The Velveteen Rabbit playbill

The Velveteen Rabbit

BY CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE

On Demand

December 2020 - March 2021 ADAPTED BY MICHELLE HOPPE-LONG I BASED ON THE BOOK BY MARGERY WILLIAMS

#CelebrateTheArts

Pictured above: Providence Day Middle Schoolers performed the musical ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ in February.

A Lot of Livin’ To Do Providence Day is home to an award-winning performing arts program where students are free to unleash their creativity and self-expression.

ProvidenceDay.org/CelebrateTheArts

From the r o t c e r i D Artistic What an extraordinary year! While there is no way to downplay the impact this year has had on our community, there is much to be grateful for as we look to the future. This past year has been an opportunity for reflection for our community as well as our organization. The opening words of our new production, GRIMMZ Fairy Tales, are:

again work with playwright and director Gloria Bond Clunie on her production of My Wonderful Birthday Suit. It is an exploration of how very young children tackle very big ideas. The young people in this story begin with a simple observation that Oobladah makes about Shebopshebe:

“What choo’ gon’ do, When the time comes for you?

Step up and deliver, Or stand there and shiver?”

And our season opens with a brand-new adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit. This play asks questions about sickness and healing, love and loss, and finally asks, what is real. Thank you for supporting us during this extraordinary year and for joining us on this journey.

I can’t think of a more apropos charge to our young audiences and, really, to ourselves. The Kindness Project continues this season with our world premiere of Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba. For our youngest audiences, we are happy to once

“Your skin is brown.”

Adam Burke

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Photos by John Merrick

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TITLE PAGE

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SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SEASON INFORMATION

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

DONORS & SUPPORTERS

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DIRECTOR’S NOTE

CAST BIOS

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CREATIVE TEAM/CAST/STAFF

EDUCATION INFORMATION

ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

The Velveteen Rabbit ADAPTED BY MICHELLE HOPPE-LONG BASED ON THE BOOK BY MARGERY WILLIAMS Run time 60 minutes

Director Melissa Ohlman-Roberge Stage Manager Brenna Skinnon Scenic Designer Andrew Gibbon Costume Designer Magda Guichard Lighting Designer Robyn Warfield Composer David M. Greenberg Sound Designer Tyler Knowles

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

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Celebrating Our Virtual Season Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is proud to partner with Broadway On Demand as the curtain rises virtually on a season of stories centered in community and kindness.

Buy On Demand

The Velveteen Rabbit December 2020 For all ages

GRIMMZ Fairy Tales January 2021 For ages 7+

My Wonderful Birthday Suit February 2021 For ages 4+

Tropical Secrets: Holocaust Refugees in Cuba March 2021 For ages 8+ 9

CREATIVE TEAM Director - Melissa Ohlman-Roberge Stage Manager – Brenna Skinnon Scenic Designer – Andrew Gibbon Costume Designer – Magda Guichard Lighting Designer – Robyn Warfield Composer – David M. Greenberg Sound Designer – Tyler Knowles CAST Courtney Reasoner – The Boy Alex Aguilar – Nana/Velveteen Rabbit Rasheeda Moore – Mother/Fairy

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FOR THIS PRODUCTION Deck Chief – Jordan Garon Electricians - Brandy Brogden, Jordan Garon, Chris Hanson, Josh Lucero, Chelsea Retalic Wardrobe Supervisor – Colette Adatto Stitchers – Chelsea Retalic, Allison Collins Props/Crafts Artisan – Chelsea Retalic Stunt Rabbit – Brambles SPECIAL THANKS Carrie Cranford, Cindy Taylor, Maryann O’Keeffe, Louise Lawson, Spencer Clair, Jayke Watson, Suzy Nurkin, Mary-Margaret Kantor, Maeve Merrick, Christi Flansburg, Hannah Campos, Ryan Campos, Mitzi Lynch, Lourdes Mattar, Tina Butte, John Merrick, Jay Thomas and video crew

