2021-22 season Tomás and the Library Lady

Tomás and theLibraryLady

BY CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE

Wells Fargo Playhouse January 29 - February 13, 2022

ADAPTED BY JOSÉ CRUZ GONZÁLEZ FROM THE BOOK BY PAT MORA I ILLUSTRATED BY RAÚL COLÓN

IN-PERSON PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS

VIRTUAL

CHARLOTTE YOUTH CHOIR

VISUAL ART

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

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Formerly Community School of the Arts

From the Artistic Director Welcome back to the theatre and to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s 74th season! We’ve got an exciting season in store. Our fall is an homage to our pandemic season. Last year we produced and recorded four shows and shared them digitally with schools across North and South Carolina and are now overjoyed to be able to share them, live and in person, with you.

We open with the imaginative world of My Wonderful Birthday Suit written by Gloria Bond Clunie. Then we highlight a piece from The Kindness Project, Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. This is an incredible look at a young boy’s journey as he flees Germany and tries to find refuge in a new country where he doesn’t speak the language. We end our fall with the gentle and beautiful The Velveteen Rabbit. In the spring we are excited to share the story of Tomás Rivera, the child of migrant workers who eventually becomes the first Mexican American chancellor of the University of California, Riverside, in Tomás and the Library Lady. We then return to the wacky and fun world of Dragon’s Love Tacos. We are honored to present Mike Wiley’s One Noble Journey: A Box Marked Freedom and have been working on a brand-new clown piece for our youngest audiences called Pigs is Pigs. However, as we seek to honor the differences in all people, our final show, Shrek the Musical, captures that celebration like none other. I will leave you with the words of Gingy…but these could be the words of any young person today who, deep down, just wants to let their freak flag fly…

“We spend our whole lives wishing We weren’t so freakin’ strange.

They made us feel that way, But it’s they who need to change.

It’s time to stop the hiding.

It’s time to stand up tall.

Say “Hey world, I’m different.

And here I am!

Splinters and all Splinters and all.”

Adam Burke

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Contents 3

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE

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TITLE PAGE

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THE 2021-22 SEASON

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SUMMER CAMPS ON SALE

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CREATIVE TEAM/CAST/STAFF

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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Q&A WITH CREATIVES

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CAST BIOS

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

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DONOR INFORMATION

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OUR SUPPORTERS

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ENCORE! VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

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EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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ACTIVITIES

Links

FACEBOOK.COM/CTCHARLOTTE INSTAGRAM.COM/CTCHARLOTTENC TWITTER.COM/CTCHARLOTTE YOUTUBE.COM/CTCHARLOTTE

Tomás and theLibraryLady Adapted by José Cruz González From the book by Pat Mora I Illustrated by Raúl Colón Director Alicia Tafoya Music Director Gabrieal Gonzales Scenic Designer HannaH Crowell Costume Designer Alexandria Vazquez Co-Lighting Designers Sarah Tundermann & Gordon Olson Sound Designer Tyler Knowles Projections Designer Sarah Tundermann Music Arranged and Performed by Adam Jacobson

Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING, Woodstock, Illinois

Run time 60 minutes. Note- There are some nightmare scenes during the show.

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

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Celebrating All of Life’s Stages Wherever your charitable interest lies, you have the power to create a better community. From establishing your first charitable fund to planning your estate – and every generous act in between – FFTC helps you make a lasting impact.

Inspiring the Art of Philanthropy

www.fftc.org | 704.998.6412 | philanthropy@fftc.org

2021-22 Season Today’s celebration is brought to life, in part, by: Herb and Gina Clegg* John and Nancy Dickson Ryan and Danielle Hutcheson* Nichelle and Sasha Weintraub* April and Thomas Whitlock* K&L Gates LLP The Daniel, Edward, Cora and Strickland Foundation 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.

* Indicates donations made to The Linda Reynolds Endowment Fund for Kindness and Wonder.

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Welcome Home We’re excited to welcome audiences back in person for an amazing lineup of shows full of love, laughter, and lessons. Thanks to our family of donors for bringing this season to life.

