2023-24 season Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Wells Fargo Playhouse January 13-28, 2024

Contents 4

TITLE PAGE

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THE 2023-24 SEASON

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SHOW SPONSORS

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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MUSICAL NUMBERS

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FOR THIS PRODUCTION

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MEET THE CAST

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MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM

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STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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OUR SUPPORTERS

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SUMMER CAMPS

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ENCORE! VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

Links

Photo by Alex Aguilar

FACEBOOK.COM/CTCHARLOTTE INSTAGRAM.COM/CTCHARLOTTENC X.COM/CTCHARLOTTE

(formerly Twitter)

YOUTUBE.COM/CTCHARLOTTE

Originally Adapted and Produced for the Stage by Theatre BAM From the Series Created by George Newall and Tom Yohe Based on an idea by David McCall

Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating and Kyle Hall Music and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Director & Choreographer Rahsheem Shabazz Music Director Brandon J Johns Scenic Designer Tim Parati Costume Designer Kahei Shum McRae Sound Designer Tyler Knowles Lighting Designer Katy Sigmon

Run time approximately 60 minutes Videotaping, photography and other recording of this production is prohibited.

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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: Lauren and William Voorhees Rob and Caryn Craige Offit Kurman 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.

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Next Up

FEBRUARY 3-18, 2024 I FOR AGES 6+

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MAKING MUSICAL 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.

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SET DESIGN Tim Parati’s set design brings back the groovy spirit of the 1970s cartoon that gave the story life.

COSTUME DESIGN Kahei Shum McRae’s designs are bursting with color and personality.

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Musical Numbers Photos by Alex Aguilar

Verb, That’s What’s Happening Noun Is A Person, Place or Thing Three Is A Magic Number Sufferin’ Til Suffrage Unpack Your Adjectives Just a Bill The Preamble Ready or Not, Here I Come Do the Circulation Rufus Xavier Sarsparilla A Victim of Gravity Conjunction Junction Interplanet Janet Interjections The Tale of Mr. Morton 10

For This Production CREATIVE TEAM Director & Choreographer.....................................................................Rahsheem Shabazz Music Director................................................................................................Brandon J Johns Scenic Designer........................................................................................................Tim Parati Costume Designer..................................................................................Kahei Shum McRae Sound Designer...................................................................................................Tyler Knowles Lighting Designer.................................................................................................Katy Sigmon

FOR THIS PRODUCTION Stage Manager.................................................................................................Vince Aycock Scenic Painter.......................................................................................Stephen West-Rogers Lightboard Operator.............................................................................................Sidney Bing

CAST Miles Thompson..................................................................................................................Tom Lauren Ragsdale.............................................................................................................Shulie Jailyn Feliz............................................................................................................................Dori Seth Nelson...................................................................................................................George

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Meet the Cast MILES THOMPSON (Tom)

Miles Thompson is incredibly excited to make his debut at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte! While you may recognize him from his fabulous tutus or dedication to Wacky Wednesdays during our Summer Camps, this is his first time performing with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. A recent graduate of UNC Charlotte, Miles is consistently looking for new and innovative ways to further his theatrical growth which include directing, stage managing, and teaching! He would like to thank his parents, mentors, and all his AWESOME students for inspiring him daily!

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Meet the Cast LAUREN RAGSDALE (Shulie)

Lauren Ragsdale is so excited to be making her debut with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in the Resident Touring Company! Originally from Tennessee, she moved to North Carolina to attend college. Having graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, she received a B.A. in Drama and Vocal Performance in 2022. Recently, she has worked with Theatre Raleigh, Theatre in the Park, Burning Coal Theatre, and Kenan Theatre Company. When not working, Lauren loves to read and watch the same movies over and over again with her cat, Milo. Thank you to the cast and the team behind this tour, and she can’t wait to share these awesome shows with kids across the Carolinas!

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Meet the Cast JAILYN FELIZ (Dori)

Jailyn Feliz is a Charlotte native and is excited to return home and make her Children’s Theatre of Charlotte debut. She recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with her bachelor’s degree in Drama and Media Studies. Go Spartans! Some roles she had the pleasure of playing during her time in Greensboro include: Sister Bear in Wake Up, Brother Bear, Mom in Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea and Antígona in The Passion of Antígona Pérez. She is passionate about theatre for young people and is thrilled to share Danny, King of the Basement and School house Rock Live! with hundreds of children on this tour. Jailyn would like to give special thanks to her family, friends, and mentors for supporting her on her journey. She hopes that you all enjoy these shows as much as she enjoys performing them.

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Meet the Cast SETH NELSON (George)

Seth Nelson is an actor, director, and educator originally from Dallas, TX, and he is thrilled to be making his Children’s Theatre of Charlotte debut with the Resident Touring Company. Seth received his B.F.A. in Theatre (Directing) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 2016, and his M.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2022. Seth has performed professionally as an actor all across the country, but he is especially excited for this opportunity to help share the joy of theatre with so many young people. Seth currently lives in Concord, NC with his spouse and their pet cat, Hobbes.