STAFF OF THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE Artistic Director – Adam Burke 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 Community Initiatives Leader - Arlethia Hailstock Production Director of Production - Steven Levine Interim Costume Shop Manager & Crafts Specialist- Magda Guichard Cutter/Draper - Colette Adatto Properties Manager - Cassie Ward Technical Director - Andrew Gibbon Master Carpenter - John Slechta Charge Scenic Artist - Tim Parati Resident Sound Designer/A-V Supervisor - Tyler Knowles Master Electrician - Robyn Warfield Education Director of Education - Michelle Long Early Childhood & SOTT Manager - Adam Montague Administrative Assistant - Stephanie Hurtado-Hoyos Resident Teaching Artist - Karen Steele Advancement Director of Advancement – Spencer Clair Associate Director of Advancement - Scott Tynes-Miller Development Coordinator - Olivia Horton Marketing and Communications Director of Marketing and Communications - Cindy Taylor Associate Director of Marketing - Rob Odum Box Office Sales Manager - Jayke Watson Social Media Maven – Alex Aguilar Sales and Marketing Analyst - Nick Taylor 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 Secretary - Angela Scholl Sallie Beason Kristin Black Mary Alice Boyd Maddie Myers Julio Colmenares Ryan Hutcheson William Jefferson Mitchell Kelling Shirley Lamm Catherine Malone Lisa Miller Brian Murdock Mallory Navin Kerbie Neal Kristen Sario Chris Socha Bradley Vineyard Nichelle Weintraub Judith Whelan Thomas Whitlock Members Emeritus Robin Branstrom Carla DuPuy Cynthia Lank Linda Lockman-Brooks

Advisory Board Robin Branstrom Tom Eiselt Jami Farris Peter Flur Gina Lawrence ENCORE! President April Whitlock

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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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SHADOW PUPPETS It took a week to create the shadow puppets seen here. The process involved research to first understand how rabbits moved followed by the creation of a mock-up of the rabbit figure.

Nine versions later, the final puppets were ready to make their debut. Then, the cast rehearsed to make sure they were comfortable working with the puppets while providing their voices to tell the story.

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 come together to create something remarkable.

COSTUME DESIGN The Costume Shop designed the pieces for each character as well as the fairy mask and five stuffed rabbits that are seen in the show.

LIGHTING DESIGN Lighting is an integral part of any show. In The Velveteen Rabbit there are 133 light cues which means the light changes that many times to indicate a scene change or create a certain mood during the show.

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r o t c e r i D e h t m o r F Note Transformation. Reincarnation. Perception.

Reality. And the Power of Love to affect it all.

Heady themes for a children’s story and yet Margery Williams gives us all these and more through the eyes of the simplest of toys: a plump stuffed rabbit with soft pink ears and a huge heart. Layer on all that 2020 has brought, and it’s not surprising that the creation of this reimagined version of The Velveteen Rabbit offered multiple learning opportunities for all involved.

As a company, we faced many of the same challenges as the Velveteen Rabbit: In the age of bells and whistles, how do we give POWER to a text from 1922, rich with simple values of times-gone-by?

What is REAL? Given often conflicting information, how do we create a safe space in which to work?

How do we TRANSFORM the artform we LOVE – a living, breathing artform meant to be experienced live and in the moment – into a compelling story for the small screen?

Will this REINCARNATED form of theatre be PERCEIVED with the same immediacy as the live version? We conceived and produced the entire piece – from design to curtain call – as if there would be an audience.

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Will the “theatre magic” translate?

I’ll be honest, it wasn’t always an easy process. We stumbled often. We disagreed. We brainstormed. We regrouped. In the end, we strove to be patient with one another and tried hard to keep it real. I held onto the words of the wise old Rocking Horse as he counsels the newbie Velveteen Rabbit: “Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. “Sometimes, but when you are Real, you don’t mind being hurt,” said the Horse.

“Does it happen all at once?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Horse. “ You become. It takes a long time.

That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes dropout and you get loose in your joints and very shabby.

But these things don’t matter, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

Thank you for tuning in. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for your grace as we launch this most unusual season. I hope you enjoy the show!

Melissa Ohlman-Roberge

Cast

ALEX AG U I L A R

R A S H E E DA MOORE

COURTNEY REASONER

(Nana/Velveteen Rabbit) could not be happier returning to perform with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in their new virtual season.

