Wells Fargo Playhouse November 4-19, 2023
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TITLE PAGE
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THE 2023-24 SEASON
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SHOW SPONSORS
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FOR THIS PRODUCTION
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BEHIND THE SCENES
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CAST
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CREATIVE TEAM
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STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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OUR SUPPORTERS
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EDUCATION PROGRAMS
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ENCORE! VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
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SAVE THE DATE - UPCOMING EVENTS
Links
The cast and crew get their crowns ready. Photo by Paige Hernandez.
FACEBOOK.COM/CTCHARLOTTE INSTAGRAM.COM/CTCHARLOTTENC TWITTER.COM/CTCHARLOTTE YOUTUBE.COM/CTCHARLOTTE
By Paige Hernandez Original Music Composed & Arranged By Kris Funn & Paige Hernandez Based On Life Doesn't Frighten Me From The Book "And Still I Rise" By Maya Angelou Copyright © 1978 By Maya Angelou | Used With Permission Of Caged Bird Legacy, LLC
Director/Choreographer Paige Hernandez Composer Kristopher Funn Stage Manager Hazel Doherty Scenic Designer Andrew R. Cohen Lighting Designer Matt Benes Projections Designer Brittany Merenda Co-Sound Designers Mike Cooprider & Christy Hernandez Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer Zach Kloppenborg Assistant Costume Designer Jocelyn Reed
Run time approximately 70 minutes Videotaping, photography and other recording of this production is prohibited. 4
The 2023-24 Season
BALLOONACY Aug 23-31, 2023
NARNIA THE MUSICAL Sept 22 - Oct 22, 2023
TIRED SOULS: THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT Oct 7-8, 2023
LIFE DOESN’T FRIGHTEN ME Nov 4-19, 2023
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL Nov 17 - Dec 22, 2023
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! Jan 13-28, 2024
PINOCCHIO Feb 3-18, 2024
CATCHING THE MOON: THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL’S BASEBALL DREAM Mar 9-24, 2024
DJEMBE FIRE! Mar 9, 2024
DANNY, KING OF THE BASEMENT Apr 20-28, 2024
ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!" Apr 13 - May 5, 2024
PIGS IS PIGS May 29 - June 9, 2024
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The 2023-24 Season Today’s celebration is brought to life, in part, by: Rosa Maria Vega April & Thomas Whitlock National Endowment for the Arts Clear Blue Insurance Group The Hensley Family Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
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For This Production Deck Chief....................................................................................................................Vincent Moody Wardrobe Supervisor.....................................................................................................Alyssa Whiting Electricians........................................................................Amber Bidwell, Maddi Penn, Sidney Bing Sound Mixer...................................................................................................................Neifert Enrique
Photos courtesy of The Rose Theater
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Behind the Scenes Andrew Cohen’s scenic design and Brittany Merenda’s projections set the stage for the hip-hop infused story based on the poetry of Maya Angelou.
The actors on stage for the production at The Rose Theater in Omaha, NE.
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Did You Know? The inspiration for the play came from the poem by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Shadows on the wall Noises down the hall Life doesn’t frighten me at all Bad dogs barking loud Big ghosts in a cloud Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Read the Poem
Mean old Mother Goose Lions on the loose They don’t frighten me at all Dragons breathing flame On my counterpane That doesn’t frighten me at all Photo courtesy of Stephen Parker I Alamy Stock Photo
Director and Choreographer Paige Hernandez was co-commissioned to create this new work by four theater companies: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (NC), Children’s Theater of Madison (WI), Dallas Children’s Theater (TX), and The Rose (NE).
The project began in early 2022 with Hernandez conducting workshops in each city. She used this time to understand the similarities and differences of children from different parts of the country, as they responded to the same artistic stimulus. From the workshops, Hernandez culled and adapted that material to create the play itself. Visual art, music, dance, spoken word, and other artistic forms were incorporated into the final product.
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Meet the Cast
LYDIA DANIELLE WILLIAMSON
One
Lydia Danielle, raised in Wadesboro 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. She’s then been thrilled to begin her children’s theatre experience as “Peter” in SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Now, extremely grateful to grace 1 of 4 stages premiering LIFE DOESN’T FRIGHTEN ME during her 10 year professional career anniversary.
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Cast Cont’d
LEO MERRICK
Two
Leo is a New York-based actor, director, and writer specializing in Shakespeare and new works. He trained at Northwestern University and the British American Drama Academy. His recent theatrical credits include playing Ferdinand in THE TEMPEST (Arachne Theater) and directing MACBETH at The Flea Theater in New York. He helped to launch Grass Studio Theatre in the summer of 2020, and is a founding member of the sketch comedy group Pre-Haste Authority. He is honored and excited to make his Rose premiere.
