2021-22 season Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba

BY CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE

Wells Fargo Playhouse November 6 - 14, 2021

BY MARGARITA ENGLE | ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY LM FELDMAN

IN-PERSON PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS

VIRTUAL

CHARLOTTE YOUTH CHOIR

VISUAL ART

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Arts education that adds up to something At Arts+, we know the benefits of arts education add up to more than painting lessons and piano recitals. Arts education has the power to transform lives, helping students tap into their artistic potential plus access the many other irreplaceable benefits of an arts education. Sign up today and start watching the benefits add up.

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Arts+ is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors.

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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Links WATCH THE :30 TRAILER >

Photos by John Merrick and Cindy Taylor

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

Contents 3

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S NOTE

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TITLE PAGE

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THE 2021-22 SEASON

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THE KINDNESS PROJECT

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CREATIVE TEAM/CAST/STAFF

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE

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ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

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CAST BIOS

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

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SUPPORTERS & DONORS

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ENCORE! VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY

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EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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ACTIVITIES

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba

By Margarita Engle Adapted for the stage by LM Feldman Adapted from TROPICAL SECRETS. Copyright © 2009 by Margarita Engle.

Performed by arrangement with Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.

All rights reserved.

Director David Winitsky Scenic Designer Anita J. Tripathi Costume Designer Magda Guichard Lighting Designer Robyn Warfield Composer Raphael Torn Sound Designer Tyler Knowles Dramaturg Carmen Pelaez Dramaturg Wendy Bable

Run time 75 minutes 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 by:

Dorlisa & Peter Flur Linda Reynolds* Travis & Lise Hain* The Leon Levine Foundation - Sandra & Leon Levine

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.

A very special thanks to Dorlisa, Peter and Arella Flur for their generous support of Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba as part of The Kindness Project.

* 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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one small gesture can change the world

The Kindness Project is an initiative from Children’s Theatre of Charlotte to develop and commission original plays for young audiences that are grounded in actively displaying kindness toward others. Since it’s inception, four world-premiere plays including Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba have been produced. Read more at ctcharlotte.org/kindness

Last Stop on Market Street

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

The Invisible Boy

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba

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.

Share your story #CTCKindnessProject

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CREATIVE TEAM Director – David Winitsky Scenic Designer – Anita J. Tripathi Costume Designer – Magda Guichard Lighting Designer - Robyn Warfield Composer – Raphael Torn Sound Designer – Tyler Knowles Dramaturg – Carmen Pelaez Dramaturg – Wendy Bable CAST Daniel – Adrian Thornburg Paloma – Isabel Gonzalez David – Tom Scott Papa – Frank Dominguez Marta – Margaret Dalton Miriam – Paula Baldwin Child – Calvin Mar Percussionist – Raphael Torn Pianist – Ariacne Trujillo Durand

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UNDERSTUDIES Iesha Nyree Meade Morrison FOR THIS PRODUCTION Stage Manager – Laura Beth Lee Deck Chief – Michael Swager Sound Mixer – Brandy Brogden Light Board Operator – Jamaas Britton Wardrobe Supervisor – Loren Moody Dialect Coach - Jill Bloede Associate Scenic Designer - Ben Semposki SPECIAL THANKS Leslie Niessner, Claire Hilton, Charlotte Christian School Fine Arts Department

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 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 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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COSTUME DESIGN

Paloma’s costume for the carnival scene consisted of a cape and hat. The hat was made from scratch with a buckram base covered with blue peachskin then white organza “feather” fabric, and white ostrich feathers up the back. An elastic was added to keep it on her head.

SET DESIGN

Did you know that creating a 3D model is one of the first steps to our set design process? From here, the world of the stage and the story comes together to create something remarkable. The final set for the show contains a half a ton of steel!

The masks (and the head on the pole) were made using a 3D paper pattern, printed on to paper that was adhered to cardstock and taped together. Gaffer’s tape was used as an adhesive fabric and was coated in spray-on plasti-dip before being painted in the style of Carnival masks and costumes from the 1930s and 1940s.