GET DETAILS

My Wonderful Birthday Suit Sept 25 - Oct 10, 2021 For ages 4 and up

Tomás and the Library Lady Jan 29 - Feb 13, 2022 For ages 6 and up

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba Nov 6 - 14, 2021 For ages 9 and up

Dragons Love Tacos Feb 11 - Mar 6, 2022 For ages 4 and up

Shrek the Musical Apr 8 - May 1, 2022 For all ages

The Velveteen Rabbit Dec 4 - 19, 2021 For all ages

One Noble Journey: A Box Marked Freedom Mar 26 - Apr 2, 2022 For ages 9 and up

Pigs is Pigs May 31 - June 12, 2022 For PreK Supported by PNC Foundation

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Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Summer Camps offer experiences for students ages 3 to 18 in a fun, interactive environment.

Professional Teaching Artists lead campers in acting, singing, and dancing activities.

LEARN MORE

Camps are grouped by age: • Early Childhood Camps (For Ages 3-5) • Primary Camps (For rising K - 2nd Grade) • Musical Performance Camps (For rising 3rd - 6th Grade) • Teen Studios (For rising 7th -12th Grade) Payment plans and scholarships available

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CREATIVE TEAM Director – Alicia Tafoya Music Director- Gabrieal Gonzales Scenic Designer – HannaH Crowell Costume Designer – Alexandria Vazquez Co-Lighting Designers - Sarah Tundermann & Gordon Olson Sound Designer – Tyler Knowles Projections Designer - Sarah Tundermann Music Arranged and Performed by Adam Jacobson CAST Actor 1 - Alex Aguilar Actor 2 - Jennifer Poarch

FOR THIS PRODUCTION Stage Manager – Laura Beth Lee Wardrobe Supervisor - Loren Moody Wig Artisan - Jason Estrada Stitcher - Chelsea Retalic Carpenter - Greg Lilley Electricians - Katy Sigmon, Mike Swager, Brandy Brogden, Josh Lucero, Jamaas Britton Lightboard Operator - Jamaas Britton Lightboard Programmer - Mike Swager Soundboard Operator - Daniel Wray Projections Operator - Jessica Clapper Prop Artisans - Greg Lilley, Mandy Peeler, Philip White Vocal Coach - Gabrieal Gonzales Run Crew - Maddi Penn SPECIAL THANKS Photos courtesy of Tomás Rivera Archives, Special Collections, University of California, Riverside

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STAFF OF THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE Artistic Director – Adam Burke Managing Director - Nao Tsurumaki Administration Finance Director - Tracy Chandler Staff Accountant - Nancy Deel Human Resources Manager - Carolyn Lugo-Allred ImaginOn Partnership Coordinator - Maryann O’Keeffe ImaginOn Administrative Support - Casey Kaufmann Production Director of Production - Steven Levine Interim Costume Shop Manager - Magda Guichard Assistant Costume Shop Manager - Beth Chaitman Cutter/Draper - Colette Adatto Production Stage Manager - Laura Beth Lee Resident Stage Manager - Steven James Production Assistant - Alison Wieder Properties Manager - Cassie Ward Technical Director - Andrew Gibbon Master Carpenter - John Slechta Charge Scenic Artist - Tim Parati Resident Sound Designer/AV Supervisor - Tyler Knowles Resident Lighting Designer/Master Electrician - Robyn Warfield Swing Technician - Andy Hollar Education Director of Education - Michelle Long Early Childhood & SOTT Manager - Adam Montague Camps & Community Programs Manager - Mary Katherine Smith Administrative Assistant - Cat Koski Resident Teaching Artists - Karen Steele & Kaitlin Gentry Development Director of Development – Spencer Clair Associate Director of Development - Scott Tynes-Miller Operations & Special Events Manager - Lauren Taylor Individual Giving Manager- Olivia Horton Marketing and Communications Director of Marketing & Communications - Cindy Taylor Associate Director of Marketing - Rob Odum Customer Experience Manager - Ashley Hughes Social Media Maven – Alex Aguilar Sales & Marketing Analyst - Nick Taylor School Performance Coordinator/Staff EDI Lead - Arlethia Hailstock Touring Performance Coordinator - Margot Parrott IT Manager - Claire Whitworth-Helm Audience Service Coordinator - Louise Lawson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair - Ashley Joseph Past Chair - Tim Rogers Treasurer - Stacia Neugent Sallie Beason Kristin Black Mary Alice Boyd Julio Colmenares Leigh Hickman Ben Hume Stephanie Isham William Jefferson Mitchell Kelling Shirley Lamm Rebecca Lindahl Salem McMullan Jennifer Madara Catherine Malone Scott Manning Lisa Miller Maddie Myers Mallory Navin Kerbie Neal Stacia Neugent Kristen Sario Chris Socha Nichelle Weintraub Judith Whelan 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 ENCORE! President Caryn Craige

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BEHIND THE SCENES

All of the elements of the show from set design to costume design, lighting, props and sound, are all 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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PROPS Did you know that the props for all the shows at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte are created/fulfilled right here in our Prop Shop?