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Creative Team

Rahsheem Shabazz (Director & Choreographer) is more than excited for his Children’s Theatre of Charlotte directing debut.

Recent directing credits include PETER PAN, 101 DALMATIANS (THE MUSICAL), PRINCESS FEARLESS, SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD, and more.

After many years of acting on the stage he is proud to collaborate, and present fun and nostalgia with SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! So, sing along and find what’s in your past that can propel you even further into your future! Special thanks to the entire cast and crew! Thank You Adam Burke for trusting my vision. NOW LETS ROCK! Brandon J Johns (Music Director) is so happy to be back in the theatre this fall. He was last seen as Business Man in DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL, THE LION AND THE LITTLE RED BIRD tour, 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, performining in many shows including SNOW WHITE 16

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 Monsier D’Arque in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Brandon is also a musician, arranger, and composer.

Some of his original music 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. Tim Parati (Scenic Designer) is an artist, actor and designer and has been the resident Scenic Artist at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for almost 20 years. For CTC, he has designed close to 30 productions including THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, ACCIDENTAL FRIENDS, NEW KID, DANNY, KING OF THE BASEMENT, AESOP’S FABLES, and TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, and co-designed PETITE ROUGE and LILLY’S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE. He has also designed for Theatre Charlotte, Opera Carolina, On Q Productions and Queen City Quiz Show. Visit timparati.com to see his work! As an actor, Para-

Creative Team Cont’d

ti’s credits include recurring roles on “Army Wives” and “The Walking Dead” and in “A Time to Kill”, “From the Earth to the Moon”, and “John Adams”. He sends all his love and thanks to his wife and muse, Kim, for her support and inspiration, their amazing daughter Ava Luna and their spirited pup, Zydeco. Family is strength.

Kahei Shum McRae (Costume Designer) is delighted to be on this groovy journey! Originally from Hong Kong, Kahei received her BA in Theatre from UW-Madison, her BFA in Production Design and MFA in Costume Design from UNCSchool of the Arts. Some of her recent Children’s Theatre of Charlotte credits include ALLIE KAZAN AND THE MAGIC MANSION, MY WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY SUIT, THE INVISIBLE BOY, PETE THE CAT, THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, and GRACE FOR PRESIDENT. She also loved designing CABARET and ADDAMS FAMILY with Davidson College, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with Theatre Charlotte, and SHREK with CPCC. Her other costume design work has been seen at Triad Stage, UNC Charlotte, UNCG, The Barter Players, Peppercorn Children’s Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, Wake Forest University and Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Special

thanks to UNCSA and her family.

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.

Katy Sigmon (Lighting Designer) is so happy to be returning to work with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte on this production! Recent Professional Credits include: Costume Design for A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE, and DANNY, KING OF THE BASEMENT with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD and THE UGLY DUCKLING (Jim Henson Award Winner) with the North Carolina Theatre for Young People as well as DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, MARY POPPINS, and TUESDAYS 17

Creative Team Cont’d WITH MORRIE at The Green Room.

Wig & Makeup Design/Artist at Ghost Train Halloween Festival, The Carolina Pumpkin Spelltacular, and Carl White’s Life in the Carolinas. She is Co-Founder and Production Designer of Sigmon Theatrical, Co-Founder of GiggleBox Circus, and full time mama to Levi and Charlie.

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Staff & Board of Directors CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE

LEADERSHIP

School Group Sales & Performance Coordinator - Chris Stonnell

Artistic Director - Adam Burke

IT Manager - Claire Whitworth-Helm

Managing Director - Nao Tsurumaki

Audience Service Coordinator - Louise Lawson

Administration

Marketing Assistant - Aaron Bunzey

Human Resources Manager - Carolyn Lugo-Allred

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Business Manager - Alex Doxey

Mitchell Kelling - Chair

Senior Accountant - Crystal Johnson

Sallie Beason - Chair-Elect

ImaginOn Partnership Coordinator - Maryann O’Keeffe

Stephanie Isham - Treasurer

ImaginOn Administrative Support - Casey Kaufmann

Maddie Myers - Secretary

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

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

Development Director of Development – Emily J. Chuma Associate Director of Development - Scott Tynes-Miller Special Events & Individual Giving Manager - Kenneth Rosander

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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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 December 17, 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 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 Tonya Jesso Laurie Johnston* Ashley & Matthew Joseph 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 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 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 Cindy & Rob Taylor Carrie & J.T. Teixeira Robert & Leslie Tesch 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 23

2024 Summer Camps

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

ON SALE FRI, JAN 26

• Early Childhood Camps • Primary Camps • Performance Camps • Teen Studios 24

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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

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 25

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.

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9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277

PRESENTED BY

Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Purchase tickets with the QR code or: CharlotteYouthBallet.org CPCC Box Office: 704-330-6534 Before the Curtain Girl Scout event Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m. $25 per troop | Each Girl Scout earns a patch!

Purchase $18 discounted show tickets: 704-330-6534 Halton Theater at CPCC | 1206 Elizabeth Ave | Charlotte, NC 28204 Free parking available 27