Feb 22 - Mar 9, 2025 I For Ages 7+
ImaginOn (photo courtesy of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library)
TIARA’S HAT PARADE
Adapted for the stage by Paige Hernandez
Based on the book written by Kelly Starling Lyons
Director Angelisa Gillyard*
Assistant Director Brandon J Johns
Scenic Designer HannaH Crowell
Lighting Designer Kathy A. Perkins**
Assistant Lighting Designers Kathryn Fletcher & Adriana Pinkerton
Costume Designer Margarette Joyner
Sound Designer Lindsay Putnam
Assistant Sound Designer Camille Everett
Projection Designer Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor
*Member United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829
**Member Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
This production is a part of
Run time 65 minutes
Videotaping, photography and other recording of this production is prohibited.
The 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 Season
Special thanks to Dorlisa and Peter Flur, whose ongoing commitment to The Kindness Project, helped bring this story to life.
Today’s celebration is brought to life, in part, by:
Linda Reynolds
Herb & Gina Clegg
NEA
Rob & Caryn Craige
Stephen & Stephanie Sorenson
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, by the City of Charlotte and its generous donors, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Additional support is provided by the Shubert Foundation.
- Experiences for students ages 3 to 18 led by Professional Teaching ArtistsCamps are grouped by age and offered at ImaginOn, with select satellite camps offered at at CPCC’s Levine Campus (Matthews) & Gaston Day School.
Creative
Team
Playwright..........................................................................................Paige Hernandez
Director...............................................................................................Angelisa Gillyard
Assistant Director................................................................................Brandon J Johns
Scenic Designer..................................................................................HannaH Crowell
Lighting Designer.................................................................................Kathy A. Perkins
Assistant Lighting Designers..............................Kathryn Fletcher, Adriana Pinkerton
Costume Designer..........................................................................Margarette Joyner
Sound Designer....................................................................................Lindsay Putnam
Assistant Sound Designer.....................................................................Camille Everett
Projection Designer...........................................................Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor
For This Production
Stage Manager........................................................................................Brandi Gaeta
SomeStudent Stage Manager...................................................................Leighton Cooper
Run Crew.................................................................................................Sage Espinoza
Wardrobe Supervisor..................................................................................Gbale Allen
Props Carpenter..........................................................................................Sterling Lett
Electricians...........................................Sage Espinosa, Nate Yeasley, Zachary Helm
Sound Mixer.............................................................................................Michael Russo
people say I have a knack for storytelling. Well, my momma has a gift for making hats. Ladies came from all over to get a Tracy Rose Millinery creation. I was her helper, the best hat model around.
Video Operator..................................................................................Leighton Cooper
Lightboard Operator...............................................................................Zachary Helm
Cast
Lydia Danielle............... Tiara, Mama (Tracy
EJ Williams.......................Understudy
Special Thanks to:
Addie Mae Black who passed away last year. Her granddaughter, Shanea N. Taylor donated her hats to Margarette Joyner who put them in the show in her honor.
Rose), Daddy (Sean Rose), Ms. Coleman, Ms. Ball, Ms. Irving, Ms. Sue, Matti, Sam
Illustration © Nicole Tadgell
Meet the Cast
Lydia Danielle
Raised in Anson County North Carolina has had the pleasure of debuting her professional career at Cape Fear Regional Theater as “Grace” in August Wilson’s THE PIANO LESSON (2014). She began her Children’s Theatre of Charlotte experience in 2017 as “Peter” in THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES and has enjoyed the journey every step of the way. Now, she is extremely grateful to grace CTC’s stage wearing one of many hats in TIARA’S HAT PARADE!