Our Properties Master works with the design team to determine what’s needed and create a working list.

Every detail from color, size, functionality, historical and cultural representation and accuracy are considered.

PROJE C TI ON S Projections include visual elements that help tell the story. Designer Sarah Tundermann considers everything like shading, fonts, patterns, and more in the creative process.

Inspiration photos are gathered as a creative starting point.

SET DESIGN HannaH Crowell’s scenic design pulls double duty - taking us from the corn fields of Iowa where Tomas’ family worked to the stacks of books in the library where he learns to dream.

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Q&A WITH THE CREATIVES MARRIED EDUCATORS. CREATIVE POWERHOUSES. Alicia Tafoya

Gabrieal Gonzales

director

music director

Q. Pat Mora talks about the importance of educators and librarians in her works, can you elaborate in your own experiences as educators?

Alicia: It seems the older I get the more aware I am of just how little I know.

One of my favorite elements of this narrative is that rather than positioning the Library Lady as an authority or the white savior in the narrative the author, José Cruz Gonzáles, has empowered both Tomás and the Library Lady in this story. Each of them are a student and a teacher in their own way. We can all take a lesson from this. Every person, no matter how young, can teach us a something if we are willing to learn. Sometimes that lesson is as simple as reminding us of the joys of discovering or experiencing something for first time and other times it can be as complex as understanding the perspective of someone far removed from our own perspective and experiences.

Gabrieal: Educators have the ability to help set the tone developmentally especially the younger they are. As the educator you have the responsibility to guide your students on their journeys of learning while allowing them to lead themselves. As for the work of librarians, before the internet the only means of information were neighbors who had a set of encyclopedias or the 16

school/public libraries. Even in college, a majority of my time was spent in the music library. They were the one who knew who could teach you how to map out the library and set you on your way.

Q. Kindness is a huge part of our mission which is exemplified in this

production. Can you elaborate how kindness from the Library Lady helps Tomás and what you hope audiences will gain?

Alicia: While it is not an explicit part of the narrative, the time period in which this show (and Tomás Rivera’s life) was set was filled with endless challenges for people of color. Tomás is likely to have been in a segregated classroom, the meer idea of a person of color stepping into a white library at the time is almost unbelievable. The actual librarian that the Library Lady was based on, Bertha Gaukle, was ahead of her time. She was willing and able to see beyond Tomás’ ethnicity and was willing to invest her time and energy into facilitating the success of an intelligent and passionate young man. Her investment allowed him to overcome his own challenges. Her kindness was paid forward through Tomás Rivera’s work as an author and educator. and awards that honor is name, and through his continued impact in inspiring policies, scholarship, and student success.

Q. Gabrieal, you’re nationally certified in Orff Schulwerk and all levels of

World Music Drumming. Can you elaborate on the Orff Schulwerk method and how it influences your work?

Gabrieal: The Orff Schulwerk method involves play, imitation, experimentation, and personal expression as a learning model in learning music. When directing musically, I like to use aspects of this method because it allows for the actor to have a freedom of expression when singing specific melodies written by a composer. The rhythms for the most part can be experimented in many ways that the actor is feeling in the moment while still abiding by what was originally composed by the composer.

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Cast ALEX AGUILAR (Actor 1) is thrilled to perform at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte again for such an important story. Having come from a family of immigrants, his childhood parallels that of Tomás in his upbringing. Learning English was particularly difficult for Alex, but he too had an educator that helped push his imagination through literacy programs – which opened the doors to his love for theatre. He was last seen in the virtual production of The Velveteen Rabbit and performed on the road with the Theatre’s Resident Touring Company for 2 years in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Accidental Friends, Rapenzel, and SPELLING 2-5-5. Alex hopes that Charlotte continues to tell these stories because representation inspires new generations. “Thank you Ms. Golden for being my Library Lady.”

