2023-24 season Catching the Moon

Wells Fargo Playhouse

March 9-24, 2024

Photo by Alex Aguilar

Book and Lyrics by Nichole Jackson

Music and Lyrics by Tyrone L. Robinson

Adapted from the Book by Crystal Hubbard

Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream.

Text copyright © 2005 by Crystal Hubbard.

Illustrations copyright © 2005 by Randy DuBurke.

Permission arranged with Lee & Low Books inc., New York, NY 10016.

All rights reserved. Learn more at leeandlow.com

Originally commissioned and first produced by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, Adam Burke, Artistic Director, and Nao Tsurumaki, Managing Director

Additionally developed by the South Carolina New Play Festival

Director James Webb

Assistant Director Holly Nañes

Choreographer Tod A. Kubo

Music Director/Arranger/Orchestrator Bill Congdon

Scenic Designer Ruben Arana-Downs

Costume Designer Kristy Leigh Hall*

Sound Designer Tyler Knowles

Lighting Designer David Carr

* Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829

Run time approximately 70 minutes

Videotaping, photography and other recording of this production is prohibited.

The Season 2023-24

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

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

DJEMBE FIRE! Mar 9, 2024

The Season 2023-24

Today’s celebration is brought to life, in part, by:

Ben and Christy Hume

Andrew and Stephanie Fulford

Stephen and Stephanie Sorensen

Deloitte and Touché LLP

A very special thanks to Dorlisa, Arella, and Peter Flur for their generosity and support of The Kindness Project, an initiative rooted in creating plays like this one for young audiences that are grounded in actively displaying kindness towards each other.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors. This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

MAKING THEATRE MAGIC...

All of the elements of the show from set design to costume design, lighting, props and sound, are created at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte by a talented team of artists.

Together, we bring stories like this one to life through the magic of theatre.

SET DESIGN

Ruben Arana-Downs sets the mood for this jazzy musical. The deck of the stage is lined with painted carpet to give the feel of dirt but to also give the actors’ shoes grip while they perform athletic baseball movements and choreography across the stage.

COSTUME DESIGN

Costume Designer Kristy Leigh Hall’s designs capture the 1930s, the timeframe in which the story takes place, and bring some fun to elements like Marcenia’s “uniform” of bright, floral patterns.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES REHEARSAL

Members of the creative team and cast work together on lines, blocking, choreography, and musical numbers to bring the show to life. The actors even visited batting cages to work alongside professionals to learn batting techniques and skills.

Photos by Alex Aguilar

Photos by Alex Aguilar

CAST

Cast & Creative Team

Kayla Simone Ferguson............................................................................................Marcenia

Stephan JoQuan Wilson................................................................................................Harold

Griffin Digsby..............................................................................................................Clarence

Janeta Jackson Lynn.........................................................................................Moon/Mama

Zach Humphrey.................................................................................................................Dad

Rob Addison..............................................................................................................Mr. Street

Brandon J Johns....................................................................................................Male Swing

CREATIVE TEAM

Book and Lyrics.............................................................................................Nichole Jackson

Music and Lyrics.........................................................................................Tyrone L. Robinson

Director................................................................................................................James Webb

Assistant Director...................................................................................................Holly Nañes

Choreographer....................................................................................................Tod A. Kubo

Music Director/Arranger/Orchestrator.............................................................Bill Congdon

Scenic Designer.....................................................................................Ruben Arana-Downs

Costume Designer..........................................................................................Kristy Leigh Hall

Sound Designer...................................................................................................Tyler Knowles

Lighting Designer....................................................................................................David Carr

FOR THIS PRODUCTION

Stage Manager.............................................................................................Kathryn Hamlett

Deck Chief.............................................................................................................Josh Lucero

Run Crew...........................................................................................................Landon Peeler

Wardrobe Supervisor..........................................................................................Loren Moody

Wardrobe Crew...........................................................................................Summer Schroter

Stitcher..............................................................................................................Emily McCurdy

Carpenters..............................................................................Mandy Peeler, Landon Peeler

Lead Electrician............................................................................................Brandy Brogden

Electricians.........................................................Sydney Bing, Josh Lucero, Landon Peeler, Melissa Mendez, Victory Johnston

Lightboard Operator............................................................................................Sydney Bing

Sound Mixer..........................................................................................................Maddi Penn

Prop Assistants........................................................................Ansley Juan and Derek Helsel