He is a man of many hats working with the Theatre as a Resident Actor, Dance Captain, Teaching Artist, and now the organization’s Social Media Maven. Aguilar has performed professionally in Charlotte since 2004 and graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2017 with degrees in Dance and Biology. He has trained in dance at UNC Charlotte, various ballroom studios, and Debbie Allen Dance Academy where he received recognition. Previous theatre credits include: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Rocky, Magill, Martha, Dr. Shears, and Maxwell), Spelling 2-5-5 (Simon), Rapunzel (Rafi), and Shrek: The Musical (Donkey).

(Mother/Fairy) is excited to work with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s resident touring company for a third year. While touring she’s enjoyed such roles as Diane in Spelling 2-5-5, Nan in Rapunzel, Gate Keeper in The Littlest Angel, and Violet in Beauty and the Beast. Rasheeda also enjoys working with Queen City Comedy on their various sketch comedy, and improvisation projects.

She earned her BA from Greensboro College, and her MFA from The University of Southern Mississippi.

(The Boy) is excited to be back with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for her second season after performing last year as a member of their Touring Company, where she brought to life Julia (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs) and Hilda Meisberg (Accidental Friends).

Other theatre credits include: James and the Giant Peach (Spider); Miss Nelson is Missing (Allison); Little Women (Beth March); You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally); The Little Mermaid (Ariel); and Beauty and the Beast (Belle).

Courtney worked as a soprano soloist and vocalist at Church of the Apostles in Columbia, SC since 2016 before moving to Charlotte. She has her BA in Music with a concentration in vocal performance.

Creative Team Melissa Ohlman-Roberge (Director) has worked professionally in the arts as a director, performer, mentor, and educator for 35+ years. She is thrilled to be returning to Children’s Theatre, having directed A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt and the touring productions of Rapunzel and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Originally from Connecticut, Melissa began the North Carolina chapter of her directing career with Theatre Charlotte’s 1991 production of Annie. With more than 90 directorial credits for her name, Melissa has created a wide variety of productions from largescale musicals (Ragtime, Carrie, Big Fish, Tuck Everlasting, Brightstar, Catch Me If You Can) to drama/comedies (Wit, Red, The Effect of Gamma Rays, Peter and The Starcatcher); and small, intimate musicals (Title of Show, Next to Normal, Dogfight) to children’s theatre (House at Pooh Corner, Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss ‘n’ Boots). Melissa earned her Master of Fine Arts in directing from Florida State University and her Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Southern Connecticut University. She has opened three theatre spaces and two theatre companies, has developed curricula for pre-kindergarten through college and is a six-time recipient of the Metrolina Theatre Association Award for Outstanding Regional Director. Melissa lives in Huntersville with her husband, Kevin. They have three daughters, all of whom are active in the arts.

Brenna Skinnon (Stage Manager) is a Charlotte native who grew up watching Children’s Theatre of Charlotte productions. She holds a BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Other Children’s Theatre of Charlotte of credits include stage managing Pete the Cat, ASM/Student Supervisor for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and

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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Some of her favorite credits include stage management intern for Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles LOVE and Making Wishes Grow an annual variety show for a Make a Wish she does every year. Special thanks goes out her family and friends.

Andrew Gibbon (Scenic Designer) started scenic design at West Charlotte High School and then went to study at North Carolina School of the Arts and the Atlanta College of Art. As well as serving as Children’s Theatre’s Technical Director, Andrew has designed several Mainstage shows for Children’s Theatre including Holes, Cat in the Hat, Secret Life of Girls, and co-designed with Tim Parati, Petite Rouge and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. Andrew also has had the great joy of designing over fifty shows for our Education department’s OnStage program.

Magda Guichard (Costume Designer) has been working with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for seven years, designing costumes for such shows as 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 the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte for her third season.

Some noticeable work from CTC includes,

Creative Team cont’d A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, The Invisible Boy, and most recent, GRIMMZ Fairy Tales.

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. She graduated with her MFA in Design from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. www.rkwdesign.com David M. Greenberg (Composer) i s a regional sound designer and composer currently working in Kearney, Nebraska.

There he serves as the Audio Director for the College of Arts and Sciences, Sound Production Coordinator for the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and Director of the Sound Recording Technology Minor at the University of Nebraska Kearney. David hails from Plantation, Florida by way of Knoxville, Tennessee.