JENNIFER POARCH (Actor 2) is delighted to return to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Some favorite regional credits include: Natalie/Ed (All Shook Up), Kala (Tarzan), Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Lilli/Kate (Kiss Me Kate), Narrator (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat), Cassie (A Chorus Line), Guinevere (Camelot), Mrs. Anna (The King and I), Barbara (Shear Madness), Shelby (Steel Magnolias), and Julie (Pizza Man).

When Jennifer is not performing, she enjoys directing, choreographing, educating and managing for theaters across the country. Jennifer gives thanks to her family, friends and God for all their love and support.

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Creative Team Alicia Tafoya (Director) is an Assistant Professor and Head of Performance in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is an actor, director, new work dramaturg, and certified Michael Chekhov teacher. Previous directing projects span multiple genres including Latinx Theatre, Opera, Theatre for Social Change, and Children’s Theatre. Recent credits include Radium Girls, Hansel and Gretel (children’s opera), The Neverending Story, and Marisol. Her work and research were featured this past year at the Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference, the Montreal Edfest, and the Edinburg Fringe Festival.

Gabrieal Gonzales (Music Director) is the founding K-12th grade Music Director/Music Teacher at Keystone School in San Antonio, Texas. He is an accomplished operatic singer and instrumentalist. Vocal performance credits include roles with the Cimarron Circuit Opera, Utah Opera, Utah Festival Opera, Cincinnati Opera, and Opera San Antonio. He has also performed with the Ken Davis Chorale and the San Antonio Chamber Chorale. Other music directing credits include original shows, The Jungle Book, Aristocats, The Wizard of Oz, Pippin, and Honk.

HannaH Crowell (Scenic Designer) is honored to return to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for this thoughtful production. Her previous scenic designs at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte include Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and The Invisible Boy. 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.

Alexandria Vazquez (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be joining Children’s Theatre of

Charlotte this season as Costume Designer for Tomás and the Library Lady. Based in Orlando, Florida, Alexandria received her BA in Costume Design/Tech from Rollins College and her MFA in Costume Design/Tech from West Virginia University. Alexandria has worked throughout the Eastern US and has designed productions at both educational institutions as well as in the community and professionally. She currently serves as the Costume Shop Manager for the Orlando Repertory Theatre. She wants to thank her amazing famillia and fiancée Robert for their continuous support and love. You can follow Alexandria’s work on Instagram at @alexandriavazquezdesign and online at https:// www.alexandriavazquezcostumedesign. com.

Gordon Olson (Co-Lighting Designer) is Senior Lecturer in Lighting Design at UNCC. His lighting design efforts in the Charlotte area include; Madagascar: The Musical!, School House Rock Live!, and Batboy: The Musical at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, The Producers, The Addams Family, Spring Awakening, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Footloose at Theatre Charlotte, Grease!, Side by Side, and Our Town with Providence Day, Spamalot, Annie, Chicago, and Don’t Dress for Dinner with Davidson Community Players, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Spring Awakening, The Seagull, Colored Museum, and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and over 40 music and dance concerts at UNC-Charlotte. Before assisting on the Broadway productions of Good People (World Premiere) and Jerusalem (Tony Nominated - Best Lighting Design) in 2011, Gordon spent three years as Resident Lighting Designer with Florida Grand Opera where his designs for Madama Butterfly, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Cosi fan tutté won critical praise. Between 2006-2008 Gordon served as the Lighting Supervisor for Houston Grand Opera where he designed 19

Creative Team cont’d the lighting for a world premiere production of Hansel and Gretel. Other design engagements include Pagliacci with San Antonio Opera and Into the Woods with the Renaissance Theatre.

To date, Gordon has been involved with the lighting of over 120 productions in his professional career. Gordon received his BFA from the University of Arizona in 2001 and his MFA from the University of Texas - Austin in 2004.

Tyler Knowles (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be returning to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for his third 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, Akeelah and the Bee, The Invisible Boy, Accidental Friends, Pete the Cat, Last Stop on Market Street, and The Lion and the Little Red Bird here at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He has also worked at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre on shows such as Schoolhouse Rock Live, Go Dog. Go!, and Cat in the Hat. He is also an early career member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association.

