DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATE R
Created by IAN CARNEY and CORBIN POPP
MARCH FAMILY FOUNDATION
DALLAS
TEXAS TRAVEL INDUSTRY RECOVERY PROGRAM
GENERAL SPONSORS INCLUDE
Dallas Tourism and Public Improvement District
Anonymous
Jane and Bill Travis
Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts
TXU Energy
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY SPECIAL CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY BUILDING FUND SUPPORT O
Becky and Everett Spaeth
TACA, Inc.
Holloway Family Foundation
Laurie Sands Harrison
Ellen and Jim Markus
Harry S. Moss Foundation
Melinda and Jim Johnson
Sarah Freedman and Chris Skoog
Anonymous Donor
Joan Becker
Central Market
The Stephen M. Seay Foundation
Karen and Ken Travis
Green Mountain Energy
DCT’s official renewable energy partner
Hoblitzelle Foundation
Hillcrest Foundation
The Carlson Foundation
March Family Foundation
Laurie Sands Harrison
The Rosewood Corporation
Anonymous Family
Elizabeth and Bart Showalter
Karen and Ken Travis
The Hersh Foundation
Everett and Becky Spaeth
SENSORY-FRIENDLY SPONSORS
FICHTENBAUM
CHARITABLE TRUST
Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts
The Cast
Ensemble ...............................................
Ensemble .............................................
Ensemble ........................................................
Ensemble
Production Staff
Production Manager
Assistant Production Manager
Janel Villatoro
CaitLyne Martin
Technical Director Josh Smith
Assistant Technical Director
Staff Carpenter
Nolan Moralez
Jesus Gonzalez
Master Electrician Vinchenzo Locascio
Sound Engineer
Costume Shop Manager
Brian Christensen
Lyle Huchton
Asst. Costume Shop Manager Glory Sprinkle
Deck Crew Hand Becca Bongiorno
A Message from our Executive Director
I am thrilled to welcome you to another exciting season for young audiences!
Kicking off our season is Grace for President, which presents valuable lessons about leadership, teamwork, and the importance of every voice in a community through the trials and tribulations of running for class president.
Next, we will celebrate the holiday season with A Charlie Brown Christmas. Join Charlie Brown and his friends as they discover the true meaning of Christmas amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This beloved classic will remind us all of the joys of friendship, love, and the spirit of giving.
New this season is Dino-Light, presented by Lightwire Theater. This immersive experience will captivate audiences and create incredible visual landscapes, providing a magical atmosphere for families to enjoy together.
We will also continue our long tradition of presenting plays based on cherished books. This year audiences will get groovy with Pete the Cat and go on an adventure with James and the Giant Peach.
We are excited to embark on this journey with you and your children, and we look forward to seeing you at the theater! Thank you for your continued support, and let’s make this season a memorable one.
Samantha Turner DCT Executive Director
About Lightwire Theater
Lightwire Theater is a unique entertainment experience that utilizes light, technology, and music to tell captivating stories. Our shows are designed to bring audiences of all ages into a fantastical world of imagination.
Lightwire Theater has been featured as a semi-finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and winner of Tru TV’s Fake Off. The group combines theater and technology to bring stories to life in complete darkness and is internationally recognized for its signature brand of electroluminescent artistry.
Lightwire co-creators Ian Carney and Corbin Popp met in New York City while dancing in Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out on Broadway. An immediate connection was made between the kindred spirits as they discovered their mutual love of art, theater, and technology. After coming across a product called, “el wire,” the lights turned on and the possibilities seemed endless. Together, with their wives Eleanor and Whitney, they began to experiment with shapes and designs to develop puppetry-based neon creatures that quickly came to life.
Based in New Orleans, Lightwire Theater continues to create and deliver innovative theatrical experiences to audiences worldwide including: Hong Kong, Estonia, Canada, Belarus, China, Abu Dhabi, and as finalists on My TF1’s, The Best: Le Meilleur Artiste in Paris.
IAN CARNEY
Artistic Director / Ensemble
Ian Carney is best known for his long run in Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s musical Movin’ Out on Broadway. Born in New Hampshire and raised in New Orleans, he started dancing as a child, studying ballet in New Orleans and in New York City. He danced lead roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and many other ballets. He has been a guest dancer, teacher, and choreographer in companies across the United States. While still performing, Ian earned a degree in English Literature from Tulane University. He is the co-creator of the family shows that continue to delight audiences around the world – Dino-Light, The Ugly Duckling, Lightwire the Show, A Very Electric Christmas, and The Tortoise and Hare the Next Generation. Ian has appeared on television with Lightwire Theater on America’s Got Talent, Game of Talents, Italy’s Tú Sí Que Vales, TF1’s The Best Show in France, and as the 2014 winner of Tru TV’s Fake Off.