LIGHTING DESIGN

Lighting is an integral part of any show. Cues are used to designate a scene change or set a certain mood during the show.

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Note From the Director When Adam [artistic director] first contacted me about this project, I had two immediate thoughts: a) this is going to be awesome because the Kindness Project is genius, and b) how can we tell a different kind of Holocaust story?

Because I’m going to say something a bit controversial here: I don’t believe that the goal of Holocaust education - particularly for young people - should be “Never Forget”. If every child in the U.S. had every date and event in the horrendous history of this pivotal 20th Century moment implanted in their brain, that would only solve half of the equation. Knowledge of the past is critical to preventing its recurrence. However, I believe that the goal of Holocaust education is to inspire action in today’s world.

I am so lucky that Adam, the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and my great collaborator, playwright LM Feldman, were brave enough to take that leap towards action, and to embark on a journey to find a new story. We read dozens of great pieces of Holocaust literature for youth until we came upon Margarita Engle’s fascinating and unexpected Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba.

This story pulls no punches, and it never takes a child’s intelligence or experience for granted. It recognizes that, as one of our protagonists says “Bad things happen to children. And Bad things happen to the people children love.” In this story, parents leave and families are pulled apart at the border. Loved ones are killed and relationships are torn asunder across the ocean. As hard as they are, we believe that kids can see and grapple with these things. They see them in the world around them every day.

What is so remarkable about our heroes, Daniel and Paloma, is that even as they feel the full weight of these events in their lives, they go ahead and do something better. They respond to each other’s needs with kindness, they respond to the

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Note From the Director cont’d people in need around them with strong action, and they respond to the needs of strangers at risk with bravery and big dreams. These actions - these deeds of kindness - are at the heart of this story.

It is my great hope that all the educators who encounter this play talk about this with their students, and all the parents talk about it with their children. Please, tell them about the history of the Holocaust. Tell them about the darkness and the pain. But then talk about these two young people, and how they responded. Talk to your kids about how they are capable of the same.

This is what we need from Holocaust education: generations of kids who know in their bones that the key to preventing future anti-Semitism - or racism, or misogyny or xenophobia or any other kind of unfounded hatred - is acts of kindness and bravery in the present.

Thank you for watching our show. I hope it inspires you to kindness.

David Winitsky

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About the Playwright L M Feldman is a queer, feminist playwright and deviser.

She loves theater that is brave, physical, honest, and slightly impossible. Her plays include THRIVE, OR WHAT YOU WILL (American Shakespeare Center, Kitchen Dog New Works Festival, New Georges Audrey Residency, Page 73 Residency, InterAct Core Playwrights); ANOTHER KIND OF SILENCE (Colorado New Play Festival, FEWW Prize Honorable Mention, Magic Theatre Play Festival, Sewanee Writers’ Conference, PlayPenn Conference, Playwrights Realm Fellowship); AMANUENSIS, OR THE MILTONS (Emerson Stage, Georgetown University, Northwoods Ramah Theatre commission); THE EGG-LAYERS (Jane Chambers Honorable Mention, New Georges/Barnard College co-commission); GRACE, OR THE ART OF CLIMBING (Denver Center, Brown Paper Box Co., Art House Productions, Nice People Theatre, ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award Nomination, Barrymore Nomination); and A PEOPLE (Orbiter 3, YiddishFest, Jewish Plays Project); as well as several ensemble-devised works, including GUMSHOE (New Paradise Labs + the Free Library of Philadelphia + the Rosenbach Museum), WAR OF THE WORLDS: PHILADELPHIA (Swim Pony + Drexel University), AND IF YOU LOSE YOUR WAY, OR A FOOD ODYSSEY (The Invisible Dog, New York Innovative Theatre Award Nomination), LADY M (Philadelphia Live Arts Festival), and the full-length circus-theater show TINDER & ASH (SummerStage NYC, Orchard Project Residency, TOHU Residency).