Sarah Tundermann (Projections Designer/ Co-Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Previous CTC credits include And in this Corner: Cassius Clay, School House Rock Live (Projection) and The Snowy Day and Other Stories (Lighting and Projection). Recent regional lighting design credits include Berta Berta, Cry it Out, Queens Girl: Black in the Green Mountains (Everyman Theatre); Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Kennedy Center), She the People (Second City at Woolly Mammoth),The Royale, Tiger Style, Annie (Olney Theatre Center); Recent regional projection designs include Corduroy, Escape from Peligro Island (Imagination Stage); Becoming Dr. Ruther (Theatre J); She the People (Second City at Woolly Mammoth); E2 (World Premiere - Rep Stage); Queens Girl in the World, Queens Girl in Africa (Everyman The20

atre); Watsons go to Birmingham (Kennedy Center). Sarah resides in Baltimore with her dog and two pandemic kittens. www.sarahtundermann.com José Cruz González (Playwright) is a playwright whose work includes American Mariachi, Under a Baseball Sky, Among the Darkest Shadows, The Astronaut Farmworker, The Long Road Today, The San Patricios, Sunsets and Margaritas, Los Valientes, The Sun Serpent, Invierno, The Heart’s Desire, Tomás and the Library Lady, Waking Up in Lost Hills, Earth Songs, September Shoes, Odysseus Cruz, The Highest Heaven and Harvest Moon. A collection of his plays, Nine Plays by José Cruz González Magical Realism & Mature Themes in Theatre for Young Audiences was published by the University of Texas Press in 2009. Mr. González has written for PAZ, the Emmy Award nominated television series produced by Discovery Kids for The Learning Channel. The Astronaut Farmworker was a 2016 PEN Center USA Literary Award Finalist.

He is a Professor Emeritus at California State University at Los Angeles, a member of The Dramatists Guild of America, TYA/USA and the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Happy Birthday Seth Burke

Adam Murdock

Connor Cheek

Leo Shreve

Hartley Cheek

Gabriel Qasim

Charlie DeLucia

Sully Rhymer

Harry Duda

Andrew Smith

Teddy Kelling

Bryce Walger

Penelope Long

Andrew Waller

Coby Martin

Cailin Whitlock

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EXECUTIVE PRODUCING PARTNERS ($50,000 and more)

Ally Financial, Inc. The Britton Foundation Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP First Horizon Bank Lancaster County Community Foundation Moore & Van Allen PLLC Morgan Stanley Wealth Management New Day Wellness Center PLLC True Homes Foundation

Arts & Science Council North Carolina Arts Council PNC Foundation The Leon Levine Foundation Sandra & Leon Levine The Shubert Foundation The Women’s Impact Fund Thrive Fund for the Arts The Infusion Fund PRODUCING PARTNERS ($25,000 to $49,999) National Endowment for the Arts Triad Foundation DIRECTING PARTNERS ($10,000 to $24,999) BlackArch Partners C.D. Spangler Foundation, Inc. Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. Daniel, Ratliff & Company SPX Corporation STANDING OVATION PARTNERS ($5,000 to $9,999) Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Cornwell Foundation Edifice, Inc. K&L Gates LLP Publix Super Markets Charities The Dickson Foundation, Inc. CENTER STAGE PARTNERS ($3,000 to $4,999) Deloitte & Touche LLP The Daniel, Edward, Cora & Strickland Foundation

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Our Supporters cont’d INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS

We recognize and thank our generous donors who gave July 1, 2020 to January 14, 2022.

Our annual donors are recognized at the most current giving level.

LEADING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($25,000 and more) Rob & Kate Buckfelder ($10,000 - $24,999) Dorlisa & Peter Flur* Arrington & Burch Mixon* Carson & Andrew Tate Tammy Stringer & Richard Viola ($5,000 - $9,999) Omid & Julie Ahdieh Robin & Bill Branstrom* Dr. Daniel Donner Reemprise Fund* David Holland Travis & Lise Hain* Matthew & Ashley Joseph* Mitchell Kelling* Bruce & Anita LaRowe* Howard & Julie Levine Jennifer & Eric Madara Ann & Scott Manning Brian & Laura Murdock* Jennifer & Jack Ross The Sario Family Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn ($3,000 - $4,999) Herb & Gina Clegg* Rob & Caryn Craige John & Nancy Dickson The Hensley Family* Ryan & Danielle Hutcheson* Pat Burgess & Joan Martin* Maddie & Brian Myers* Stacia and Charlie Neugent* Angela & Josh Scholl* Brad & Whitney Vineyard* Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub* Judith & Matthew Whelan* April & Thomas Whitlock*