Lydia plays all nine roles in the show: Tiara, Mama (Tracy Rose), Daddy (Sean Rose), Ms. Coleman, Ms. Ball, Ms. Irving, Ms. Sue, Matti, and Sam
Illustration © Nicole Tadgell
Meet the Cast
EJ Williams (she/her)
Understudy
EJ Williams is an actor, dancer, and creative from Washington DC. She received her BA in Theater from University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her MFA in Acting from Ohio University. During her acting career she played a plethora of unique characters such as Angel (BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY) and Dunn (MEN ON BOATS). She’s excited to be performing for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for the first time. EJ loves fun facts so here’s a couple of fun facts about her: her favorite food is cheese, her favorite TV show is Abbott Elementary, and she trained with circus professionals!
Illustration © Nicole Tadgell
Paige Hernandez Playwright
Creative Team
Paige Hernandez is a multidisciplinary artist who is critically acclaimed as a performer, director, choreographer and playwright. As an AEA equity actress, Paige has performed on many stages throughout the country. She has collaborated with the Lincoln Center and has been commissioned by several companies including the National New Play Network, the Smithsonian, The Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse and the Glimmerglass Festival. She is the recipient of an Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council as well as four Helen Hayes nominations for choreography, directing and performance. Paige has also been named a “classroom hero” by The Huffington Post, a “Citizen Artist Fellow” with the Kennedy Center, “40 under 40” by the Washington Post and one of “Six Theatre Workers You Should Know” by American Theatre Magazine. Her work on inclusive spaces and theatre-based trauma informed practices has received international acclaim and garnered her such acknowledgement as the inaugural Victor Shargai Leadership Award and a repeat keynote speaker and presenter for Disney. Paige was recently appointed to the Maryland State Arts Council by Governor Wes Moore. She is elated to be the Associate Artistic Director of
Everyman Theatre in her hometown of Baltimore, MD. With her company B-FLY ENTERTAINMENT, Paige continues to develop and tour original work internationally. www.paigehernandez.com
Angelisa Gillyard Director
Angelisa is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated director, choreographer and educator. Most recently she directed the DC area premier of The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin and served as associate director for the Broadway and off-Broadway productions of Days of Wine and Roses. She directed and choreographed the Helen Hayes nominated production of The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen at Imagination Stage and directed the Helen Hayes nominated production of Once on This Island for Constellation Theatre Company. Angelisa also co-directed the Helen Hayes nominated Day of Absence with Raymond O. Caldwell at Theater Alliance. Her direction and choreography have also been seen at Arena Stage, 1st Stage, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, Folger Theatre, and several DC area colleges and universities. Angelisa has an MBA, PhD in business and MFA in directing. Visit www.angelisa.net to learn more.
Brandon J Johns Assistant Director
Creative Team
Brandon is an actor and musician based in Charlotte, NC. He received a BA in Music Performance from Virginia State University and has been a professional actor since 2009. Since relocating from Virginia in 2018, Brandon has been involved with many shows at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte where he has been a crew member, performer, and music director. Brandon is so excited to receive the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship and begin this new assistant director journey with these talented artists.
HannaH Crowell Scenic Designer
HannaH is honored to return to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte to join the parade. A mutli-disiplinary designer, she has designed immersive and experiential worlds for the stage, museum, and retail environment that inspire, educate, and entertain. Her previous scenic designs at CTC include Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, Invisible Boy and Tomás and the Library Lady. Before moving to Charlotte, she spent many years working as a designer in theatres throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area at venues including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ford’s Theatre, Folger Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Adventure Theatre, and Imagination Stage.