SPECIAL THANKS

Shawnna Pledger, D-Bat Huntersville

Musical Numbers

1. A Dream……………………………………………….…..........................................Company, Moon

2. Who’s the Best?……………………………………….............................................Clarence, Harold

3. Is There Anything Better Than Baseball?….....................................Marcenia, Clarence, Harold

4. Gabby Street: Baseball Extraordinaire………................................Clarence, Harold, Marcenia

4A. Practice at Dawn……………………………………........................................................Marcenia

4B. Don’t Forget Your Glove…………………………............................Clarence, Harold, Marcenia

5. Suit Song…………………………………………………........................................................Marcenia

6. The Show………………………………………………….....................................Mr. Street, Marcenia

7. Play Like A Girl………………………………………….........................................................Marcenia

8. Catching the Moon……………………………………........................Moon, Marcenia, Ensemble

9. The Game…………………………………………………......................Harold, Clarence, Mr. Street

10. Stealing Home………………………………………….......................................................Marcenia

11. Fadeaway Slide…………………………......Marcenia, Harold, Clarence

12. Quittin' the Game Blues…….......Marcenia

13. Trailblazer…………...........Moon, Marcenia, Company

14. Cleats/Practice at Dawn (Reprise)…....... Marcenia

15. Don’t Forget to Be………...............Mama, Marcenia, Harold, Clarence

16. Finale………….............................Company

The Kindness Project is an initiative Children’s Theatre of Charlotte launched in 2017 to develop and commission original plays for young audiences that are grounded in actively displaying kindness toward others.

We’ve invested in this project because we recognize the power simple acts of kindness hold. And we did this for one simple reason: to spread kindness wherever we can and to encourage children to act kindly toward others.

To date, four world-premiere plays have delighted and inspired audiences with stories of kindness.

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE

THE INVISIBLE BOY

TROPICAL SECRETS: HOLOCAUST REFUGEES IN CUBA

Members of the cast and creative team celebrate with Dorlisa and Peter Flur, longtime supporters of The Kindness Project.

Spreading Kindness

Director James Webb shares a touching story about a teacher whose gesture of kindness forever changed his life.

Meet the Cast

Kayla Simone Ferguson (Marcenia) is excited to return to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte stage! Previous credits include NARNIA THE MUSICAL, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL, THE INVISIBLE BOY, ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION, and DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! Enjoy the show!!

Stephan JoQuan Wilson (Harold) is excited to be making his Children Theatre of Charlotte debut! He’s a proud product of Flint, Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Central Michigan University, Fire Up Chips! His regional credits include Drifter in Beautiful: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (Aurora Theatre), Adam in THE COLOR PURPLE (City Springs Theatre Company), Ziggy in BOB MARLEY’S THREE LITTLE BIRDS (Synchronicity Theatre), Frog in A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Cardinal Stage), and Sky Square in POLKADOTS: THE COOL KIDS MUSICAL (Festival 56). He would like to thank his mentors, friends, and family for their love and support as he continues to follow his dreams.

Follow his journey on instagram @stephanw921.

Griffin Digsby (Clarence) This is Griffin’s fourth season with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He’s played many funroles that you may recognize, such as Mr. Pugh in ANNIE, or Jay-K in ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION last season. He also made appearances this season in NARNIA THE MUSICAL (Father Christmas).

Janeta Jackson

Lynn (Moon/Mama) is delighted to reintroduce herself in a long-awaited return to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte! With a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Florida International University, Janeta has performed worldwide, before settling in the Queen City. Some of her favorite local show credits include, SISTER ACT (Deloris Van Cartier), BEEHIVE: THE 60’S MUSICAL (Jasmine), THE BEST CHIRSTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL (Church Lady). She’s made her way around the Carolinas working with Cape Fear Regional Theatre,

Meet the Cast

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Temple Theatre and even Carowinds, but she is best recognized for her portrayal of the title role in the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte production of DISNEY AND CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S MARY POPPINS, for which she earned a Broadway World Award as Best Actress in a Musical. When she’s not on stage, Janeta enjoys spending time with family, serving in ministry, directing productions and finding new creative outlets. Janeta would like to dedicate this performance to her 2-year-old daughter. “Mommy hopes you reach far beyond the stars and the moon to follow your dreams.” Follow Janeta’s journey on Instagram @janetasvoice.