He received his BA in Theatre from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and his MFA in Theatre: Sound Design and Technology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His recent works include Macbeth, Comedy of Errors, and Guys & Dolls (Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre; Conway, AR), Comedy of Errors, King Lear (Optimist Theatre; Milwaukee, WI), Hit the Wall and La Bohéme, (Illinois Theatre; Urbana, IL), and She Kills Monsters (University Theatre at Kearney; Kearney, NE).

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.

Michelle Hoppe-Long (Playwright) is an accomplished director, writer, actress and educator who has worked in theatre, television and film for the past three decades, earning awards throughout her career for both stage and screen.

Her plays and musicals have been produced across the US and garnered recognition from the North Carolina Theatre Conference and the Southeastern Theatre Conference. She currently serves as the Director of Education at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, was a past recipient of the K-12 Theatre Educator of the Year award from the North Carolina Theatre Conference, and has served on the Board of Directors for NCTC and CITA. She has been an administrative judge for the Blumey’s from 2012-2019, has adjudicated for the Virginia Theatre Association and the Mississippi Theatre Association in theatre and playwriting, and been a part of new work development at CTC. Some of Michelle’s directing projects at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte include The Secret Garden, Tarzan the Musical, Grace for President, and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure for the Mainstage.

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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. Our family of donors and their generous support enables us to hire the best artists, designers and directors, bring new stories to life and support access initiatives like sensory-friendly performances and programs for families who receive public assistance.

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.

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.

Donate Now Learn More About Donor Benefits

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s y a d h t r i B DECEMBER

JANUARY

Anna Dorsch Wyatt Bove Alex Stiefel James Murdock Olivia Campos Caitlyn Endy Evelyn Beachum Davis Wiggins-Moore Ellie Wiggins-Moore Elliott Schuman Atlas Beachum Drew Misiaveg Lucas Elford

Ruby Mangan Seth Burke Journey Dixon Harry Duda Lilly Murchison Brandon Williams Garrett Murchison Fiona Stout Ainslee Kuykendal Ela Cokljat Penelope Long Coby Martin

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.

Our Supporters CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION PARTNERS EXECUTIVE PRODUCING PARTNERS ($50,000 and more) Arts & Science Council The Leon Levine Foundation Sandra and Leon Levine Women’s Impact Fund PRODUCING PARTNERS ($25,000 to $49,999) Bank of America Foundation Vanguard DIRECTING PARTNERS ($10,000 to $24,999) BlackArch Partners The Cam Newton Foundation C.D. Spangler Foundation, Inc. Continental Tire the Americas, LLC Daniel, Ratliff & Company PNC STANDING OVATION PARTNERS ($5,000 to $9,999) Carolina Panthers Charities Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Cornwell Foundation The Dickson Foundation, Inc. Edifice, Inc. SteelFab,Inc. CENTER STAGE PARTNERS ($3,000 to $4,999) The Daniel, Edward, Cora & Strickland Foundation LEADING ROLE PARTNER ($1,000 to $2,999)

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Ally Financial The Britton Foundation Charlotte Roller Derby ECM Solutions

Lancaster County Community Foundation Morgan Stanley Wealth Management New Day Wellness Center PLLC Union County Community Foundation INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DONORS LEADING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($25,000 & up) Rob & Kate Buckfelder Dorlisa & Peter Flur* ($10,000 - $24,999) Travis & Lise Hain* Arrington & Burch Mixon* Jennifer & Jack Ross The Sario Family Tammy Stringer & Richard Viola ($5,000 - $9,999) Robin & Bill Branstrom Danielle & Adam Burke Dr. Daniel Donner Bryan & Jami Farris The Hensley Family* Mitchell Kelling* Edward & Florence Kim Bruce & Anita LaRowe* Howard & Julie Levine Brian & Laura Murdock* Lisa & Glenn Sherrill Angela & Josh Scholl* Stephanie & Stephen Sorenson* Quanteer Williams ($3,000 - $4,999) Dr. Kristin Black Joan Martin & Patrick Burgess* Herb & Gina Clegg* John & Nancy Dickson Mr. & Mrs. Greg Gonzalez Ryan & Danielle Hutcheson LaKeisha & William Jefferson