She has been nominated for the Wendy Wasserstein Prize, Barrie and Bernice Stavis Playwright Award, the Doric Wilson Independent Playwright Award, and twice for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.

Photo (above) by Joanna Eldredge Morrissey

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About the Playwright cont’d An alumna of the Yale School of Drama and the New England Center for Circus Arts, L is also a contemporary circus artist. She has performed works of circus-theater internationally, and she works as an artistic coach/dramaturg for circus artists around the country. She loves theater that moves, and circus that tells stories. L has lived in seven cities and is now based in Philadelphia – where she is a proud member of Orbiter 3, a New Georges Affiliated Artist, and a teacher and coach of playwriting and contemporary circus. TROPICAL SECRETS: HOLOCAUST REFUGEES IN CUBA is her newest play. These days she’s working on an EST/ Sloan commission about the Mercury 13 (13 female astronaut candidates who fought for the right to go to space). www.laurenfeldman.com

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Cast

Adrian Thornburg (Daniel) is so happy to be working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte again, especially to bring such a timely and impactful story to live audiences. His previous roles include Brian in the world premiere production of The Invisible Boy, Stink in Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt, and Jimmy Biddle in Pete the Cat. He also played Daniel in the last production of Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba when it was filmed for online audiences and is thrilled to return to him. He also got to play Feste in a Zoom production of Twelfth Night that he and some of his friends threw together, which was not professional but very fun and fulfilling, nevertheless.

Isabel Gonzalez (Paloma) is a graduate of The University Of North Carolina at Charlotte and is thrilled to be back at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte! You may have seen her on our stages in The Invisible Boy (Sophie) and Grimmz Fairy Tales (Player 3) and our virtual season where she first did Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba (Paloma) and was a part of our Drama League nominated production of Grimmz Fairy Tales (Player 3). Recent credits include Migrant X (Hue-Hue) at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Spoon River Anthology (Actor 8) with The Charlotte Symphony. She would like to thank everyone for supporting her journey thus far! Her next adventure you ask?! Madagascar: A Musical Adventure at the Levine Jewish Community Center.

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Tom Scott (David) is very honored and excited with his debut at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. He has been a stage actor for a very long time, with progressively older and older roles. Some of his favorites, some of which you may have heard of, include C.K. Dexter Haven in The Philadelphia Story, Edgar Cayce in The Freak, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Harold in Orphans, Rembrandt in Rembrandt’s Gift, and Ray in Yankee Tavern. Noteworthy is that fact that Tom has never missed a performance, not one, ever. He is a retired Industrial Hygienist and spends some of his waking hours serving the Cumberland County Schools in Tennessee showing kids how great they are.

Frank Dominguez (Papa) attended Adelphi University on a theater scholarship along with classmate Jonathan Larson, creator of the musical Rent. He received graduate degrees in Drama and Communications from the University of New Orleans where he was a member of the Resident Acting Company. Local credits as an actor and director include Theatre Charlotte, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Charlotte, and Opera Carolina. Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba marks Frank’s first production at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte – finally, after thirty-five years in the Queen City! When not on stage, Frank is radio host of the Night Music on 89.9 WDAV Classical Public Radio, as well as Concierto, a national classical music program presented in English and Spanish.

Cast

Margaret Dalton (Marta) is delighted to be returning to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. Past credits here include: Older Wendy in Peter Pan, Blue Dog in Go, Dog. Go!, Mrs. Barrington in Grace for President, The Woman in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Ella Cinders in Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz Age Cinderella, Sally in The Cat in the Hat, and a season with the resident touring company. Other select professional credits include: five tours with the National Theatre for Children, a national tour of The Taffetas (Cheryl), a regional tour of Miss Nelson is Missing!

(Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp), Evil Dead: The Musical (Linda), Hatfields & McCoys (Nancy McCoy), Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene), and High School Musical (Gabriella). Ms. Dalton received her Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Elon University.

Paula Baldwin (Miriam) is an award-winning actor, director and retired theatre educator.