ELEANOR B. CARNEY
Managing Director / Ensemble
Originally from New Orleans, Eleanor began her dance training with Harvey Hysell and Joseph Giaccobbe. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.F.A. in dance and a B.A. in anthropology. She has danced professionally with Indianapolis Ballet Theater, the Lexington, Northwest Florida, Delta Festival, and Montgomery Ballet. Career highlights include dancing Aurora in Sleeping Beauty; Desdemona in The Moor’s Pavane; and the title roles in Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Giselle and Coppelia, and, of course, the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Mrs. Carney is delighted to have appeared with Lightwire Theater on America’s Got Talent, Italy’s hit show Tú Sí Que Vales, Game of Talents, The Best on TF1, and as the 2014 winner of Tru Tv’s Fake Off. She is eternally grateful to work beside her husband, Ian, and share their art with the world.
CORBIN POPP
Co-Creator / Technical Supervisor
Corbin Popp is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He earned a degree in biochemistry at University of NebraskaLincoln, while also studying math, physics, and dance. Opting for dance, Corbin performed in The Phantom of the Opera and Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out on Broadway. He has toured throughout the United States with many shows and all over Europe with Tharp’s dance company. Corbin speaks German, studied in Germany on a Fulbright scholarship, and recently graduated from dental school, yet still continues to perform and collaborate with Lightwire Theater.
IAN BLANCO Ensemble
Ian Blanco is a New Orleans native and BFA graduate of Wright State University’s theater program. His favorite productions include La Cage aux Folles (Mercedes), Kiss Me Kate (Gremio), and Chicago (Master of Ceremonies), to name a few. Ian has been performing internationally and across the USA since he was the age of 15, and now loves sharing the stage with his wife, Liz. He’s also SAFD certified in stage combat and a proud Eagle Scout. Love you, family!
SYMONE JOHNSON Ensemble
Symone Johnson is in her fifth season with the Lightwire Theater! As a professional circus artist, specializing in aerial silks and rope, she has appeared in many shows ranging from Aloft’s production of Tough Drafts to Cabinet of Curiosity’s immersive experience Illumination. While training full time in Chicago, she worked under many accomplished circus artists such as Joe Pinzon, Tanya Burke, Duo Rose, and Shayna Swanson. When not performing, she travels the United States in her van with a little black cat named Minew. Now based out of New Orleans, Symone has fallen in love with combining the local music scene with interactive character work and aerial craziness!
TIERNEY LAWSON Ensemble
Tierney has been part of the Lightwire Family since 2009 and is thrilled to be back with her favorite humans and creatures! After several seasons traveling the world with Lightwire, she decided to settle down in Southern California where she continues to pursue her love of storytelling as a means of connection, art, and the magic that can be created with whatever materials are available and a bit of imagination. Tierney is so grateful to Ian and Eleanor, and the growing community of Lightwire performers and fans, for affording her so many opportunities to create, explore, learn, and grow.
Meet the DCT Artistic / Production Staff
SAMANTHA TURNER
Executive Director
Samantha Turner is a leader in both the non-profit and corporate sectors with expertise in performing arts administration, business management, and marketing. In June 2023, she was named Executive Director for Dallas Children’s Theater after serving as Executive Director for Ballet Arizona for six years. During her tenure, the professional ballet company achieved its greatest levels of financial and creative health. Before Samantha was appointed Executive Director, she served three years as Ballet Arizona’s Director of Marketing, achieving record earned revenue for several productions. Prior to joining Ballet Arizona, Samantha held leadership roles in both non-profit and Fortune 500 companies. She served as Head of Business Operations and Finance for CAP21, a New York-based musical theatre conservatory and theatre company. Samantha moved into that role after a year-long sabbatical immersed in acting, singing, and dance training that allowed her to gain a deep understanding of the arts and artists. She integrated those insights with her 20 years of Fortune 500 leadership experience to transition to a career focused on the strategic management of arts organizations. Samantha’s for-profit career includes high-level marketing and business management roles at Aflac, Assurant, and other organizations of national and regional scope. In addition to her professional experience, Samantha holds MBAs in marketing and international business/ecommerce, and an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism.