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($1,000 - $2,999) Stephen & Carolyn Allred Allyson & Scott Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Babcock Sally & Gary Beason* Kristin Black* Crandall Bowles* Mary Alice Boyd Andrea Brown* Tamara Budz Mike and Katie Burgess Danielle & Adam Burke Julie & Stoke Caldwell* Spencer Clair & Chris Loyd Veruska & Julio Colmenares Amy & Alfred Dawson Jessica & Craig DeLucia Sidney & Andres Echevarria Tom & Julie Eiselt* Christi & Will Farr Beth & Gaston Gage* Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gonzalez Magda Guichard Watts & Carol Hamrick Brad & Karen Harris David & Marti Head* Scott & Claire Helm Leigh Hickman Ben & Christy Hume Stephanie & Ryan Isham LaKeisha & William Jefferson Tammy & Greg Jones Shirley Lamm Cynthia & Dave Lank* Jeff & Deborah Long, In Honor of Miss Penelope Long Bruce & Michelle Long Allison Malloy Michele & Steve Mangan* Michael & Leslie Marsicano Heather & Scott McAllister Valecia McDowell Salem & Sean McMullan

Our Supporters cont’d David Miller, In Honor of Auctus Advisors Clients Ken & Lisa Miller Teri Miller Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve* Kerbie & Brandon Neal* Anna & Tom Nelson John & Suzy Nurkin John & Ann Porter* The Porter Family Linda Reynolds* Tim & Michelle Rogers* Krysta & Russ Cearley Janet & Joshua Smith Laurel & Christopher Socha Stephen & Stephanie Sorenson* Susan & Al Stafford* Scott & Robin Tynes-Miller Sandy & Greg Vlahos Jennifer Plyler & Bert Wray ($500 - $999) Zack Budzichowski Elizabeth & Anthony Cassano Dallas & Kathy Craven Ina DeRochi Melissa Dorsch Kurtis Douge The Duda Family Patrick & Doreen English Patty & Alex Funderburg Vickie & Tom Gabbard* Mohan Giridharadas John & Mara Gose Sally & Drew Harriss John Curry Chad Kobos Louise & Jerry Lawson The Viola Alexander Lyles Foundation David & Laurie Martin* Seah & Robert McCammon Jenny & Bill Merlo* Rasheeda Moore Ruthann Granito Kirsten & Michael Phalen Margie & Francisco Pinto-Leite* Stephen Redmond Candace & Michael Salamone The Marc and Mattye Silverman Family Foundation*

Cindy & Rob Taylor* Amy Vitner Brian & Laura Walger* Mem Zolak SUPPORTING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($250 - $499) Mary-Stuart Parker Alderman Fund* Sylvia Allen Elizabeth & Benjamin Allison Emily & Lawrence Andress Anonymous Donor Linda & Jim Ashford+ Kimberly Augenbraun Anna & Matthew Brothers Laura & Doug Caldwell Dawn Connell Barry & Nancy Deel Susanne Doring Katharine Dullaghan Rachel & Rob Ellis* John Gibbon Courtney Guin Mr. Frank Hruby & Mrs. Tatyana Rector Josh & Liana Humphrey Steve & Mary Hunting Mia, Drew, Mari & Andy Jones Katie and Drew Williams Laura Kendrick Kathi & John Knier Charles & Brenda LaBorde* Wil Brooks & Linda Lockman-Brooks* Franklin McClelland Andy & Shelley Misiaveg Brooks & Courtney Mixon Caroline Olzinski, In Honor of Grayson & Charlie Olzinski Jerry & Cookie Parnell Catherine Philpott Christian & Denise Pineno Rich & Woods Potts Alicia Prescott, In Honor of Karen Steele The Qasim Family Andy & Emily Reynolds* Angela Shane Molly Shaw & David Webb Carol Smitherman Carrie & J.T. Teixeira Kathleen Valenti

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Our Supporters cont’d ($100 - $249)