Zach Humphrey (Papa Lyle) For over 15 years, Zach Humphrey has performed in numerous television, film, and stage productions, including the award-winning television series Atlanta. As the son of a playwright, Zach always knew acting was his passion and was truly committed to the arts. He honed his skills at the Terry Knickerbocker Acting Studio in New York and Film Actors Studio of Charlotte. Zach has graced audiences with amazing theater performances in ANNE FRANK and CHRISTMAS SPIRITS,

for which he received an MTA nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Rob Addison (Mr. Street) is beyond overjoyed to finally be working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He was last seen in Shepard Shakespeare’s production of AS YOU LIKE IT (Adam/Fredrick/Jaques). In multiple seasons with Actors Theatre of Charlotte he was seen in SILENCE: THE MUSICAL (Dr. Lecter), FUN HOME (Bruce), THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (Ed), THE 39 STEPS (Clown 1) and FLY BY NIGHT (McClam). You have may also have seen him in five seasons at CPCC Summer Theater in NEWSIES (Pulitzer), OLIVER (Fagin), YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Kemp/ Hermit), SPAMALOT (Sir Bedevere et al.) and ANNIE (FDR/Bert Healy) to name a few. A Southern California native, Rob holds an MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory and has performed and directed across the country for over twenty years. In addition to numerous regional performing credits, He is currently the Theatre Arts teacher at Clover High School. He is extremely grateful to his entire family for their love and support.

Meet the Cast

Brandon J Johns (Male Swing) is so happy to be back in the theatre this Autumn after a summer performing at Carowinds. He was last seen at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte as Businessman in DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! Brandon also played Bob in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL and Oliver Warbucks in ANNIE. Other roles at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte include Noodler in PETER PAN, White Dragon in DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, and Big Bad Wolf in SHREK THE MUSICAL. Brandon has done several national tours with Virginia Repertory Theatre, performing in many shows including SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, I HAVE A DREAM, and THE SHOEMAKER AND THE CHRISTMAS ELVES. Some favorite roles include Tonton Julian in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, and Monsieur D’Arque in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Brandon is also a musician, arranger, and composer. Some of his originalmusic and arrangements have been featured at Firehouse Theatre and Cedar Fair’s theme park, King’s Dominion. Brandon sends endless thanks to his mother and brother for their constant support and love. For DLJ.

Creative Team

Nichole Jackson (Book and Lyrics) is a Boston-based playwright, lyricist, and book writer. Her musicals include SWEEPSTAKES, THAT TIME WE FOUND A SASQUATCH IN THE WOODS AKA THE SASQUATCH PROJECT, PAPER BOATS, CALVIN, AND GOOD BUTTER. Her other works include EVERYBODY WINS, and GUS. Her work has been performed at the Prospect Theater Company, the Finger lakes Musical Theatre Festival, the Musical Theatre Factory, and at various cabarets. She holds a BA in Literature from the University of Massachusetts Boston (magna cum laude), and an MFA from the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

Tyrone L. Robinson (Music and Lyrics) is a North Carolina native and proud graduate of NCA&T State University (Aggie Pride!). He’s dreamed of writing a show for CTC for many years, is a recipient of the ASCAP Frederick Loewe Award for theater composing, and his music has been featured at New York’s Public Theater and The Vital Theater (Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination). Tyrone’s musical Show Way, co-written with author Jacqueline Woodson, premiered at The Kennedy Center in 2022 and is currently traveling the country on a national tour. Other recent writing commissions include plays at First Stage Milwaukee, Nashville Children’s Theatre, and TheatreWorks USA. Tyrone’s first film Un{H}armed was an official selection of

several film festivals nationwide, including the New York Shorts, Hudson Shorts, Georgia, Big Muddy, and Harlem International Film Festivals. Tyrone has acted on Broadway and was last seen on stage in the musical Swept Away at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Swept Away features the music of Charlotte’s Avett Brothers and was a huge success at Arena Stage! An alumnus of the legendary BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Workshop in New York, Tyrone earned his M.F.A. degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Thank you Adam and CTC for this opportunity! “Don’t ever, ever, ever give up on your dream.”

James Webb (Director) is a Charlotte-based director, playwright, and educator, whose work is centered on the Black experience. His youth theatre plays include THE HOUSE OF JEAN-RENÉ, STEAM, and WRESTLING WITH ANGELS, a hip-hop musical. His work has been presented at the National Black Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, Kraine Theatre, Essential Theatre, Confrontation Theatre, and NYC’s Producer’s Club. Most recently, Webb was awarded a playwriting fellowship by the Queens City New Play Festival. He is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Davidson College and spends his summers as a resident playwright for the Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre in Tallahassee, Florida.