The virtual production of this show marked her debut with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and she is thrilled to be back to perform this beautiful play for live audiences. Paula is no stranger to local theatre patrons having performed with Three Bone Theatre, Central Piedmont Community College Summer Theatre, Matthews Playhouse, Carolina Actors Studio Theatre and Theatre Charlotte. Some of her favorite recent roles include: Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Annie in Foxfire, Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Barbara in August: Osage County, Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath, Big Edie in Grey Gardens and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! She holds a Master

of Fine Arts degree in Acting/ Directing from University of North Carolina-Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Catawba College where she was recently inducted into the Blue Masque Hall of Fame.

Calvin Jia-Hao Mar (Child) is thrilled to return to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte stage after his debut in the production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical as Nigel.

He is currently a freshman at Northwest School of the Arts, majoring in Musical Theatre. A special thanks to his wonderful and caring theatre community for all their support and inspiration, and this opportunity to perform for you all.

MEET THE CAST > 21

Creative Team David Winitsky (Director) is the Interim Producing Artistic Director at the Kitchen Theatre in Ithaca, NY and founder of the Jewish Plays Project, a new play incubator in New York City. Directing and Assisting: Broadway, off-Broadway, and regionally at Papermill Playhouse and Steppenwolf Theater.

NYC: Displaced Wedding (New Worlds Theatre Project). A Wonderful Flat Thing (14th St Y), Brooke Berman’s Until We Find Each Other (Best of Festival, MITF). Regional: The Assignment by Camillo Almonacid, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Our Dad is in Atlantis by Javier Malpica and The Fantasticks. With the JPP, David has developed 50 plays, 30 of which have gone on to production and further development in New York, London, Canada, Tel Aviv and around the U.S. He is a Fellow of UJA’s Institute for Jewish Executive Leadership at Columbia Business School, a Storahtelling/LabShul Maven, a 2014-17 UpStart National Fellow, a 2013 LABA Artist Fellow, and a 2011 PresenTense New York City Fellow. Previous leadership roles include Playwrights Theater (Producing Director), What Exit? Comedy Theater (Co-Artistic Director), and the Obie Award-winning HERE Arts Center (General Manager). MFA in Directing (Northwestern); BA in Mathematics (Cornell). Proud husband of Elizabeth Samet, and thankful father of Ezekiel (20) and Alexander (17).

Anita J. Tripathi (Scenic Designer) is the Assistant Professor of Design and Technology at Davidson College and is super excited to be working on the world premiere of Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugess in Cuba. Her professional design credits include Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Playmakers Repertory Summer Youth Conservatory, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (LORT B), Greenbrier Valley Theatre and The Virginia Stage Company (LORT D, resident scene designer). She has also worked regionally as both a properties master and scenic charge and has assisted Tony Award-winning designer David Gallo on a number of productions. In 2013, the World Stage Design Exhibition featured her work as a finalist, and she received a United States Institute for Theatre Technology Fellowship to support her research in India. Anita earned a Master of Fine Arts in scene design from the University of South Carolina, and is a member

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of United Scenic Artists Local 829. View more of her design work at anitajtripathi.com.

Magda Guichard (Costume Designer) has been working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for eight years, designing costumes for such shows as The Velveteen Rabbit, GRIMMZ Fairy Tales, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, The Cat in the Hat, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, The Ghost of Splinter Cove and Coraline as well as the designing and creating of Dragon in The Reluctant Dragon. Magda earned her Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design in production design with a costume design focus. Magda is thrilled to call Children’s Theatre of Charlotte home and thanks her friends and, above all, her parents for their love and supporting her artistic journey.