Our Supporters cont’d Ashley & Matthew Joseph* Sarah & Mike Kaminski Catherine & Jerry Malone Maddie & Brian Myers Michelle & Tim Rogers* Mallory Navin & Joe Shreve* Charlie & Stacia Neugent* Linda Reynolds Kathleen & Anthony Sciacca Brad & Whitney Vineyard* ($1,000 - $2,999) Omid & Julie Ahdieh Stephen & Carolyn Allred Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Babcock Sallie & Gary Beason* Will Burton-Edwards Stoke & Julie Caldwell* John & Tracy Chandler Kathy & Dallas Craven Lisa & Jonathan Crotty Amy & Alfred Dawson Ryan Deal & John Leonard Jessica & Craig DeLucia Sidney & Andres Echevarria Christi & Will Farr Jami & Matt Fischer Beth & Gaston Gage* Wes Garber Watts & Carol Hamrick Brad & Karen Harris Scott & Claire Helm Laura & Jeff Hughes Steve & Mary Hunting Cynthia & Dave Lank* Bruce & Michelle Long Barbara & Doug Marken Heather & Scott McAllister Lisa & Ken Miller* Teri Miller In Memory of Jesse Millis by her family Meredith & John Murchison Kerbie & Brandon Neal* Anna & Tom Nelson John & Suzy Nurkin Carla & Ed Rose Kelly & Mike Shook Janet & Joshua Smith

Matt & Sherese Smith Laurel & Christopher Socha Susan & Al Stafford Patrick & Elizabeth Vaughn Greg & Sandra Vlahos Nichelle & Sasha Weintraub* Judith & Matthew Whelan* April & Thomas Whitlock* Jennifer Plyler & Bert Wray SUPPORTING PLAYERS SOCIETY ($500 - $999) Sylvia & Randy Allen Allyson Anderson Mary Alice Boyd* Anonymous Donor Stephanie Castles Debra & Keith Clark Veruska & Julio Colmenares Elizabeth Corcoran Rob & Caryn Craige Susan Anfin & Jim Doyle Tessa Dyer Patrick & Doreen English Marcie & Robert Gaines Shanna & Vance Hodges Kazuo & Miwa Ideshita Gina & George Jurch Jonathan & Anika Kim Jenny & Bill Merlo* Chelsea Rhodes Candace & Michael Salamone Julie Sheffer Silverman Foundation* Tricia & George Sistrunk Cindy & Rob Taylor*

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Our Supporters cont’d

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($250 - $499)

($100 - $249)

Mary-Stuart Parker Alderman Fund* Elizabeth & Benjamin Allison Kellye & Mike Arning Kimberly Augenbraun Meredith & Scott Barnette Dina Beelaert Anna & Matthew Brothers Ashley Bunn Lucy Bush Cherise Clark Stephanie & Russ Daniel Barry & Nancy Deel Melissa Dorsch The Duda Family Steve Dunn Heather & Greg Feldman Anna Lauren Fresk John & Doreen+ Gibbon Pam & Bill Giono* John & Mara Gose Sally & Drew Harriss Heather Henry Mr. Frank Hruby & Mrs. Tatyana Rector Tammy & Greg Jones Seah & Robert McCammon Loretta Mendes Andy & Shelley Misiaveg Caroline Olzinski Jerry & Cookie Parnell Margot & Steve Parrott Catherine Philpott Eric Rinehardt Rebecca & Benjamin Schultz Howard Sendrovitz & David Sinclair Carol Smitherman Colby Snyder Shandra Stout Rosalind & Joe Taylor Carrie & J.T. Teixeira Robin & Scott Tynes-Miller Elizabeth Waller Katherine Williams Louise & Dick Woods*

Jane Agee Karen Aman, Dave, Matthew, & Joshua Edwards* Mary & Clint Barlow The Dale Beachum Family Bina Bieker Mr. & Mrs. Alan Blumenthal Peggy & Steven Burke The Campos & Flansburg Family LaTarah Coney Katharine & Mike Cowan Jan & Bill Sims, in Honor of Katharine Cowan Cynthia Curry Mary Eleanor Dean Dennis Delamar* Bill & Janny DeLoache Blair Donald* Mary Katherine Dubose Cheryl Endy Roberta Fox Andrew & Natalie Gibbon* Natasha Grant-Dean Magda Guichard Arlethia Hailstock Stuart Hair Richard Hamilton Martha Hirsch Olivia & Andrew Horton Stephanie Hurtado-Hoyos Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Johnson William & Karen Kasper Ann Kimbro & Mark Smith Kathi & John Knier Joye & Ron Lamberth Louise & Jerry Lawson Trudy Ludwig Robin & John Maxwell Elliott & Jennifer McCabe Julie McDowell Dorothy McMillan Daniel Merlin Shearra Miller Nancy Morris, in Honor of Kelly Carder Morris