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Natalie Alston Karen Aman, Dave, Matthew, & Joshua Edwards* Mike & Kellye Arning Mary & Clint Barlow David Barnaba Megan Bates Taylor & Lauren Batten* Dina Beelaert Ivy Birkhold Mr. & Mrs. Alan Blumenthal Mike & Jane Bufkin Lucy Bush Laura Cameron Matt Caragher Nancy & Kern Carlton* Amy Chandler Kakie & Colin Cheek Nancy Clair Mike & Katharine Cowan* Mary Ann Cross Shelley Davis Dennis Delamar* Bill & Janny DeLoache* Kendra Dodds Heather & Greg Feldman The Campos & Flansburg Family Elsie Flowers Anne Marie Forbes* Justin & Kate Garton Cynthia & Henry Gass Andrew Gibbon* Bill & Pam Giono* Mark Godfriaux Elizabeth Gregg Gary & Pushpa Gross Nachette Hadden Paul Happel Margaret & Gary Hemric Kara Hernandez Steve & Christie Hinshaw Martha Hirsch Olivia & Andrew Horton Stephanie Hurtado-Hoyos Don & Laurie Hutchins Lois Kilkka* Ann Kimbro & Mark Smith* Chris & Lynn Lakin*

Anonymous Tanisha LaShun Tony & Sarah Lathrop* Sandra & Leon Levine Steven Levine & Shawnna Pledger Jennie & Louis Loyd John & Robin Maxwell Mary Ellen & Chuck McElroy, In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Ed Cook Linda Miller, In Memory of Sarah Peacock Renee Miller Nancy Morris Christine Noah* Tim & Kim Parati Anna Patel Daniel Peterson Kirk & Stephanie Phipps* Emily Porges Mr. & Mrs. Jason Rhymer* Rebecca Rodriguez Lauren & David Rivero Melissa Robertson Jennifer Schaperjohn John & Ginger Seabrook Whitney Seeburg Howard Sendrovitz & David Sinclair Julie Sheffer Laura Shwedo Kirilka Simeonova John Slechta Robert Squibb Wendy Strickland Kristin Tart Joe & Rosalind Taylor Laura Taylor Hank West April and Thomas Whitlock, In Honor of Steven Levine Marsha E. Wiggins Dr. Gabrielle Williams Alston O. Wolf ($50 - $99) Aurora Achong Ana Acosta, In Honor of Diego & Dezi Huckleberry Alex Aguilar Michael & Catherine Aldridge Matthew Amrit

Our Supporters cont’d Anonymous Donor Lizzy Bakhaus Cynthia Banks, In Honor of Victoria Bryant Kevin Bell, In Honor of Mallory Navin Sekiya Billman Donna Bise & Greg Ring* Mary Budd Ms. Shirley Butterworth In Loving Memory of Dorothy Hall Lucy Chapman, In Honor of Music Together Charlotte Flannery Clair Kelly Clair Annie Clarke Roger & Ginny Cobb* Robin Cochran Arlie Crumbliss Blair Donald* Corey Easterday Cheryl Endy Kate Fletcher Curt Flood & Kay James & Berri Flood Emily Forfar Abbie Frasier Anna Glodowski, In Honor of Jane & Ed Glodowski Jordan Gougeon

Natasha Grant-Dean Katie Griffin Ms. Mary Hackenberg Tim Hager* Charlitta Hatch Browning Hemric Kristina & Thomas Hoops Jennifer Jones, In Honor of Mallory Navin Jinna Kim Ava & Jake Leblanc Louis Leone Brian & Jenn Loeffler Bill Martin & Jennifer Davis-Martin Patricia Massey Hoke Svetlana Masjutina Sandy & Samantha Rose Mazoway Ariel & Brad Gritter Emily Mills Adam Montague Will Moody Michael Murphy Lee & Beth Neale* Tracie Northan Ashley & Daniel Norton Catherine & Rob Odum* Catherine Ogburn Matt Olin Kelly Parks

Yogini Parmar Andrea Parrish, In Honor of Alice Svehaug Lauren Piper Stephanie Poliakoff Elizabeth Ponder Ellen Rankin Shannon & Rob Reichley Stanley Ruppe Carrie Schwanter Brandon Scott Aubree Slaven Matt & Sherese Smith Kathy & Bill Southerland* Lindsey Trueman Judson Vann Sarah Verardo Cassie Ward Jayke Watson James Weng Matthew and Judith Whelan, In Honor of Peter Haensel David & Tracy Whittington

* Indicates donations made to The Linda Reynolds Endowment Fund for Kindness and Wonder.