Robyn Warfield (Lighting Designer) is excited to be working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for her fourth season. She graduated with her MFA in Design from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Professionally, she has worked for companies like Paper Lantern Theatre Company in Winston-Salem NC, the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith NH, First Maria LLC in NYC, Classics in Color in NYC, The Ark Theatre Company in Egremont MA, Shakespeare and Company in Lenox MA, and Berkshire Dance Theatre in Adams MA. www.rkwdesign.com Raphael Torn (Composer) is a percussionist and composer based in New York City. He was featured as a percussionist in the hit musical Disney’s The Lion King in Las Vegas, Shanghai and New York City. Raphael also toured the world for 2 years with Cirque du Soleil. Other major credits include performances with Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra and the multiple grammy award winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. Raphael is a proud member of the musicians union Local 802, and holds a BA from NYU (’02) and an MFA from NJCU (’20).

Creative Team cont’d Tyler Knowles (Sound Designer) is thrilled to be returning to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for his third season and working on The Velveteen Rabbit! Tyler received his BFA and MFA in Sound Design and Technology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Tyler has recently worked on 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.

Carmen Pelaez (Dramaturg) is an award-winning actor and writer and filmmaker and is honored to work on Tropical Secrets with such a wonderful and caring team. Previous work includes Rum & Coke (Off-Broadway), Fake (Miami New Drama), The Acting Lesson (HBO Latino) and Mango Season (Festival Circuit). She has also written for the New York Times, NBC Latino, Huffpo and Marie Claire.

She just completed a 3 month run of 7 Deadly Sins and is currently she is working on her play The Cuban Vote for Miami New Drama and developing the series Tropical Beasts. You can follow her

exploits on insta @carmenmpelaez or twitter @ carmenpelaez Wendy Bable (Dramaturg) is a freelance director, dramaturg, and writer who creates theatrical encounters for both young audiences and adults, and specializes in the development of new work. Her artistic practice explores the intersection between theatre-making, neurodiversity, and the cognitive-emotional benefits of play. She was nominated for Best Director by the Austin Critic’s Table for her work on Seussical, the Musical and Still Life with Iris, was selected for ASSITEJ International Directing Seminar cohort in Cologne, Germany, and has been named a Winifred Ward Scholar by the American Alliance for Theater and Education. Wendy’s direction of The Transition of Doodle Pequeño was featured at the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices festival, and she was a member of the devising artistic team that created [SHIFT] with the National Theatre of Scotland. She is currently collaborating with director David Shiner and playwright Juliette Dunn on The Puzzle, is a writer for TYA/USA, and is the President of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY.) LM Feldman (Playwright) Learn more here.

WATCH THE TALK BACK WITH CREATIVES AND THE COMMUNITY > Steven Levine, Director of Production at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, moderates the discussion with invited guests who were involved in the show and members of the local Jewish community: LM Feldman (Playwright and Adaptor), Raphael Torn (Composer and Musician), David Winitsky (Director), Susan Cherin (Director of Cultural Arts for the Levine Jewish Community Center in Charlotte), and Penina Polsky (student from Randolph IB Middle School).

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r u O s r e t r o p p u S Corporate and foundation partners help Children’s Theatre of Charlotte extend programming to more than 250,000 young people an families throughout the region.

We thank all of our supporters for their kindness and for helping us fuel our mission to inspire generations to explore the wonder of their world.

Want to see how you can get involved?

WAYS TO GIVE

MAKE A GIFT

By making a gift to Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, you are linking arms with families who believe in the power, relevance and positive impact of exceptional theatre experiences. Your gift will support the development of dreams, the connection of family, the transfer of hope, the experience of joy and the fulfillment of wonder.

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Birthdays

Charlotte Latin’s Middle School performed Annie JR, Winter 2020

November Oliver Brooks Emily Caldwell Evan Scholl Zoe Scholl Jillian Star Benjamin Smith Ryland Weintraub Maggie Williams

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

9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277

CharlotteLatin.org | 704.846.7207

Donors can wish their child a happy birthday in our playbill.

Find out how you can participate by clicking here or by calling our Development office at 704-973-2804.

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Our Supporters PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR Bank of America Foundation

LEADING ROLE PARTNER ($1,000 to $2,999)

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 October 22, 2021.