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Meet the Cast
LAKEETHA BLAKENEY
Three
Lakeetha is an actress, playwright, director, and author from Concord North Carolina. She received her BA in Theatre and African American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her MA in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Her debut children’s book Princess Fearless, adapted into a stage play of the same name made its Midwestern debut this past September. She is the inaugural recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship, making her directorial debut at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte with DANNY, KING OF THE BASEMENT. Other theatrical credits include directing MATILDA (Lycoming College) and MATILDA JR. (Matthews Playhouse). She is very grateful to work with this cast and director. She is so excited to be back home at CTC.
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Cast Cont’d
RON LEE MCGILL
Four
Ron is an Actor, Writer, Musician, Comic, and Graphic Artist born and raised in Durham, NC. Ron was formally taught the dramatic arts as a graduate of Hillside High School’s Theater program under the guidance of Mr. Wendell Tabb and earned his bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and Production at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ron’s stage and television credits include: MEALS ON WHEELS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN, GREY’S ANATOMY, FATAL ATTRACTION, “JUST LISTEN”: WHAT MEN DON’T SAY VOL.2, and THE MIRACULOUS AND MUNDANE. Ron can currently be seen touring the nation with his Co-created production of GRIMMZ FAIRY TALES with Experiential Theater. Ron is very blessed to be a part of this world premiere and thanks all those involved at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.
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Meet the Creative Team Paige Hernandez (Director/Choreographer) 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. Kristopher Funn (Composer) is a critically acclaimed, award winning double bassist 14
from Baltimore, Maryland. A graduate of Howard University, Kris has played at every major jazz festival in the world, spanning two decades and touching on six continents. Kris has performed with some of the biggest artists in jazz including Christian Scott, Joey Alexander, Sean Jones, Kamasi Washington, Benny Golson and many more. Kristopher appears on several Grammy nominated albums but is most proud of his award-winning debut album, Cornerstore. He is currently a part of the jazz faculty at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Andrew R. Cohen (Scenic Designer) Selected credits include: RED RIDING HOOD at Arden Theatre Company; MURDER BALLAD at Studio Theatre (Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Outstanding Set Design); KING JOHN at Folger Theatre; THE CRUCIBLE at Olney Theatre Center; THE WANDERERS at Theater J. Earthrise at The Kennedy Center TYA; MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS at Imagination Stage, THE TILL TRILOGY and EUREKA DAY at Mosaic Theater Company. FLYIN’ WEST at Everyman Theatre; IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY at Studio Tenn; THE PIANO LESSON at Le Petit Theatre. Andrew received his MFA in Scenic Design from University of Maryland, and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. www.andrewcohendesigns.com Matt Benes (Lighting Designer) is the Resident Lighting Designer at the Rose Theater in Omaha, NE. He is thrilled to
Creative Team Continued continue watching this project develop and grow across the collaborating venues. Matt’s recent projects include the world premier production of LIFE DOESN’T FRIGHTEN ME (CTC, Rose Theater- Omaha, NE), as well as GRAPES OF WRATH (Arts Asylum- KCMO), DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Rose Theater- Omaha NE) and CELEBRATE BROADWAY (Crane River TheaterKearney, NE). Brittany Merenda (Projections Designer) is an award-winning projection designer working in theatre, opera and dance throughout the country. Favorite designs include ELF, THE MUSICAL (Beck Center for the Arts), NEWSIES, SPONGEBOB and MATILDA, (The Rose Theater), MAGIC FLUTE and LA BOHÈME (Jacksonville Symphony, Cleveland Opera Theatre), COME HOME GALA (The Washington National Opera), MACBETH (Opera Tampa), CARMEN (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival), and TOSCA (Opera Grand Rapids). Brittany received her Masters of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida.
