CTOC’s Mission: “The Children’s Theatre of Charleston serves and enriches our community, inspiring young people to create fulfilling and productive lives through the art of theatre”
It all began in May of 1932, Miss Sara Spencer, a teacher and advocate for children’s theatre programs, started a theatre group as an outgrowth of her drama class.
In 1945 that theatre group became incorporated and was chartered with the state of West Virginia and named Children’s Theatre of Charleston as The Official West Virginia Children’s Theatre.
The Children’s Theatre of Charleston strives each year to make every season better than the one before both on and off the stage. We do this by incorporating our values: Passion for people, accessibility, community, excellence, trust, imagination, and respect for everything we do. We strive to instill these values in our casts and our teen group Beyond the Stage.
Thousands of children and adults have participated in Children’s Theatre Productions. CTOC gives children and families the opportunity to share the total theatre experience. Whether you’re still in school or young at heart, CTOC has a place for you. Join us today!
CTOC 2023-2024 Board of Directors
President ................................................................................. Johanna Miesner
1st Vice-President.......................................................................Casey Petersen
2nd Vice- President................................................................................Kit Reed
Treasurer.....................................................................................Heather Abbott
Secretary.........................................................................................Emilie Couch
Megan Diehl
Jan Johnson
Ariana Kincaid
Rebecca Pratt
Kristi Silkwood
Chris Welty
Alex Wilson
Natalie Tennant
General Manager..............................................................LeeAnne Rheinlander
“
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
Thankful for our supporters and partners who care a whole awful lot!
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
― Dr. Seuss
Thank you to our generous show sponsors
Including the City of Charleston Cecil I. Walker Charitable Trust
Daywood Foundation
Spilman, Thomas & Battle
Truist Foundation of WV
WSAZ
Thank you WCHS, WV Gazette Mail, Kennie Bass.
Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers, parents, crew,
and cast members for creating this amazing show!
CAST LIST CAST LIST
The Cat In The Hat – Braylie Smolder
Jojo/the Boy- Eliot Chapman
Horton The Elephant- Xander Mani
Gertrude Mcfuzz – Emma Grace Hutchinson
Mayzie Labird- Beatrice Kime
Sour Kangaroo – Olivia Hayes
Mr. Mayor – Garrett Hughes
Mrs. Mayor – Malia Saar
Yertle- Luke Holliday
Young Kangaroo: Maryn Gunno
The Bird Girls Leaders: Braelyn White, Ariana Chouieri,
Emily Swingle
The Bird Girls: Joanie Abbott, Sophia Austin, Lucy Cantrell(Sneetch), Aeonna Dunn, Evelyn
Forget, Sylvia Pierson, Emily Ruffell, Katy Ruffell, Paige Workman, Lyla Wynn
CAST LIST CAST LIST
WICKERSHAN BROTHERS: NOLAN PENNINGTON, JOSEY
DORSEY, JOSH PETERSEN, JACKSON PETERSEN, GRIFFIN LACY,
LIAM SAAR, CARSON MILLER ENSEMBLE:
MADELYN MARTIN, VIVIAN HARTLEY, KATIE MCQUERREY,
KENNEDY BELCHER, KATE HOLLIDAY, MAKAYLA LACY, NAOMI
RIDENHOUR, KAIBREA TYLER, LUCYBETH SILKWOOD, JOCELYN
CHASE, ROSIE JENKINS, FENIX WATTS, KILEE STUCK, MARYN
GUNNOE, CAELAN SANDERS, NYAIRA SANDERS, PAYTON YOUNG,
MOLLY BISSETT, LIV MOORE, LUCIAN ZORNES, ALEXANDRA
COLEMAN, JACIANA MOORE, ADELENA JOHNSON, AVARIE
HARTWELL, SOPHIA DIEHL, ELIZA CAPITO, PENELOPE CLEMENTE,
NAOMI FRAZIER, LUCIA MERRITT
Congratulationstoour castandcrew!
BEHIND THE SCENES BEHIND THE SCENES
Director........................................................................................... Loren Allen
Assistant Director.................................................................Jennifer Anderson
Musical Director................................................................................... Ted Rose
Choreographer............................................................................Brooke Smolder
Costume Designers....................................................Kit Reed, Mandy Shirley
Set Designer.........................................................................Ryan Hurlbutt
Prop Mistress..........................................................................Danette Workman
Asst Technical Director/Lighting.....................................................Sheri Lacy
Sound Technician.........................................................................Belinda Mullins
Mic Faciilitators:
Emma Grace Hutchinson
Malia Saar Ariana Chouieri
LeeAnne Rheinlander
A
Felix Madsen
Sara Kelley
Eric Silkwood
Sheri Lacy
Ryan Hurlbutt
Stage Crew:
Patrick Runion
Chris Couch
Josh Runyon
LeeAnne Rheinlander
Loren Allen
Joanie Abbott: Joanie Abbott is one of the bird girls She is on the CTOC teen board. She loves to play soccer and run track. This is her 8th show with CTOC, and she hopes you love the show!
Sophia Ausitn: Sophia is in 6th grade at John Adams She loves to draw, sing, ice skate, and crochet She has an older brother and sister, and she has four pets-2 cats and 2 dogs Sophia is really excited about being cast in her first CTOC production!
Kennedy Belcher: Kennedy is excited to be returning to the stage for her fourth production with the CTOC Along with singing and dancing she loves playing outside, drawing, gymnastics, and robotics She's looking forward to playing a "Who" and a "Sneetch" enjoy the show!