Kathy A. Perkins Lighting Designer
Kathy has designed lighting for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theatres such as American Conservatory Theatre, Arena Stage, Berkeley Repertory, Seattle Repertory, St. Louis Black Repertory, Alliance, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Baltimore Center Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, New Federal Theatre, Mark Taper, Yale Repertory, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Syracuse Stage, Two River Theatre, People’s Light, and Playmakers Repertory Company. Internationally, she has designed in Switzerland, South Africa, Cuba and Brazil. As a scholar, she is the editor of seven anthologies focusing on women both nationally and internationally. She is a senior editor of the Routledge Companion to African American Theatre and Performance. Kathy is the recipient of numerous research and design awards, including Ford Foundation, Fulbright, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Henry Hewes Design Award and an NAACP Image Award. She received the 2019 ATHE Career Achievement in Academic Theatre, the 2021 United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) Distinguished Achievement Award for both Education and Lighting Design. In 2007 she was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Ameri-
Creative Team
can Theatre. She received her BFA from Howard University and her M.F.A. from the University of Michigan Kathy is faculty Emerita at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Margarette Joyner
Costume Designer
Margarette is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She earned her MFA from VCU, and received her undergraduate degree from USA in Mobile, AL. She taught theatre and was academic advisor at the university level for 6 years at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA where she also founded The Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company and served as the Executive Director for 12 years. She recently created a set of 12 historical garments that have been in exhibition across the country for the past year. Her play, MESSAGE FROM AN ANCESTOR has been published with a release date in February, through Pecan Tree Publishing. She is a Director, Actress, Poet, Singer, and Costume Designer. Yet of all these accomplishments, her greatest is to have raised a daughter who is a loving human being and her best friend. Says Joyner of her talents, “I am humbled by the fact that God has chosen me to represent His work in so many ways.”
Lindsay Putnam
Sound Designer
Lindsay is a sound designer and educator who has designed an assortment of works including award-winning escape rooms, musicals, plays, and podcasts. She has worked at a variety of venues including Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Disneyland, The Den Theatre, Stockton Theatre Project, Ground & Field Festival, Pegasus PlayLab, Dr. Phillips Center, South Coast Repertory, PCPA, Solvang Festival Theatre, The Escape Ventures, and many online streaming platforms. She is the Publication Coordinator for the USITT Sound Commission and has been a member for IATSE Local 504 since 2014. Her prior teaching experience includes the University of Central Florida and the Pacific Conservatory Theatre and she is currently an Assistant Professor of Sound Design at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Camille Everett
Assistant Sound Designer
Camille Everett is currently the Sound System Engineer of Cirque Du Soleil Affiliate Show Division, working on shows like Paw Patrol Live!, Baby Shark, and Cirque Dreams holidays. As a grad-
Creative Team
uate from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, her passion in audio and theatrical sound has been a part of her for a long time. Camille believes that audio brings a story to life and helps audiences to connect on a level they might not even be aware of. This drives her passion and dedication to the arts.
Zavier Augustus Lee Taylor Projection Designer
Zavier is a multimedia artist and designer with a focus on interactive and impactful video design for live performance. His work has seen stages at The Apollo Theater, The National Black Theatre, The Guthrie, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre (NYC), Round House Theatre, GEVA Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Theater J, The Classical Theater of Harlem, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre, Baltimore Centerstage, People’s Light, Keegan Theatre, Studio Theatre, Mosaic Theater, Hamilton college, Playmakers Repertory Company, the Chelsea Factory, The Clarice, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Olney Theater, Dance Place (DC), and the Strathmore Music Center. Learn more about Zavier’s work: #ZALTproductions
YouTube: @zaltproductions
Instagram: @zaltslaw https://zavier.myportfolio.com
Kelly Starling Lyons Book Author
Kelly grew up attending children’s theater with her mom and brother Kevin. It’s a dream come true to have a play inspired by one of her books. Kelly is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a teaching artist, and an award-winning author of more than 30 books for young readers. Among her acclaimed picture books are Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Bank Street Best selection Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations and Christopher Award winner Tiara’s Hat Parade, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell. She regularly presents to schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences around the country. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.