Photo courtesy of The Rose Theater
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Staff & Board of Directors CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE
LEADERSHIP Artistic Director - Adam Burke
School Group Sales & Performance Coordinator - Chris Stonnell
Managing Director - Nao Tsurumaki
IT Manager - Claire Whitworth-Helm
Administration
Marketing Assistant - Aaron Bunzey
Human Resources Manager - Carolyn Lugo-Allred Business Manager - Alex Doxey Senior Accountant - Crystal Johnson ImaginOn Partnership Coordinator - Maryann O’Keeffe
Audience Service Coordinator - Louise Lawson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mitchell Kelling - Chair Sallie Beason - Chair-Elect
ImaginOn Administrative Support - Casey Kaufmann
Stephanie Isham - Treasurer
Artistic & Production
Cynthia Banks
Director of Production - Steven Levine Artistic & Community Relations Fellow - Alicia Tafoya Costume Shop Manager - Anna Klinger Resident Designer & Crafts Specialist - Magda Guichard Cutter/Draper - Emily Heilig Technical Director - Andrew Gibbon Resident Stage Manager - Steven James Resident Sound Designer/AV Supervisor - Tyler Knowles Charge Scenic Artist - Tim Parati Master Carpenter - John Slechta Deck Chief/House Carpenter - Shane Burgett Properties Manager - Cassie Ward Properties Assistant - Felix Thompson Resident Lighting Designer/Master Electrician - Robyn Warfield Assistant Electrician - Amber Bidwell Education Director of Education - EG Engle Camps & Community Programs Manager - Mary Katherine Smith Education Operations & Administrative Manager - Cat Koski Resident Teaching Artists - Karen Steele & Breana Venablé Education Assistant - Katie Kinser Development Director of Development – Emily J. Chuma
Maddie Myers - Secretary Veronica Bell Mary Alice Boyd Mike Burgess Stephanie Couch Caryn Craige Charlitta Hatch Leigh Hickman Ben Hume Tim James Rebecca Lindahl Brian Litwak Mitzi Lynch Jennifer Madara Scott Manning Salem McMullan Lisa Miller Rosemary Morgan Mallory Navin Michael Tarwater, Jr. Kristin Tokić Rosa Vega-Vazquez Nichelle Weintraub Judith Whelan April Whitlock
Associate Director of Development - Scott Tynes-Miller Special Events & Individual Giving Manager - Mattie Kearse
Honorary Lifetime Members
Advisory Board
Robin Branstrom
Robin Branstrom
Carla DuPuy
Marketing and Communications
Tom Eiselt
Peter Flur
Jami Farris
Director of Marketing & Communications - Cindy Taylor
Cynthia Lank
Peter Flur
Associate Director of Marketing - Rob Odum
Linda Lockman-Brooks
Gina Lawrence
Development Coordinator - Jean Edwards Touring Coordinator, Front & Center Series - Madia Medico
Customer Experience Manager - Ashley Hughes PR & Social Media Mananger – Alex Aguilar
ENCORE! President
Touring Performance Coordinator - Margot Parrott
Sandy Vlahos
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Charlotte Latin’s Middle School Spring 2023 production of Disney’s Newsies, Jr. included a cast and crew of more than 50 students.
Charlotte Latin School is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational, college-preparatory day school for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12.
9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277
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Our Supporters EXECUTIVE PRODUCING PARTNERS ($50,000 and more)
LEADING ROLE PARTNER ($1,000 to $2,999)
Bank of America North Carolina Arts Council PNC Foundation The Shubert Foundation The Infusion Fund and its generous donors
Blue Cross Blue Shield Dickens-Mitchener & Associates
PRODUCING PARTNERS ($25,000 to $49,999) C.D. Spangler Foundation, Inc. First Horizon National Endowment for the Arts DIRECTING PARTNERS ($10,000 to $24,999) Autism Strong Foundation Clear Blue Insurance Group Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. Cornwell Foundation Paige Johnston Thomas Giving Tree SPX Corporation Triad Foundation STANDING OVATION PARTNERS ($5,000 to $9,999) Carolina Panthers The Dickson Foundation, Inc. LendingTree Offit Kurman Parker Poe Publix Super Markets Charities South Arts Wells Fargo CENTER STAGE PARTNERS ($3,000 to $4,999) The Daniel, Edward, Cora & Strickland Foundation Deloitte & Touche LLP Gerrard Builders QRCA Social Venture Partners
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Our Supporters cont’d INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS
We recognize and thank our generous donors who gave as of October 20, 2023. Our annual donors are recognized at the most current giving level. LEADING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($10,000 - $24,999) Dorlisa & Peter Flur Mitchell Kelling Tammy Stringer & Richard Viola ($5,000 - $9,999) Omid & Julie Ahdieh Dr. Daniel Donner Travis & Lise Hain The Hensley Family David Holland Bruce & Anita LaRowe Brian Litwak Jennifer & Eric Madara Ann & Scott Manning Brian & Laura Murdock Jennifer & Jack Ross April & Thomas Whitlock ($3,000 - $4,999) Herb & Gina Clegg Rob & Caryn Craige Stephanie Couch John & Nancy Dickson Ben & Christy Hume LaKeisha & William Jefferson Pat Burgess & Joan Martin Heather & Scott McAllister Ken & Lisa Miller Rosemary Morgan & Fielding Huseth Maddie & Brian Myers Stacia & Charlie Neugent Stephen & Stephanie Sorenson Erik & Amelia Peterson Kristin Tokic Rosa Maria Vega Sandy & Greg Vlahos Lauren & William Voorhees Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub Judith & Matthew Whelan