Creative Team Cont’d

Holly Nañes (Assistant Director) is a multi-disciplinary Latinx artist from SW Texas. She has a MFA in Directing at Texas State University, and received her BA in theater from Smith College. Holly has been working steadily in the theater field for over fifteen years wearing the many hats in the profession onstage and off, creating new works and old. As a Director she gets the opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, tolerance, and inclusivity with the many theater makers in the field. “For me, it’s an opportunity to widen my field of perception of the world through the understanding of different points of view and the many ways we can create work. My goal as a director is to create an inclusive, crazy creative environment where artists aren’t afraid to take risks and make mistakes while working together toward a unified vision.” Some of her recent works include: HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN SON at Common Thread Theater Collective, Screaming Into the Void Theater Festival: FACING THE STORM (2023) and #PANDEMIC DIARIES (2022), MAN OF THE FLESH with Teatro Audaz, MOTHER COURAGE, BLU, LYDIA, BEAUTIFUL MONSTERS (playwright/Director) HOPE IS WANING: LAMENTATIONS FROM SOLITARY at Jump-Start Performance Company, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE HAIKU, a performance art piece (writer/Director) and THE PROMISE (Director) at Palo Alto College, AVALANCHE and CHIMI-

CHANGAS and ZOLOFT with Teatro Audaz. She is a company member and board member at Jump-Start Performance Company in San Antonio, TX where she has performed, written for, and directed on numerous occasions. She would like to thank Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for choosing her as a recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship, I am so excited to work with CTC!

Tod A. Kubo (Choreographer) has choreographed his way across Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas over the last three decades. Tod is excited to be back with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte after previously choreographing ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION, MADAGASCAR: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, and GO DOG, GO!. Regionally, Tod was creative director for performances for the Democratic National Convention in 2012, Madame Butterfly/Opera Carolina Event at the Uptown Mint Museum. Currently he’s an adjuct professor at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Dance. Director/Choreographer highlights include: SPRING AWAKENING- Winthrop University; ROCK OF AGES, FUN HOME, AMERICAN IDIOT, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and PASSING STRANGE, and DREAM A LITTLE DREAM at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte; Prague national premiere

Creative Team Cont’d

of RENT- Kalich Theatre Czech Republic; CHICAGO, JEKYLL AND HYDE, BEEHIVE, A CHORUS LINE, and GREASE- Central Piedmont Community College Summer Theatre; THE WIZARD OF Oz - Onstage Theatrics Las Vegas; KING DAVID - New York and European Tours; DREAMER - National and Asian Tours; THE MUSIC MAN and OKLAHOMA - West Coast Opera Theatre Palm Desert; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, PETER PAN, ANNIE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOG DREAMCOAT- The McCallum Theatre Palm Desert, WEST SIDE STORY and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST- Musical Theatre West; 42ND STREET- Gallimaufry Performing Arts; FACETS FROM BROADWAY- Pacific Symphony Orchestra; and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE- Saddleback CLO. Some additional choreography credits; DREAMGIRLS, BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, ANYTHING GOES, CATS, HEATHERS, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, FOOTLOOSE, CURTAINS, THE CHILDREN OF EDEN, CABARET, NEXT TO NORMAL, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, GYPSY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GUYS AND DOLLS, HOW TO SUCCEED..., CHESS, MIKADO, HELLO DOLLY, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, ME AND MY GIRL, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, and TITLE OF SHOW.

Bill Congdon (Music Director/Arranger/ Orchestrator) National Tours: MATILDA THE MUSICAL, MAMMA MIA!, BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, LION KING. Las Vegas: MAMMA MIA! Music Director and arranger for ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION

at Childrens’ Theatre Of Charlotte. Assoc. Music Director for BROADWAY

DREAMS since 2017. Many regional, stock and symphony orchestra credits, including CPCC Summer Theatre, Charlotte Rep, Greensboro Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Opera Carolina and the NC Ballet Theatre. BME from East Carolina University (NC), MM and Performer’s Certificate in Percussion from The Eastman School Of Music (NY).