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* Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gonzalez Travis & Lise Hain* Matthew & Ashley Joseph* Mitchell Kelling Bruce & Anita LaRowe Howard & Julie Levine Jennifer & Eric Madara Ann & Scott Manning Pat Burgess & Joan Martin* Brian & Laura Murdock* Jennifer & Jack Ross The Sario Family ($3,000 - $4,999) Herb & Gina Clegg* Rob & Caryn Craige John & Nancy Dickson The Hensley Family* Ryan & Danielle Hutcheson* Ken & Lisa Miller* Maddie & Brian Myers* Stacia and Charlie Neugent* Linda Reynolds* Angela & Josh Scholl* Brad & Whitney Vineyard* Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub* Judith & Matthew Whelan*

April & Thomas Whitlock* ($1,000 - $2,999) Stephen & Carolyn Allred Allyson & Scott Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Babcock Kristin Black* Crandall Bowles* Mary Alice Boyd Andrea Brown* Tamara Budz Mike and Katie Burgess Danielle & Adam Burke Julie & Stoke Caldwell* John & Tracy Chandler 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* 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 Seah & Robert McCammon Valecia McDowell Salem & Sean McMullan

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Our Supporters cont’d Jenny & Bill Merlo* Teri Miller David Miller, In Honor of Auctus Advisors Clients Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve Kerbie & Brandon Neal* Anna & Tom Nelson John & Suzy Nurkin John & Ann Porter The Porter Family 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 ($500 - $999) Zack Budzichowski Elizabeth & Anthony Cassano Dallas & Kathy Craven Ina DeRochi Melissa Dorsch Kurtis Douge Patrick & Doreen English Vickie & Tom Gabbard Mohan Giridharadas John & Mara Gose Sally & Drew Harriss Steve & Mary Hunting John Curry Louise & Jerry Lawson The Viola Alexander Lyles Foundation David & Laurie Martin 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* Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn Amy Vitner Brian & Laura Walger* Jennifer Plyler & Bert Wray

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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 The Duda Family Katharine Dullaghan Rachel & Rob Ellis* John Gibbon* Courtney Guin Mr. Frank Hruby & Mrs. Tatyana Rector Josh & Liana Humphrey 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 Alicia Prescott Caroline Olzinski Jerry & Cookie Parnell Catherine Philpott Rich & Woods Potts The Qasim Family Andy & Emily Reynolds* Angela Shane Molly Shaw & David Webb Carol Smitherman Carrie & J.T. Teixeira Kathleen Valenti Amy Vavra The Waller Family LeeAnne & Bill Whitley* Louise & Dick Woods*

Our Supporters cont’d ($100 - $249) Natalie Alston Karen Aman, Dave, Matthew, & Joshua Edwards* Mike & Kellye Arning Mary & Clint Barlow David Barnaba Megan Bates Taylor & Lauren Batten* Sallie & Gary Beason* Dina Beelaert Mr. & Mrs. Alan Blumenthal Mike & Jane Bufkin 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* Gary & Pushpa Gross Nachette Hadden 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 Anonymous

Tanisha LaShun Tony & Sarah Lathrop* Ava & Jake Leblanc Sandra & Leon Levine Steven Levine & Shawnna Pledger Jennie & Louis Loyd John & Robin Maxwell Mary Ellen & Chuck McElroy Linda Miller, In Memory of Sarah Peacock Lee & Beth Neale* Christine Noah* Anna Patel Daniel Peterson Kirk & Stephanie Phipps* Emily Porges Mr. & Mrs. Jason Rhymer* Melissa Robertson Jennifer Schaperjohn Whitney Seeburg Howard Sendrovitz & David Sinclair Julie Sheffer Laura Shwedo John Slechta Robert Squibb Joe & Rosalind Taylor Hank West Marsha E. Wiggins Dr. Gabrielle Williams ($50 - $99) Aurora Achong Ana Acosta Alex Aguilar Michael & Catherine Aldridge Matthew Amrit Anonymous Donor Lizzy Bakhaus Sekiya Billman Donna Bise & Greg Ring* Mary Budd Ms. Shirley Butterworth Flannery Clair Kelly Clair Annie Clarke Roger & Ginny Cobb* Robin Cochran Arlie Crumbliss

