the first-class productions that tour. People here can see more touring Broadway than they would in major cities like San Francisco or Boston.” Gabbard gives some insight into what goes into putting together the PNC Broadway Lights lineup. Q. When do you decide to put together the upcoming Broadway season? Gabbard: We typically announce the season in early spring, but it varies from time to time. The planning for it goes on throughout the year. In tracking these shows, sometimes it goes on years in advance. Q. What went into picking the types of shows that are featured in the 2019-2020 season? Gabbard: I'm very involved in the theater business as an adviser and investor. I'm a Tony voter so I see every new show on Broadway. My journey with a show, though, may begin with a first reading or workshop. If it works, it may take five years before landing in Charlotte.
Come From Away is part of the 2019-2020 Broadway Lights seaon.
A show everyone is excited about this season is Come From Away. My wife and I first heard 45 minutes of it at the Festival of New Musicals, an annual event in New York that Blumenthal sponsors. The producers who eventually produced it on Broadway also heard it first there. Q. How did you decide that now is the time to bring these particular shows to Charlotte? Gabbard: First of all, any show that wins (Tony Awards for) Best Musical or Best Revival of a Musical typically finds its way to Charlotte. Since Blumenthal opened, we’ve hosted every winner of the Best Musical award and nearly all of the Best Revival of a Musical winners. So that means the Tony Awards matter. That’s why I tell people when they watch the Tony Awards, they should think of it as a preview of coming attractions. We try to deliver on the promise of bringing the best of Broadway to Charlotte. We and producers want Charlotte to be in the first year of a tour. It's a great market. However, scheduling problems sometimes push us later. We commit a lot of time to our resident groups, so when a show tours through this region, we may not have a venue available and have to wait until later. Q. How do you ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy? Gabbard: We want to bring the best of recent Broadway shows here, and Broadway itself totally by coincidence will shift one way or the other. There are certain seasons that have an abundance of family shows. There are certain seasons that end up being more dramatic. There’s no master plan of Broadway leaders to figure that out. It just happens that way. So, because of that, we’re reflective of what has happened on Broadway 12 to 36 months before us. We do try to make sure there’s a variety of things because we know some people want to be dramatically challenged and have some very serious things here; others are after something very light and relaxing. That’s where our swap program comes in and gives people a way to customize their season, so it’s satisfying. Q. What show are you looking most forward to this season? Gabbard: I truly love them all! I wouldn't be in this business and see 250-plus shows a year if I wasn't passionate about them. Come From Away will be a high point, though. It's a beautiful show full of great themes. Not only did my wife and I see an early workshop, but pre-Broadway, I went to Seattle to see it and sat behind the real life American pilot who is a main character in the show. Both of us were moved by this show. T LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SEASON:
Blumenthal President Tom Gabbard views many musicals throughout the year.
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www.BlumenthalArts.org/Broadway
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BLUMENTHAL
in Pictures
Astronaut Terry Virts visits McGlohon Theater as part of the National Geographic Live speaker series. An all-new series is scheduled for next season, starting in October.
The team from Blue Lapis Light rehearses its aerial routine on the side of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in anticipation of their nightime performances for Charlotte SHOUT!
During the annual NYC trip for Blumenthal's generous supporters, producer Dori Berinstein shared insights about producing on Broadway, her film documentaries, and her current Broadway show, The Prom, at the Broadway League offices.
Delivering Blumey love to Eva Noblezada (2013 Blumey winner) at her opening night of Hadestown on Broadway are Renee Rapp and David Dabbon.
A Tablao Flamenco pop-up performance happens in uptown Charlotte in February. PHOTO BY BECKY BEREITER
Students and educatiors from West Mecklenburg High School pose in front of Belk Theater when they were in town to participate in EduHam.
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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS Contributions received from May 1, 2018-May 1, 2019
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Membership gifts make inspiration possible in our community. JOIN TODAY! BlumenthalArts.org/givenow or call 704.379.1288 18 SPARK | SUMMER 2019
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CATALYST PARTNERS The Arts & Science Council supports Blumenthal Performing Arts’ 2019 fiscal year budget with operating and programmatic grants.
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Blumenthal Performing Arts receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
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Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No. 3036
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WE INSPIRE BIG DREAMS Abby Corrigan, named Best Actress in Blumenthal Performing Arts’ 2014 Blumey Awards, is a 2016 graduate of Musical Theatre and Drama at Northwest School of the Arts. She landed the role of Medium Allison on the National Tour of Fun Home just out of high school.
Blumenthal Performing Arts has been entertaining and inspiring our community since 1992.
Your gifts make inspiration possible. Abby Corrigan performs at Blumenthal Performing Arts' 25th anniversary celebration. PHOTO BY DANIEL COSTON
130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202 704.372.1000 • BlumenthalArts.org