Next Up in March
Caleb Sigmon’s Theatre of Illusion
Mar 15-16, 2025
McColl Family Theatre
For all ages
Breach of Peace: The Freedom Riders of 1961
Mar 22-30, 2025
Wells Fargo Playhouse
For ages 7+
Staff & Board of Directors
CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE
LEADERSHIP
Artistic Director - Adam Burke
Managing Director - Nao Tsurumaki
Administration
Human Resources Manager - Carolyn Lugo-Allred
Business Manager - Alex Doxey
Senior Accountant - Crystal Johnson
ImaginOn Partnership Coordinator - Maryann O’Keeffe
ImaginOn Administrative Support - Casey Kaufmann
Artistic & Production
Director of Production - Steven Levine
Artistic & Community Relations Fellow - Alicia Tafoya
Costume Shop Manager - Anna Klinger
Cutter/Draper - Emily Heilig
Crafts Specialist - Elizabeth Swanson
Technical Director - Andrew Gibbon
Assistant Technical Director - Shane Burgett
Resident Stage Manager - Steven James
Resident Stage Manager/Production Assistant - Brandi Gaeta
Charge Scenic Artist - Tim Parati
Master Carpenter - John Slechta
Head Electrician - Larry Csernik
Assistant Electrican - Amber Bidwell
AV Supervisor - MIchael Russo
Properties Manager - Rebecca Xhajanka
Props Carpenter/Deck Chief - Sterling Lett
Scenic Carpenter - Maddie Anthony
Sound Assistant - Maddi Penn
Production Assistant - Katie Kinser
Education
Director of Education - EG Engle
Camps & Community Programs Manager - Mary Katherine Smith
Education Program Manager - Morgan Southard
Resident Teaching Artists - Karen Steele & Breana Venablé
Development
Director of Development – Emily J. Chuma
Institutional Giving Manager - Amanda Ayers
Special Events & Volunteer Manager - Cassandra Wiselka
Development Coordinator - Jean Edwards
Marketing and Communications
Director of Marketing & Communications - Cindy Taylor
Associate Director of Marketing - Rob Odum
Customer Experience Manager - Ashley Hughes
PR & Social Media Mananger – Alex Aguilar
Touring Performance Coordinator - Margot Parrott
School Group Sales & Performance Coordinator - Chris Stonnell
Data & IT Manager - Claire Whitworth-Helm
Audience Service Coordinator - Louise Lawson
Marketing Assistant - Aaron Bunzey
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sallie Beason - Chair
Lisa Miller - Chair-Elect
Stephanie Isham - Treasurer
Nichelle Weintraub - Secretary
Mitchell Kelling - Past Chair
Cynthia Banks
Dr. Veronica Bell
Mary Alice Boyd
Mike Burgess
Stephanie Couch
Caryn Craige
Charlitta Hatch
Leigh Hickman
Ben Hume
Tim James
Brian Litwak
Mitzi Lynch
Jennifer Madara
Scott Manning
Rosemary Morgan
Maddie Myers
Katie Ramseur
Eric Ritz
Michael Tarwater, Jr.
Tanya Taylor
Kristin Tokić
April Whitlock
Honorary Lifetime Members
Robin Branstrom
Carla DuPuy
Peter Flur
Cynthia Lank
Linda Lockman-Brooks
Advisory Board
Robin Branstrom
Tom Eiselt
Jami Farris
Peter Flur
Gina Lawrence
Our Supporters
EXECUTIVE PRODUCING PARTNERS
($50,000 and more)
Bank of America
North Carolina Arts Council
PNC Foundation
C.D. Spangler Foundation, Inc.
The Shubert Foundation
PRODUCING PARTNERS
($25,000 to $49,999)
First Horizon
DIRECTING PARTNERS
($10,000 to $24,999)
Autism Strong Foundation
Clear Blue Insurance Group
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Cornwell Foundation
Paige Johnston Thomas Giving Tree
SPX Corporation
Triad Foundation
STANDING OVATION PARTNERS
($5,000 to $9,999)
Carolina Panthers
The Daniel, Edward, Cora & Strickland Foundation
The Dickson Foundation, Inc.