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Our Supporters cont’d Blair Donald* Corey Easterday Cheryl Endy Kate Fletcher Curt Flood & Kay James & Berri Flood Emily Forfar Jordan Gougeon Natasha Grant-Dean Ms. Mary Hackenberg Tim Hager* Browning Hemric Kristina & Thomas Hoops Jinna Kim Louis Leone Bill Martin & Jennifer Davis-Martin Patricia Massey Hoke Ariel & Brad Gritter Emily Mills Adam Montague Will Moody Michael Murphy Tracie Northan Ashley & Daniel Norton

Catherine & Rob Odum* Catherine Ogburn Kelly Parks Yogini Parmar Stephanie Poliakoff Elizabeth Ponder Ellen Rankin Shannon & Rob Reichley Stanley Ruppe Carrie Schwanter Brandon Scott Aubree Slaven Matt & Sherese Smith Kathy & Bill Southerland* Kristin Tart Lindsey Trueman Judson Vann Sarah Verardo Cassie Ward Jayke Watson James Weng 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 Crandall Bowles Nancy & Dr. Kern Carlton Michele Carney Roger & Ginny Cobb Tom & Julie Eiselt Rachel & Rob Ellis Ann Marie Forbes Vickie & Tom Gabbard

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Tim Hager David & Marti Head Lois Kilkka Ann & Mark Kimbro Charles & Brenda LaBorde David & Laurie Martin Sara Mayse Beth & Lee Neale Christine Noah Kirk & Stephanie Phipps Francisco & Margie Pinto-Leite John & Ann Porter

Reemprise Fund Andy & Emily Reynolds Valerie & Jason Rhymer Kathy & Bill Southerland Al & Susan Stafford Donn & Dottie Toney Laura Walger LeeAnne & Bill Whitley

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

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ENCORE! Our Volunteer Community 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

JOIN US 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

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba

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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Celebrate

the holiday season!

Tickets to THE VELVETEEN RABBIT on sale now. Visit ctcharlotte.org for details.

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Classes and Camps

AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers a wide variety of online and in-person classes and camps for your family. Through our education programs, your child will build confidence, develop speaking, leadership and problem-solving 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 38

Testimonial “Theatre and music emphasize teamwork, kindness, open-mindedness, imagination, creativity, selfconfidence, self-worth, empathy, and a sense of accomplishment. The classes in our School of Theatre Training allow students to express themselves in creative constructive ways and support the growth of those skills. The curriculum is process rather than product based.”

- Sarah Provencal, Teaching Artist

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r o f s e i t A ctivi s Kid Kindness casts a welcomed light against the dark shadow of the Holocaust.

11-year-old Daniel has escaped Nazi Germany and finds himself alone on the shores of Havana, Cuba. He meets spirited 10-yearold Paloma who has some painful secrets of her own. Through their

unlikely bond, she introduces Daniel to the language, music and history of Cuban culture.

However, once Cuba enters the war these two young friends are faced with some dangerous choices that will ultimately test their friendship. This production is part of The Kindness Project.

Visit the Pinterest page for more activities

Top 3

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOW

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1. What is a refugee? Why do people become refugees? What situations may lead to their circumstances?

2. Daniel struggles at the beginning of the story with language. How might it feel to have to live in a new country where you don’t speak the language? What are some things in daily life that may be difficult if you are unable to communicate or understand what others around you are saying?

3. Music plays a key role in the story. What are some of the times that music is important and how does it help the characters?

Rec om

m

ne d

a d e i n R g d e Inside Out and Back Again

by Thanhha Lai Santiago’s Road Home

by Alexandra Diaz Refugee

by Alan Gratz 90 Miles to Havana

by Enrique Flores-Galbis Other Words for Home byJasmine Warga Until I Find Julian

by Patricia Reilly Giff 41

• 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