Ruben Arana-Downs (Scenic Designer) If feels great to be doing what you love…and Ruben loves designing. He has been designing sets for more than two decades now and teaching for just as long. There is a joy that comes to ones heart when you are a part of a story telling family of artists and your work touches the heart of an audience. Being at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a wonderful way to be introduced to a new family of artists. Ruben Arana is a designing here for the first time and designing for James Webb for the sixth time. He is looking forward to sharing this vision with the Charlotte audience. Ruben is a professor at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL. He is also a graduate of North Carolina School of the Arts. His designs for musicals, opera and plays have been seen across the country. He is looking forward to sharing this production with his wife and four children.

Creative Team Cont’d

Kristy Leigh Hall (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be making her Children’s Theatre of Charlotte debut. She has worked in Chicago, Washington, DC, New York and regionally. Film credits: Holy Irresistible, The Engagement Dress (Tubi), and Amber Alert. Off-Broadway designs include WOODY HARRELSON’S: BULLET FOR ADOLF, performed at New World Stages, FEATHER: A MUSICAL PORTRAIT at Signature Theatre, and I FORGIVE YOU, RONALD REAGAN at Theatre Row. In Washington, DC, some highlights are: AMERICAN VOICES (Infinite Stage), GENESIS REBOOT (Synetic Theatre), MINNIE THE MOOCHER (Pointless Theatre), and THAT FACE (Studio Theatre). In Chicago she has designed: AMERICA, V.2.1: THE SAD DEMISE AND EVENTUAL EXTINCTION OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO, AN OCTAROON (with Goodman Theatre), BYHALIA, MISSISSIPPI (at Steppenwolf) and A DOLL’S HOUSE, all with Definition Theatre Company, where she is an ensemble member. Additional designs include PYGMALION, FRANKENSTEIN, followed by HOWARD’S END (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), STICK FLY, THIS, and APARTMENT 3A (Windy City Playhouse), THE WHO AND THE WHAT, PIPELINE (_Victory Gardens Theatre), and _33 TO NOTHING (A Red Orchid Theatre). Design credits in Milwaukee: THE WIZARD OF OZ and TOSCA (Skylight Music Theatre). RIO DE JANEIRO: IN THE ATTIC (Infinite Stage). Her work has been featured at the 2011

Prague Quadrennial Student Exhibition. She has been featured in American Theatre Magazine’s “6 Theatre People to Watch”, is a three-time Joseph Jefferson Award Winner for Best Costume and Makeup Design, a New York International Film Award winner (Best Costume Design) and is on faculty with University of South Carolina. www.kristyleighhall.com

Tyler Knowles (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for his sixth season! Tyler received his BFA and MFA in Sound Design and Technology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Tyler has recently worked on THE VELVETEEN RABBIT and PIGS IS PIGS at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He has also worked at Hope Summer Reparatory Theatre on shows such as SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE, GO DOG. GO!, and CAT IN THE HAT. He is also a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association.

David Carr (Lighting Designer) previously worked as the resident master electrician and lighting designer for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (2011-2017). He has designed such shows with CTC as THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, MAGIC KITE, ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE: WE’RE IN A PLAY! 2015, INTERRUPTING VANESSA,

Creative Team Cont’d

ONSTAGE, and several designs for CTC’s RESIDENT TOURING COMPANY. David has worked as a freelance designer the Charlotte area for the last couple of years working on shows for Charlotte Latin (SHREK THE MUSICAL, NEWSIES, THE HOBBIT), Three Bone Theatre (DOT), Northwest School of the Arts (CLUE, CABARET), and Laura Little Productions’ NEED A LITTLE CHIRSTMAS. Previously, David was at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO as their Lighting Designer and Coordinator, as well as educating students in Lighting Design and Technology. His favorite designs at Lindenwood are A CHIRSTMAS CAROL, THE LINDENWOOD DANCE COMPANY RECITALS, and FUN HOME. David earned his Master of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he also met his future wife, Meena. David is excited to be returning to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte after all these years and thanks his theatre family, friends, and, most importantly, his wife, Meena, and 2 kids, Aiden and Nora. Thank you for believing in me when sometimes I didn’t believe in myself!

Kathryn Hamlett (Stage Manager) is excited to be working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for the first time! She is an alum of the University of Central Oklahoma, and has previously worked with Maine State Music Theatre,The Little Theatre on the Square, and Cape Fear Regional Theatre, among others.