Our Supporters cont’d Beth Murray Samantha Mwangi Tim & Kim Parati Jena & Joe Pedroli Steven Levine & Shawnna Pledger The Qasim Family Melissa Robertson Susan Sherrill Dawn Spivey Karen Steele Wes & Claudia Sturges Robert Squibb Claire & John Tate Donna & Alan Thomas Drew Thrasher Chris Warren Jayke Watson Hank West Marsha Wiggins The Wray Family Cara & Jake Yara ($50 - $99) Leah & Jay Abraham Carol Adler Alex Aguilar Elena Airapetian Jason Asch Karen Atilano Laurie Bell Mr. & Mrs. Alan Boone Julie Bradlow Drew Branham Laura Cameron Elizabeth Cassano Tim Clark Ann Crehore Robin & James Cochran Lorraine Decker Melina Dixon Dr. Shamieka Dixon Dave & Eileen Dunlap Meeghan Farley Stacy Freed Phyllis Gadsden Jo Galbraith

Cynthia & Henry Gass Jennifer Greer Caris Gross Deidre Grubb Emma Hanson Nicolette Harris Micah Hein Sisi Hester-Clarke Jennifer Hirsch Peyton Hostetler Jehana James Chandra Johnson Susan & Rob Johnson Mary Kandell Krishnan Kesavaram Athena Kortesis Sarah & Tony Lathrop* Jake Leblanc Michael Leith Debbie Lister Nyesha Long Claire Lukens Linn Lunder Mary Lou Maher Michele & Stephen Mangan* Jennifer Matthews Valecia McDowell Debra Mein Nicole Mims Miranda Miller Lori Molitor Velda Molitor Adam Montague Catherine & Rob Odum* Deanna Overby Nia Peace Janelle Powers Emily Pratt Kimberly Proudman Mary Pugh Misbah Rana Shannon & Rob Reichley Elizabeth Ricks Laura Rodriguez Stanley Ruppe Anat Russell Rebecca Schuman

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Our Supporters cont’d Mavis Scully Ginger & John Seabrook Jessica Shaffner Laura Shwedo John Slechta Becky Sowell Theckla Sterrett Matthew Trager Kristi Trangsrud Edward Triebell Ece Turksonmez Tara VanCleave Cassie Ward Linda Wells Laura Williams + Indicates deceased

*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 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

