For more information on the
Ensemble program
contact Mark Sutton
704-973-2817

The Ensemble Company

This Thing Called Life

Children's Theatre of Charlotte provides FREE pre-professional training to high school actors who possess evident ability and a strong commitment to theatre work. Selected by audition, the students may receive school credit as part of our partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Ensemble meets for three-hour classes most Saturdays and Sundays throughout the school year to study voice, movement, characterization, script analysis, improvisation, and production. The company produces a full-scale production at the end of the season.  Many Ensemble members go on to pursue acting in college and in their careers. Students have advanced to nationally recognized theatre programs at NYU, Northwestern, Boston University and UCLA.

We encourage any student, grades 10-12, with a serious interest in theatre to audition.

2009-2010 Ensemble Company

“Ensemble is for the actor who takes theatre very seriously and wants to work with others who share his/her passion and dedication.  This is an official apprenticeship from which I received professional level training and guidance from real working actors and directors.”
-- Gretchen McGinty (Mr. Tumnus in CTC’s debut production in ImaginOn,
   The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

“Ensemble instilled in my very bones the notion that hard work and fun are the same thing, and that theatre can truly be a transformative experience for both a team of actors and a group of spectators. It changed my entire outlook and greatly shaped the artist, and person, that I am today.”
-- Matt Cosper, (Winner of MTA’s 2006 award
for Best Director of a Comedy for Coyote Ugly)

“Ensemble is for the actor who is prepared to go to the next level with his or her acting career.  It is different from my high school drama program because of the highly individualized instruction, the unbreakable commitment of all those involved, and the rigorous exercises employed to develop the actor – not simply to enhance the play.”  -- Elsabeth Mesele

“Being in Ensemble has been the greatest experience of my life. The directors and other members of the company will consistently push you and test your dedication to the craft. Any young actor who is in love with the stage and all of the aspects of acting and is willing to learn and grow as an actor deserves to be in Ensemble.”
-- Kevin Shimko