Meet the Author

CRYSTAL HUBBARD

I am a mother of four who writes full-time from a suburb outside St. Louis, Missouri. I began my writing career as a newspaper reporter in Boston, but after the birth of my first child, I took a desk job as a sports copy editor at the Boston Herald. With the birth of my second child, I left the Herald in 2002 to pursue a career writing books. My first romance novel and my first picture book manuscripts were contracted in 2004. Both books were released in 2005, and each was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream, my first picture book, is an Amazon.com Teacher's Pick. The book was chosen by Academy Award-winning actor/director Kevin Costner to read aloud for Storyline Online, a literacy website. The video has more than five million views on YouTube. I wrote picture books and romance novels until 2011. After the publication of my ninth romance novel, I decided to exclusively write books for children. My picture books have been honored with the American Library Association's Amelia Bloomer Project Award, Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year, Florida State Award Masterlist, Smithsonian's Notable Children's Books, Storytelling World Awards, the Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award, and the inaugural 2022 Black KidLit Award.

Ilustration by Randy DuBurke

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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

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

Lead Electrician - Amber Bidwell

Education

Director of Education - EG Engle

Camps & Community Programs Manager - Mary Katherine Smith

Education Program Manager - Morgan Southard

Education Operations & Administrative Manager - Cat Koski

Resident Teaching Artists - Karen Steele & Breana Venablé

Education Assistant - Katie Kinser

Development

Director of Development – Emily J. Chuma

Associate Director of Development - Scott Tynes-Miller

Special Events & Individual Giving Manager - Kenneth Rosander

Development Coordinator - Jean Edwards

Touring Coordinator, Front & Center Series - Madia Medico

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

IT Manager - Claire Whitworth-Helm

Audience Service Coordinator - Louise Lawson

Marketing Assistant - Aaron Bunzey

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mitchell Kelling - Chair

Sallie Beason - Chair-Elect

Stephanie Isham - Treasurer

Maddie Myers - Secretary

Cynthia Banks

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

April Whitlock

Honorary Lifetime Members

Robin Branstrom

Carla DuPuy

Peter Flur

Cynthia Lank

Linda Lockman-Brooks

ENCORE! President

Sandy Vlahos

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

The Shubert Foundation

The Infusion Fund and its generous donors

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 Daniel, Edward, Cora & Strickland Foundation

The Dickson Foundation, Inc.

LendingTree

Offit Kurman

Parker Poe

Publix Super Markets Charities

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($3,000 to $4,999)

Deloitte & Touche LLP

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($1,000 to $2,999)

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Our Supporters cont’d

INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS

We recognize and thank our generous donors who gave as of February 19, 2024. 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

Andrew and Stephanie Fulford

Travis & Lise Hain

The Hensley Family

David Holland

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Ann & Scott Manning

Arrington Mixon

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Jennifer & Jack Ross

Sandy & Greg Vlahos

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

Linda Reynolds

Stephen & Stephanie Sorenson

Erik & Amelia Peterson

Kristin Tokic

Rosa Maria Vega

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

Christi Farr

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

Timothy James

Tonya Jesso

Laurie Johnston*

Ashley & Matthew Joseph

Jeff & Deborah Long, In Honor of Miss Penelope Long

Bruce & Michelle Long

Seah & Robert McCammon

Salem & Sean McMullan

Gary Monie

Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve

Anna & Tom Nelson

John & Suzy Nurkin

Ed & Tari Schutzman

Janet & Joshua Smith

Michael Tarwater

Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn

Laura & Brian Walger

Katie & Jason Weeks

Our Supporters cont’d

SUPPORTING PLAYERS SOCIETY

($500 - $999)

Dora Abraham

Cynthia Banks

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

Jennie McGuire

Megan McKeever

Renee Miller

Elizabeth Murphy

Eileen Manlove O’Brien

Jerry & Cookie Parnell

Christian & Denise Pineno

Allison & Thad Reece

Benjamin & Rebecca Schultz

Kindra Shah

Nedra Tawwab

Cindy & Rob Taylor

Carrie & J.T. Teixeira

Robert & Leslie Tesch

Brandon Williams

*Indicates those who support the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship.

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

$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

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

2024 Summer Camps

Experiences for students ages 3 to 18 at ImaginOn I CPCC Matthews I Queens University

ON SALE AT CTCHARLOTTE.ORG

• Early Childhood Camps

• Primary Camps

• Performance Camps

• Teen Studios

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

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

• Hanging artwork created by school children attending our shows

• Checking in guests at our annual gala

• Selling concessions during OnStage weekend with our Education team

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