LendingTree
Parker Poe
Publix Super Markets Charities
South Arts
CENTER STAGE PARTNERS
($3,000 to $4,999)
Deloitte & Touche LLP
LEADING ROLE PARTNER
($1,000 to $2,999)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Our Supporters cont’d
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS
We recognize and thank our generous donors who gave as of February 14, 2025. Our annual donors are recognized at the most current giving level.
LEADING PLAYERS SOCIETY
($10,000 - $24,999)
Dorlisa & Peter Flur
Mitchell Kelling
Linda Reynolds
Tammy Stringer & Richard Viola
($5,000 - $9,999)
Omid & Julie Ahdieh
Dr. Daniel Donner
Andrew & Stephanie Fulford
Lise Hain
David Holland
Bruce & Anita LaRowe
Brian Litwak
Jennifer & Eric Madara
Ann & Scott Manning
Arrington Mixon
Rosemary Morgan & Fielding Huseth
Brian & Laura Murdock
Sandy & Greg Vlahos
April & Thomas Whitlock
($3,000 - $4,999)
Mike & Katie Burgess
Herb & Gina Clegg
Rob & Caryn Craige
Davant Family Charitable Trust
David & Marti Head
Pat Burgess & Joan Martin
Ken & Lisa Miller
Maddie & Brian Myers
Stephen & Stephanie Sorenson
Lauren & William Voorhees
Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub
Judith & Matthew Whelan
($1,000 - $2,999)
Stephen Allred & Carolyn Lugo-Allred
Cynthia Banks
Sallie & Gary Beason
Veronica Bell
Robin & Bill Branstrom
Susan & Richard Buckley
Craig & Mary Bunzey
Julie & Stoke Caldwell
Stephanie Couch
Mary Coyle
Amy & Alfred Dawson
Elizabeth Devenney
Tom & Julie Eiselt
Dr. Gloria Ann Evans
Christi Farr
Beth & Gaston Gage
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gonzalez
Watts & Carol Hamrick
Charlitta Hatch
Lisa & Mark Hedrick
Scott & Claire Helm
Leigh Hickman
Ryan & Danielle Hutcheson
Timothy James
Ashley & Matthew Joseph
Cole Kissam in memory of Talia Petoia
Andrew Kott
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald W. Lamberth
Craig & Mitzi Lynch
Michael & Leslie Marsicano
Seah & Robert McCammon
Valecia McDowell
Gary Monie
Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve
Anna & Tom Nelson
John & Suzy Nurkin
Katie Ramseur
Allison Rauch
Eric Ritz
Jay Thomas
Kristin Tokic
Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn
Rosa Maria Vega
Jodi Warner
John & Carrie Woolley
Our Supporters cont’d
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS
We recognize and thank our generous donors who gave as of February 14, 2025. Our annual donors are recognized at the most current giving level.
SUPPORTING PLAYERS SOCIETY
($500 - $999)
Sylvia Bartee
Dallas & Kathy Craven
Brian & Jean Edwards
John & Mara Gose
Brad & Karen Harris
Steve & Mary Hunting
Stepanie Isham
Laurie Johnston
Soli Kennerly
Caroline Knight
Mrs. Catherine Lecompte
Louis Leone
Lynn Manock
Saumya Mehta
Amy Merino
Daniel Merlin
Ron & Janet Meyer
Elizabeth Murphy
Eileen Manlove O’Brien
Sarah Pollock
Michael and Denise Shields
Nedra Tawwab
Cindy & Rob Taylor
Tanya Taylor
Ina Whitley-DeRochi
Volunteer with Us
Be a part of the wonder. Volunteers help in many areas across the Theatre from Production to Education to Development to Outreach.
Opportunities like...
• Ushering public performances and school shows
• Delivering thousands of holiday gifts to Charlotte children through The Winter Wonderland Shop
• Inventorying costumes with our Production team
• Checking in guests at Celebrate!, our annual gala
• Selling concessions during OnStage weekend with our Education team
JOIN US