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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 We are grateful to our dedicated education families and ticket purchasers who in response to COVID-19 and the cancellation of classes and camps opted to give a gift in lieu of a refund. Thank you to: Kelly Acevedo, Sara Adler, Katie Aittola, Catherine Aldridge, Elizabeth Allison, Brantley Alvey, Carol Ambrose, Amanda Amos, Robert Anders, Lawrence Andress, Renee Anglin, Jennifer Atkinson, Maura Ayres • Kirsten Baldwin Metzger, David Barnaba, Jade Barringer, Emily Battle, Kristen Beach, Blair Beason, Selina Bell, Amanda Bengel, Sarah Beres, Colleen Black, Jennifer Blanton, James Bohmer, Kelly Bolln, Matt Bossert, Victoria Braaten, Kina Brooks, Susan Brown, Amy Brown, Beth Burgess, Hilary Burt, Brooke Busbee • Leah Campbell, Mary Cappleman, Lisa Caraccio, Sergio Cardenas, Maureen Carlomagno, Amy Carr, Ellen Carraro, Jennie Carruth, Elizabeth Cassano, Tara Cawthorne, Heather Chesnutt, Lejla Cokljat, Laura Coleman, Stacy Colwell, LaTarah Coney, Dawn Connell, Kimberly Conroy, Andrea Cook, Michael Coyne, Rhonda Craig, Kristy Crist, Fravelin Cuesta, John Curry, Mitzi Czapla • Gina Damon, Christine Danzer, Melissa Davis, Elise Demeter, Sarah DiFranco, Linda Dinh, Courtney Dixon, Grady Dodge, Daniel Donner, Susanne Doring, Kate Doughty, Kerri Doyle, Jeanne Drexler, Katharine Dullaghan, Karen Dunaway, Lauren Dunaway, Steve Dunn, Yen Duong, Robyn Dussault • Charlie Elberson, Lorraine Elliot, Donna Emerson, Jennifer Engel, Matt Esau, Margarita Espinales • Meeghan Farley, Elizabeth Faulk, Robert Ferguson, Michelle Ferguson, Jami Fischer, Elana Fortino, Bruce Fowler, Elizabeth Frederick, Jean Fuller • Debra Gazzuolo, Jennifer Giannoulis, Kirsten Gimbert, Christina Goldblatt, Anderea Gonzalez, Jeanne Graber, Rosemary Graidage, Lisa Green, Rhea Greene, Susan Griffin, Amanda Guile, Courtney Guin, Cate Gutter • Anne Hamilton, Nicolette Harris, Elizabeth Hayslett, Halsten Heintz, Scott Helm, Carly Hensley, Candace Hester, Jessica Higgins, Ruth Hilton, Jamie Hinchee, Angela Hinton, Martha Hirsch, Trina Holiness- Morris, Frank Hruby, Susan Huber, Deirdre Hurley, Solein Hyatt • Deborah Isley • Sara Johnson, Karen Johnston Desiree Judy • Sabrina Kemp, Laura Kendrick, Katherine H Kent, Julie Key, Jenna King, Pam Kingsley, Jennifer Kipphut, Cynthia Klein, Diane Kluttz, Caroline Kraich, Julie Kramer, Robert Krumbine, Leslee Kuykendal • Lee LaBorde, Lou Ann Lamb, Ashley Lang, Amanda Layne, Lindsay Leitzinger, Elizabeth Leonard, Alicia Lightfoot, Drew Lindsey, Michael Lowder, Christine Lucas • Jennifer Madara, Amber Madrin, Amy Maffucci, Patti Marchionni, Sarah Martin, Jennifer Martyak, Nicholas Mathias, Amanda Mayhew, Joan Mazzu, Susan McClelland, Lewis McCurdy, Stacy McGuffee, Jennie McGuire, Suzette McQueen, Megan Meuse, Megan Midkiff. Renee Miller, Heidi Miller, Nicole Mims, Summer Minchew, Robert Mitchell, Lauri Moore, Nikki Moore, Valerie Moresi, Dawn Morey, Stephen Muise, Morgan Munn, Brian Murdock, Maya Myers, Maddie Myers • Julie Nannini, Kimberly Naro Elisabeth Narodny, Kerbie Neal, Lee Neale, Rebecca Nesbitt • Caroline Olzinski, Rebecca Ortega, Paula Owens • Sweta Patel, Amy Patel-Hill, Trevor Pearce, Ira Penza, Adam Perrow, Silvia Petrova, Meagan Platania, Nicole Prenoveau, JJ Privette, Mary Pugh • Meredith Quinn • Lynn Ralph, Sam Reaves, Allison Reece, Anna Reed, Luke Reinke, Emily Reynolds, Jamie Rimany, Linda Ritter, Cori Rockey • Megan Sacksteder, Kristen Sario, Jason Sasserl, Susan Scanga, Chelsea Schlepp, Alison Schulman, Rebecca Schuman, Christine Sheil, Susan Sherrill, Molly Sims, Kristy Skender, Tamara Smith, Mary Smith, Joshua Smith, Jennifer Snyder, Elizabeth Soja, Heidi Squires, Rajeswari Sriram, Theckla Sterrett, William Stewart, Winifred Stieglitz, Roger Stone, Wendy Strickland, Lisa Strickland, Alyson Strode, Lara Swenson • Annie Tamburello, Mona Taylor, Louise Taylor, Nicolle Thompson, Tammie Thompson, Sylwia Thornton, Laura Tobin, Gwen Tolman, Teresa Treadaway, Alice Trexler, Brittany Tully, Wes Turner • Chiara Underwood, Lindsay Varnado, Lauren Varner, Amy Vavra, Bradley Vineyard, Christa Vinson, Lauren Voorhees, Anna Vordermark • Kate Wagner, Jennifer Walker, Angel Wall, Lauren Walls, Sabrina Walters, Molly Ward, Rachel Ware, Ellen Weekley, Margaret Wilbur, Tamia Williams, Laura Williams, Christina Williams, Lynne Williams, Lindsey Wolfe, Frances Zeoli, Ting Zhang

We appreciate your support. If we have misspelled or omitted your name, please call our Development Office at 704-973-2804. Gifts current as of Nov. 19, 2020.