Additional supporters providing gifts to the Fund include: Anonymous (in honor of the Senior Leadership Team at Children’s Theatre) Taylor & Lauren Batten Donna Bise Nancy & Dr. Kern Carlton Michele Carney Ann Marie Forbes Ann & Mark Kimbro

Sara Mayse Beth & Lee Neale Francisco & Margie Pinto-Leite Reemprise Fund Valerie & Jason Rhymer Al & Susan Stafford Donn & Dottie Toney

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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 $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 28

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

ENCORE! Our Volunteer Community JOIN US

Caryn Craige, ENCORE! President April Whitlock, Marketing Committee Chair Mitzi Lynch, Production Committee Co-Chair Sally Vlahos, Production Committee Co-Chair Teri Miller, Education Committee Co-Chair Melissa Dorsch, Education Committee Co-Chair Emily Agnew Mary Barlow Vicki Beachum Kate Buckfelder Julie Caldwell Nancy Carlton Leesa Clardy Gina Clegg Lisa Daniels Janny DeLoache Stowe Demarest Kendra Dodds Rachel Ellis Stacy Ellyson Jennifer Engel

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Christi Flansburg Amy Franklin Julia Golonka Beth Gage Elizabeth Gregg Gayle Hackney Jill Halverstam Kim Hanson Sally Harriss Marti Head Catherine Hensley Tammy Herrmann Kathi Knier Cynthia Lank Michele Managan

Tammy Jones, Outreach Committee Co-Chair Kerbie Neal, Outreach Committee Co-Chair Sallie Beason, Fall Event Chair Nichelle Weintraub, The Winter Wonderland Shop Chair Laura Walger, Celebrate! Chair Jennifer Martin Claire Marston Diana Jones Laurie Hutchins Mary-Margaret Kantor Heather McAllister Mary Ellen McElroy Mallory Miller Catherine Monroe Josie Morris Laura Murdock Beth Neale Suzy Nurkin Cookie Parnell Elizabeth Ponder

Mary Margaret Porter Kerri Porter Woods Potts Jennifer Plyler Sarah Ryan Ginger Seabrook Karen Shane Sherese Smith Susan Stafford Marsha Thrasher Brittany Vanderlinden Liz Waller Marsha Wiggins Katie Williams

Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds

Make Your Mark!

The Fletcher School empowers students with learning differences to achieve bright futures by offering an individualized, multisensory, college preparatory curriculum that prepares them to reach their full potential.

Join us for an Admissions Open House Visit www.thefletcherschool.org to sign up now!

The Lion and the Little Red Bird

(704) 365-4658 | @fletcherfalcons

NEXT UP: FEB 11-MAR 6 Tickets at ctcharlotte.org

Charlotte Latin School is an independent, non-sectarian, coeducational, collegepreparatory day school for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Lower School Theater Workshop performs excerpts from The Lion King, KIDS

9502 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 | CharlotteLatin.org | 704.846.7207

When I grow up I want to be...

Ready. For. Anything.

Ready to explore. Ready to create.

Ready for whatever life has in store for me. Country Day Ready.

Call or Come Visit: (704) 943-4530

charlottecountryday.org/Admissions

Bring this with you on your visit. We would love to see your masterpiece.

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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 10) School of Theatre Training (3rd through 12th Grade) Summer Camps (Ages 3 to 12th Grade)

LEARN MORE

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r o f s e i t A ctivi s Kid

When a young boy meets a librarian, his world expands and so does the power of possiblity.

Based on the true story of Mexican-American author and educator, Tomás Rivera, this inspirational story follows a migrant family from long days in the fields to nights spent together listening to Grandfather’s stories. Curiosity leads Tomás to the library where he gets lost in the happy imaginings of books and ultimately, writes his own story of success. Tomás becomes the first person of color appointed Chancellor in the University of California system with a library that now bears his name.

Visit the Pinterest page for more activities

1. Tomás has to move from place to place a

Top 3

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOW

lot in his story. What would it be like to have to move from your home? What would you miss the most and why?

2. When Tomás reads his imagination takes him into the story. If you could be a part of one of your favorite books, which one would it be and why?

3. Tomás’ relationship with the librarian has a huge impact on his life. Is there an adult that has helped you and your learning in a positive way?

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Reco m

me

d n

d a ing e R ed

Boys of Steel: The Creators of Superman

by Marc Tyler Nobleman My Dream of Martin Luther King

by Faith Ringgold They Called Her Molly Pitcher

by Anne Rockwell Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas

by Meghan McCarthy Young Pelé: Soccer’s First Star

by Lesa Cline-Ransome

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• Appreciation of a child’s

individuality • Lively, joyful learning • Real world experiences • A legacy of consistent

educational excellence

980-355-0900 2830 Dorchester Pl, Charlotte, NC 28209