EMILY ERNST
Artistic Director
Emily Ernst is an actor, director, and movement coach. Prior to her role at DCT, she was the co-founder and Artistic Director of Fair Assembly and Associate Artistic Director at the River & Rail Theatre, founded by SMU Alumni, in Knoxville, TN. As an educator, Emily has taught at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Advanced Acting), the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Cistercian Preparatory School, and Junior Players, among others; and led the Theatre Arts Academy at the Lincoln Playhouse. For the past two years with Junior Players, Emily has led the female cohort of Shakespeare with Henry: the first youth-focused Shakespeare in Prison program in Texas and the third in the nation. Emily has held staff positions with Teatro Dallas, Cry Havoc Theater Company, The Lincoln Community Playhouse, TACA, Flatwater Shakespeare Company, and Theatre for a New Audience in New York City. Recent directing projects include Fiddler on the Roof at UNT, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at River & Rail Theatre, Mame at The Lincoln Playhouse, The Little Prince at River & Rail Theatre, The Music Man Jr. at Cistercian Prep, and King Lear at Fair Assembly. Emily is a graduate of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, L’École internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq (2017-2018), and is a fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture.
ALAINA GALASSO Stage Manager
Alaina Galasso is a local stage manager and scenic artist from Austin, TX. She was previously a DCT apprentice and stage manager for The Addams Family, Willy Wonka Jr., and Endlings with Cry Havoc Theater Company. She has also worked for various theatre companies in the DFW area and is now the Paint Supervisor at Zero Productions.
DCT Academy classes are taught by DCT professional artists; our classes help develop children with an interest in drama and performing arts in a hands-on environment where participation is encouraged and essential for learning.
Spring Mini and Summer Session Enrolling Now
VIEW CLASSES
Photos by Sylvia Elzafon, DCT staff, and Danny Hurley
For the Ride Home
Keep the fun going with a special activity for everyone!
1. What did you think this play would be about based on the title? Was it what you expected?
2. How did the lighting effects and puppetry play a role in the play? How would this play have been different if the lights in the house (where the audience sits) were turned on?
3. What did you think of the dancing in Dino-Light? How did dancing and movement help tell the story?
4. Describe the scientist’s character. Do you think you could rename this character magician or artist? Why or why not?
5. Who does the dinosaur meet during his journey?
6. What kinds of qualities make someone a good friend? Did any of the characters display these qualities?
7. This story is about the dinosaur, but there are many other characters in the story. How might this story be different if it was told from the perspective of another character?
8. What challenges do you think the actors/puppeteers faced performing in this play?
9. Compare the experience of acting in this show to acting in a different play at Dallas Children’s Theater (like Grace for President or Pete the Cat).
10. What do you think the dinosaur learned from his experiences?
11. Some theater professionals work on stage (like the actors/puppeteers), others behind the scenes (like the stage manager or crew), and some in the front of the house (like the box office staff). If you were to work at the theater, what position would you want to do?
Photo Stephen Charles Nicholson courtesy of Lightwire Theater
DALLAS CHILDREN’S THEATER THANKS YOU!
Reflects gifts received through March 18, 2025.
On behalf of the 90,000 children and families served annually, we gratefully acknowledge our donors who through their contributions made it possible for DCT to present over 500 performances of high quality, professional theater for youth and families. Although program space limits our ability to publicly recognize only donors of $500 and above, we deeply and sincerely appreciate every contribution. As ticket sales cover a small percentage our costs, your annual financial support is critical to introducing North Texas children to the magic of live theater. Should you wish to be added to this extraordinary list of donors or suggest corrections to our list, please contact the DCT Development Department at 214.978.0110 and THANK YOU!