($1,000 - $2,999) Stephen & Carolyn Allred Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Babcock Sallie & Gary Beason Veronica Bell Robin & Bill Branstrom Susan & Richard Buckley Craig & Mary Bunzey Mike & Katie Burgess Julie & Stoke Caldwell Zoe & Lewis Chandry Spencer Clair & Chris Loyd Amy & Alfred Dawson Tom & Julie Eiselt Bryan & Jami Farris Beth & Gaston Gage Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gonzalez Watts & Carol Hamrick Brad & Karen Harris Scott & Claire Helm Anne Henderson* Lesley Herrera Leigh Hickman Ryan & Danielle Hutcheson Tonya Jesso Laurie Johnston* Jeff & Deborah Long, In Honor of Miss Penelope Long Bruce & Michelle Long Salem & Sean McMullan Gary Monie Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve Anna & Tom Nelson John & Suzy Nurkin Linda Reynolds Ed & Tari Schutzman Janet & Joshua Smith Michael Tarwater Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn Laura & Brian Walger Katie & Jason Weeks
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Our Supporters cont’d SUPPORTING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($500 - $999) Dora Abraham Sylvia Bartee The Staub Family Marian Clark Veruska & Julio Colmenares Rachel & Michael Coyne Dallas & Kathy Craven Ina DeRochi Bryan & Jamie Gerrard John & Mara Gose Sally & Drew Harriss Soraja Helac Mr. Frank Hruby & Mrs. Tatyana Rector Kate Land Cynthia & Dave Lank Catherine LeCompte Louis Leone Craig & Mitzi Lynch Michele & Steve Mangan Seah & Robert McCammon Jennie McGuire Megan McKeever Renee Miller Elizabeth Murphy Jerry & Cookie Parnell Christian & Denise Pineno Allison & Thad Reece Benjamin & Rebecca Schultz Kindra Shah Carrie & J.T. Teixeira Robert & Leslie Tesch Cindy & Rob Taylor Brandon Williams *Indicates those who support the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship.
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Our Supporters cont’d Children’s Theatre of Charlotte receives support from the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation for The Carolinas and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector. Contributors to the fund include:
Multimillion Dollar Commitment City of Charlotte $1.5 million and above Bank of America C.D. Spangler Foundation / National Gypsum Company John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Trane Technologies $600,000 - $1 million Albemarle Foundation Atrium Health Barings Duke Energy Honeywell JELD-WEN, Inc. LendingTree Foundation Lowe’s Companies, Inc. Novant Health Red Ventures Truist
Up to $300,000
Fifth Third Bank Foundation For The Carolinas Deidre and Clay Grubb Leslie and Michael Marsicano Jane and Hugh McColl Nucor Corporation PNC Bank Premier, Inc. Jane and Nelson Schwab
$300,000-$600,000 Ally Financial The Centene Charitable Foundation Childress Klein Properties Coca-Cola Consolidated Deloitte EY The Gambrell Foundation Moore & Van Allen PwC Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. Rodgers Builders Wells Fargo 21
Classes and Camps
AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers a wide variety of classes and camps for your family. Through our education programs, your child will build confidence, develop speaking, leadership and problemsolving skills, appreciate collaborating as a team member and value the feeling of commitment and accomplishment. Creative Drama (Ages 2 through 9) School of Theatre Training (4th through 12th Grade) Dance Classes (5th through 12th Grade) Supplemental Training (4th to 12th Grade)
LEARN MORE
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ENCORE! Our Volunteer Community Be a part of the wonder. Volunteers help in many areas across the Theatre from Production to Education to Development to Outreach.
JOIN US
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Save the Date
Exciting events at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte THE WINTER WONDERLAND SHOP Thurs, Nov 30 - Sat, Dec 2, 2023
Spread cheer as children shop for pre-wrapped gifts at low-cost to give to their loved ones. This is a free event open to the public.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! ADULT NIGHT Sat, Jan 13, 2024
Grab your (adult) friends and get ready to rock! Join us for lite bites and drinks followed by an evening performance of the hit musical. This is a ticketed event.
CELEBRATE! WITH YOUR VALENTINE Sat, Feb 10, 2024
Join us for a fun night out at ImaginOn as we come together during our annual fundraiser. This is a ticketed event.
POETRY OUT LOUD Sat, Feb 24, 2024
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As the NC partner, we’re proud to host high school students for this statewide recitation contest. This is a free event open to the public.
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A scene from Pigs is Pigs
ORDER ONLINE ctcharlotte.org NEED HELP? CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE. boxoffice@ctcharlotte.org I 704-973-2828 (Mon-Fri, 12-5 PM)
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TICKETS ON SALE NOW! WWW.CHARLOTTEYOUTHBALLET.ORG DECEMBER 1ST, 2ND, & 3RD 2023