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Our Volunteers (ENCORE!) April Whitlock, ENCORE! President Melissa Dorsch, Education Committee Co-Chair Teri Miller, Education Committee Co-Chair Catherine Hensley, Development Committee Co-Chair Laura Walger, Development Committee Co-Chair Sally Harriss, Outreach Committee Co-Chair Sherese Smith, Outreach Committee Co-Chair Sally Vlahos, Production Committee Chair Emily Agnew Mary Barlow Vicki Beachum Sallie Beason Kate Buckfelder Julie Caldwell Nancy Carlton Leesa Clardy Gina Clegg Caryn Craige Lisa Daniels Janny DeLoache Stowe Demarest Kendra Dodds Rachel Ellis Stacy Ellyson Jennifer Engel Christi Flansburg Amy Franklin Julia Golonka Beth Gage Elizabeth Gregg Gayle Hackney Jill Halverstam Kim Hanson Marti Head Tammy Herrmann Mitzi Lynch Florence Kim Kathi Knier Cynthia Lank Michele Mangan Jennifer Martin Claire Marston Diana Jones Tammy Jones Laurie Hutchins Mary-Margaret Kantor Heather McAllister

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Mary Ellen McElroy Mallory Miller Catherine Monroe Josie Morris Laura Mudrock Beth Neale Suzy Nurkin Cookie Parnell Elizabeth Ponder Kerri Porter Mary Margaret Porter Woods Potts Jenny Plyler Sarah Ryan Ginger Seabrook Tessa Shane Susan Stafford Marsha Thrasher Brittany Vanderlinden Liz Waller Nichelle Weintraub Marsha Wiggins Katie Williams

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

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

WHERE LEARNING IS SOMETHING YOU CAN SEE, HEAR, & TOUCH. Within our multisensory K-12 curriculum, students with learning differences experience the many ways to make connections with concepts, grow in their unique learning style, and reach their potential.

thefletcherschool.org | 704-365-4658

Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz Age Cinderella

Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds

Peter Pan The Lion and the Little Red Bird

Judy Moody & Stink : The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt

s p m a C d n Classes a

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

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l a i n o m i t Tes

“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 i v Acti Kids

A child’s love of his favorite toy literally brings this story to life.

A little boy awakens Christmas morning to discover a Velveteen Rabbit among his gifts. Adored at first, then cast to the toy box, the Rabbit is snubbed by the other toys for being old-fashioned.

Over time, a friendship blossoms. The Velveteen Rabbit learns what it means to be truly loved by the Boy - and the smiles and tears that come from being “real”. Adapted from the classic book, this poignant story has charmed generations of families and continues to be cherished by audiences today.

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Top 4

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SHOW

1. The boy and his toy rabbit form a special bond/friendship in the play. Have you had or do you have a toy or stuffed animal that was special to you? Why was/is that toy important?

2. What does it mean to be real? The Velveteen Rabbit asks the Rocking Horse if real is when “things buzz inside you and have a stick out handle”. Why does he think that? How does the Velveteen Rabbit know when he is real?

3. The other rabbits tell the Velveteen Rabbit that he isn’t real, but the boy said he is. Were the rabbits wrong? Was the little boy wrong?

4. Why do the grownups in the play seem to understand the world differently than the little boy?

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Rec om

m

ne d

a d e i n R g d e

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes

by Du Bose Heyward The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo The Steadfast Tin Soldier

by Hans Christian Anderson The Toys Go Out

by Emily Jenkins Winnie-the-Pooh

by A. A. Milne Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. White The Little Prince

by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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IN-PERSON PRIVATE LESSONS

CHARLOTTE CHILDREN’S CHOIR

VIRTUAL

HYBRID

VISUAL ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

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.

Register online at artsplus.org

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY:

Formerly Community School of the Arts

OUTREACH PROGRAMS