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$100,000 +
City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture
Hoblitzelle Foundation
March Family Foundation
Texas Instruments Foundation
PRODUCING PARTNER
$50,000-$99,999
Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee Hillcrest Foundation
The Rosewood Corporation
The Shubert Foundation
Texas Instruments
The Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation
Karen & Ken Travis
CENTERSTAGE SPONSOR
$25,000-$49,999
Anonymous
Crawley Family Foundation
Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District
The Rosewood Foundation
Texas Commission on the Arts
Texas Travel Industry Recovery Program
Jane & William B. Travis
SEASON BENEFACTOR
$10,000-$24,999
Anderskouv Jarnum Family
Anonymous
Joan Becker
Central Market
The Communities Foundation of Texas North Texas Giving Day Fund
Sarah & Michael DeLuke
Ernst & Young LLP
Kristy & Raymond Faus
Jane & Greg Greene
Harry S. Moss Foundation
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Lauren & Ryan Herrington
The Holloway Family Foundation
Melinda & Jim Johnson
Ellen & Jim Markus
Mary Price Womack, LLC
Medical City Dallas
National Endowment for The Arts
Julie & John Parolisi
Patrick & Beatrice Haggerty Foundation
Margot B. Perot
Kara & Todd Ranta
Debbie & Michael Rasa
Laurie Sands Harrison
Jennifer & Andrew Scripps
Rachael & Evan Singer
Becky & Everett Spaeth
Stephen M. Seay Foundation
Strake Foundation
TACA
TXU Energy
LEADING PLAYER
$5,000-$9,999
Joe B. Brooks
Richard & Mary Covington
June Dales
Licia and Chris Dawe
Alencia DeAnda-Gregg & Tony
Gregg
DePasse Family Giving Fund
Kelly & Gregory Fijolek
Robyn Flatt
Fred Jones Family Foundation
Sarah Freedman & Christopher
Skoog
Jennifer Garratt
Goldman Sachs
Meagan & Daniel Hemenway
Carolyn Holloway
Houlihan Lokey
Emily Jefferson
Stephanie & Ben Jeffery
Jones Day
Tara Lewis & John Swords
Louise W. Kahn Endowment Fund of The Dallas Foundation
Tanya & Ken McDonald
The McGee Endowment Foundation Fund at The Dallas Foundation
Nancy Miller
Leah & Adam Mora
The Orien Levy Woolf and Dr. Jack
Woolf Charitable Foundation
Prosperity Bank
Francis Ryburn
Lacy & Clayton Sands
Janet Spencer Shaw
Camelia & Ted Shoemaker
Lisa K. Simmons
Melissa & John Szczsponik
Retta Van Auken
DIRECTOR
$2,500-$4,999
Anderson Family Philanthropic Fund
Jean Aoki
Mickie & Jeff Bragalone
Betsy & Rick Fijolek
Lorelei Garratt
The Ryan Goldblatt Foundation
Holland & Knight
The Hudson Family Charitable Fund
Carole & Chris Jordan
Robin A. Ladd
Lisa Lee
Jacqui & Ray Mackewicz
Corale & Mitchell Madden
Make It Count Family Foundation
Sarah & Tim Salmon
Brooke & Aaron Shelby
Wilson Tarver
PRODUCER
$1,000-$2,499
Barbara & Daniel Anderson
Billie & William Aylesworth
Capital One Services, LLC
Kendra Clark
Collins Interiors
Kerrie & Ross Forbes
Frost Bank & Frost Insurance
Carol & Don Glendenning
Mark Grover
Ryan Gummer
Dane Hoang
Rocky Howard
Nicole and Scott Hudson
Huntington Bank
Suki & Paul Jarzemsky
Jennifer Karol
Bridget Lopez
Kathy & Charles Miller
Danielle Mullen
Deborah & Jim Nugent
Rachel & Garth Orr
Kate & Eric Pfeifle
Carrie Rief
Amy & Jeremy Rosenthal
Nancy and David Saustad
Amanda & David Schnetzer
Sally Schopmeyer
Diana & Sam Self
Elizabeth & Bart Showalter
Katie & David Shutler
Mimi Slater
Patty & Joe Smith
Mike & Eva Smith
Deborah & Richard Stanford
Deborah & Craig Sutton
Swiss Avenue Historic District
TBK Bank
Jasmine & Chris Tobias
Ben Wheeler
Rachel & Brad Williams
Rachel Ybarra
PATRON
$500-$999
Debbie & Robert Barrer
Martha Barrios
Audrey Bines
Denny Cassidy
Elizabeth Dacus
Angela Downes
Amy Green
Ann & Jim Hambleton
Jonathan Helm
Kalais & L B Jeter
Rae & Lloyd Marquis
Frances Mitchell
Lydia & Dan Novakov
Stacy & Dennis O’Riley
Karol and Larry Omlor
Keri Rardon
Liliana Rivera
Alicia Duque & Nima Rohani
Maureen & Robert Royer
Christa & Ketric Sanford
Sunie & Steve Solomon
Natalie R. Swan Revocable Trust
Cheri & Bart Thomas
Samantha & Joel Turner
Harianne & David Wallenstein
Charlotte & Wade Wiles
D.I. Wilkinson
Alex Winslow
IN-KIND
Anonymous
AT&T Stadium & The Star
Dr. Evan Beale
Joe B. Brooks
CiCi’s Pizza
Michael DeLuke
Erth Hotels
Golden Egg Creative
Miron Crosby
Nayarit Tourism Board
The Ritz Carlton
The Rosewood Corporation
Rosewood Ranches
Lacy Sands
Southwest Airlines
TXU Energy
Vestals Catering
Virgin Hotels Dallas
DCT Board
Board of Trustees
Leah Mora* PRESIDENT
Todd Ranta* CHAIRMAN
Meagan Hemenway* VP DEVELOPMENT
Evan Singer* VP EDUCATION
Everett Spaeth* VP FACILITIES
Sarah Freedman* VP FINANCE/TREASURER
Martha Barrios* VP GOVERNANCE/NOMINATING
Julie Parolisi* SECRETARY
Alencia DeAnda-Gregg
Michael DeLuke
Bonnie DePasse
Angela Downes
Kelly Fijolek
Jennifer Garratt
Brooks Hall
Tiffini Hall
Helen Harris-Allen
Lauren Herrington*
Mar Howard
L B Jeter Jr.