Molly Bissett: Molly is a 6th grader at JAMS and takes tap and hip hop at
The Academy of the Arts at January’s. In her spare time, she loves creating crazy make-up looks; cooking; and snuggling with her cats, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald This is her first production with CTOC, and she’s so excited and grateful for the opportunity
Lucy Cantrell: Lucy Cantrell is an 8th grader at Elkview Middle School where she enjoys singing in the chorus and playing basketball and golf. She is student council president and a member of the robotics team She is a three year member of the Kanawha All County Chorus
Eliza Capito: Eliza Capito is making her debut performance with the
Children's Theatre of Charleston. She is excited for her first performance as a member of the cast of Seussical JR. Eliza is a third grader and lives in Charleston
Eliot Chapman: Eliot is an energetic third grader at Weberwood Elementary who's favorite sport is making people laugh. When he's not telling a story, playing a game or making some sort of magic, Eliot can be found with his nose in a book. His happiest places are out in nature or on his bike learning tricks Eliot is thrilled with the challenge of bringing to life this role of smart, imaginative, deeply-thinking Jojo!
Jocelyn Chase: Jocelyn has also appeared in CTOC's Aladdin Jr., as well as Elk City Playhouse's production of Lincoln. In her free time, She can often be found singing, reading, or crafting. Jocelyn aspires to be an emergency dispatcher
Ariana Choueiri: Ariana Choueiri is a freshman at GWHS She is so excited to be a part of Suessical. She enjoys traveling, theatre, dancing, Disney, and her dogs.
Penelope Clemente: Penelope "Penny" Clemente is thrilled to be joining the cast of Seussical Jr. in her debut acting performance.
Penny is a third grade student at Montrose Elementary. In addition to theatre, Penny also loves figure skating, singing, and spending time with her friends and family.
Alexandra Coleman: This is Alexandra's 3rd show with Children’s
Theatre. She has previously appeared on stage with the Charleston Light Opera Guild in Ragtime Alexandra is excited to be back on the stage for another production
Anessa Deel: Anessa is an 8th grader at The Lighthouse of Learning This is her 2nd CTOC show Anessa enjoys sleeping, acting and singing She loves her Whoville children and wishes them the best show! She hopes everyone here enjoys Seussical Jr.
Sophia Diehl: Sophia is thrilled to join the Seussical, Jr. cast for her 4th show with CTOC. Sophia loves theater and all the friends she has made! She is in 5th grade at Montrose Elementary. She is on the competitive dance team at Lee's Studio of Dance and performed at the World Dance Competition last year in NYC. Sophia's dream is to be on Broadway!
Josey Dorsey: Josey was born in Los Angeles, California and has just recently moved to West Virginia. He comes from a family of Actors and his strong passion for film and TV was apparent at a young age He’s excited for his WV stage debut
Aeonna Dunn: Aeonna is 14 in the 8th grade at John Adam’s Middle School In her free time she enjoys doing theatre, dancing in her school dance team and hanging out with her friends This is Aeonna’s 7th show and she is so excited!
Naomi Frazier: Naomi is a fourth grader at Edgewood Elementary School who loves singing, theatre, dance, and art. She was in Aladdin, Jr., and is active in the Alban Arts Academy's showcase and other productions, and is a member of the Appalachian Children's Chorus.
Naomi also creates videos, loves games, and science experiments.
Evelyn Forget: Evelyn has appeared in The Fox, and The Little Prince
at the Alban as well as many other CTOC and Alban shows. Evelyn enjoys reading, hanging out with her friends, and theatre
Maryn Gunnoe: : Maryn is 9 years old She loves art, math, and the colors blue, pink, and black. She loves her two dogs who are named Katie Bear and Winston. She enjoys theater and mac n cheese.
Vivian Hartley: Vivian Hartley is delighted to return to the stage with
Children’s Theater of Charleston, after participating in Aladdin Jr last fall. She is a 4th Grade student at Rock Branch Elementary. Along with performing and loving all things musical, Vivian excels in academics, loves her large family, animals, the outdoors, and gymnastics. She and her family share a long-time love for Dr. Seuss, and she’s excited to be a part of bringing stories to life!
Avarie Hartwell: Avarie is in the 6th grade at John Adams Middle School. She is a member of the school chorus and All-County Chorus. She loves to sing and dance. This is her second show with CTOC, following the Mr Scrooge production She can't wait to show her wacky side in Seussical Jr.!
Olivia Hayes: Olivia is a junior at George Washington High School. This is her second show with CTOC. Last year, she appeared as Glinda in the Wizard of Oz, which she won a regional Broadway World Award for. She has also appeared as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Jr. with The Alban Arts Center and Zaneeta Shinn in the Music Man with The Charleston Light Opera Guild. She is so excited for everyone to see Seussical Jr!
Kate Holliday: This is Kate’s 2nd CTOC performance. Off stage she is 4th grader at Mountaineer Montessori School When not at theater practice she can be found on the nearest basketball court, softball field, or playing with her brother and sister She hopes you love the show!
Luke Holliday: This is Luke’s 4th CTOC performance and he is excited to take the stage as Yertle the turtle. Off stage he is an 8th grader at Mountaineer Montessori School When he’s not at theater practice you can find him coaching church basketball and hanging out with his sisters. He hopes you all enjoy the show!