Robin A. Ladd
Lisa Lee
Jacqueline Mackewicz
Corale Madden
Jim Markus*
Adam Mora Jr., MD
Rachel Orr
Liliana Rivera
Sarah Salmon
Lacy Sands
Amanda Schnetzer*
Camelia Lopez Shoemaker
Deborah Stanford
Jasmine Tobias
Shanti Shahani Venegas
DCT Staff
Samantha Turner
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Emily Ernst
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Artie Olaisen
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Coy Covington
EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR
Robyn Flatt
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
Roxie King
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Development
Joey Hamilton
GRANTS MANAGER
Artist-in-Residence
Karl Schaeffer
ACTING / VIDEO
Board of Advisors
Lorlee Bartos
Mickie Bragalone
Joan Becker
Nancy Carlson
Mary Covington
Yvonne Crum
Paul Daugherty
Betsy Fijolek
Jane Kennedy Greene
Rocky Howard
Scott Hudson
Sharron Hunt
Vibeke Jarnum
Josh Johnston
Emily Jefferson
Margaret Keliher
Tara Lewis*
Peter Martin
Teresa Parravano
Christa Sanford
Sally Schopmeyer
Elizabeth Showalter
Laurie-Jo Straty
Craig Sutton
Bill Travis
Karen Travis
Emeritus Members
Robyn Flatt FOUNDER
Melissa Deakins CHAIR EMERITUS
Laurie Sands Harrison CHAIR EMERITUS
Julie H. Kosnik CHAIR EMERITUS
Carole Jordan CHAIR EMERITUS
Carol March* CHAIR EMERITUS
Board Liaison
Mickie Bragalone OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
* Executive Committee
Education
Julianna Wright
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
Terry Feagin
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Gina Waits
PROJECT INCLUSION COORDINATOR
K. Doug Miller
MUSICAL THEATER CONSERVATORY DIRECTOR
Raven Lanuza-Brown ACADEMY COORDINATOR
Marketing & Public Relations
Mallory Coulter
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Steve Jones
DIRECTOR OF TICKETING AND PATRON SERVICES
Jazmine Hill
SENIOR MANAGER OF DIGITAL AND GROWTH MARKETING
Rachel Wells
MARKETING AND TESSITURA ASSOCIATE
Douglass Burks
BOX OFFICE ASSOCIATE
Joanna Coogan
FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR
Facilities
Aaron Rodriguez
NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMIN. / IT / FACILITIES
Production
Janel Villatoro
PRODUCTION MANAGER / RENTAL COORDINATOR
CaitLyne Martin
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER / RESIDENT STAGE MANAGER
Josh Smith
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Nolan Moralez
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Lyle Huchton
RESIDENT COSTUME DESIGNER / COSTUME SHOP MANAGER
Brian Christensen SOUND ENGINEER
Marco Salinas
RESIDENT SOUND DESIGNER
Vinchenzo Locascio MASTER ELECTRICIAN
Jesus Gonzalez STAFF CARPENTER
Glory Sprinkle
ASSISTANT COSTUME SHOP MANAGER
Sally Fiorello
DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
How your gifts make a difference
Each year, Dallas Children’s Theater supporters help us carry out our mission to enrich and educate 90,000 youth and families through the power of live theater. Contributions from these generous donors help produce a complete professional season each year, and our education initiatives exist only through the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations. When you give, you introduce a child to the endless possibilities of the arts, creating moments they will never forget.
Student Matinee Performance Series
Goldblatt/Children’s Health Collaboration