What's Happening

Recent news and stories - from the stage, behind-the-scenes, in our classrooms, and beyond.

CTC Performs at North Charleston Arts Fest

Our Resident Touring Company brings Schoolhouse Rock Live! to the 41st annual event.
North Charleston Arts Festival The North Charleston Arts Fest features five days of events highlighting regional and local artists and performers in the areas of Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Literature. Children's Theatre will perform on Fri, May 3 at the Northwoods Park Community Center. Details here.
FAST FACT: In 2018, the Arts Fest was selected as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society (an honor also received in 2008
Apr 2024

CTC Hosts NC Poetry Out Loud Competition

Unique program for high school students showcased talented young people from across the state.
Richmond Parris Poetry Out Loud is a national competition providing students with a platform to explore the beauty and power of poetry, while also honing their public speaking and performance skills. Children's Theatre of Charlotte was proud to host the North Carolina Regional and State Finals of the competition this year. Over 125,000 students across the nation participated in the program. Richmond Parris (pictured), a 12th-grade student from UNC School of the Arts in Forsyth County, won the competition, captivating judges and audiences alike with his passionate and eloquent recitations. He will move on to the national finals competition in Washington, DC, and compete for a $20,000 grand prize.
FAST FACT: CTC hosted 27 students from 17 NC counties who made it to the Regional and State Finals.
Feb 2024

Two Directing Assistantship Recipients Announced

Holly Nañes and Brandon J Johns will work with us in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Holly Nañes and Brandon J John We’re proud to announce the next two recipients of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship: Holly Nañes (L) and Brandon J Johns (R). The recipients will serve as an assistant director on three unique CTC productions, each differing in size, scope, style, theme, and tone. This internship will provide valuable professional directing experience at a nationally recognized theatre for young audiences.
FAST FACT: While Holly will be working with CTC for the first time, Brandon has been involved with many of our past productions.
Jan 2024

Poet and Teaching Artist Junious "Jay" Ward Takes to the Mic

Charlotte's inaugural Poet Laureate named MC for Poetry Out Loud Competition at ImaginOn
Jay Ward The 2018 National Slam champion and 2019 Individual World Poetry Slam champion will join the fun on Sat, Feb 24, 2024 as Master of Ceremonies. Jay currently serves as a Program Director for BreatheInk, where he facilitates writing and performance workshops and coaches youth poets attending Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Festival each year.
FAST FACT: His debut full length collection of poetry Composition is available now.
Nov 2023

Children's Theatre named NC partner for Poetry Out Loud.

High school students will come to ImaginOn for the statewide recitation contest in Feb 2024.
Poetry Out Loud Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry, helping students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence while learning about literary history and contemporary life. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.
FAST FACT: Since 2005, Poetry Out Loud has grown to reach more than 4.2 million students and 72,000 teachers from 18,000 schools and organizations.
Oct 2023

Catching the Moon: A Young Girls Baseball Dream picked for prestigious SC New Play Festival.

Four-day festival features yet-to-be-produced plays and musicals "by today’s hottest playwrights." See it on stage Mar 9-24, 2024
SC New Play FestivalThe second annual festival was held Aug 10-13 across five venues in Greenville and celebrated engaging and dynamic new plays and musicals from across the United States. The festival featured a variety presentation, two staged readings of new plays, a staged reading of a show for young audiences, a staged reading of a new musical, and a cabaret featuring a Broadway star. Additionally, CTC Artistic Director Adam Burke was invited to join a panel during the festival, discussing the post-COVID evolution of American Theater."
FAST FACT: The festival is billed as "a destination event for theater lovers and a unique opportunity for Southeastern audiences to meet the artists and shape the future of American theater."
Sept 2023

CTC Welcomes New Director of Education

EG Engle moves from NY to NC and brings a wealth of experience with her.
EG EngleFor the past 18 years, EG has served in various leadership roles in theater education, including associate director of education at TADA! Youth Theater (NY), drama director at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (SC), and education director at Trustus Theater (SC).
FAST FACT: EG and her husband are proud parents to a new baby boy!
Sept 2023

Balloonacy Wins Fringe Ovation Award

Non-verbal play recognized at South African National Arts Festival
Balloonacy wins awardThe play, being performed by the National Children’s Theatre of South Africa, was recognized for "being a cut above, well received by audiences, and that leave a lasting impression." 
FAST FACT: Balloonacy first premiered at Children's Theatre in 2018.
Aug 2023

An Up-And-Coming Artist Makes Her Mark

Lakeetha Blakeney brings her talent to three shows as a part of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship.
Lakeetha’s resume includes things like actor, Teaching Artist, and playwright to name a few. This season, she donned the hat of Assistant Director for our productions of Allie Kazan and the Magic Mansion, The Night Diary, and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Assistantship, geared at providing access and education to those facing barriers, gave Lakeetha professional directing experience with theatre for young audiences.
FAST FACT: As the inaugural recipient of the Directing Assistantship, Lakeetha's name lives on a plaque located next to the Box Office.
About Paige Johnston Thomas

Paige Johnston Thomas was a beloved member of Charlotte’s theatre community. As an actor, director, educator, and patron, she worked with and influenced so many of those creating live theatre in Charlotte. Paige's legacy and profound influence in the arts lives on through the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship.
May 2023

A Powerful Partnership

Autism Strong Foundation named exclusive sponsor of sensory-friendly performances for 2023-24 season.
Founded on faith and led by inclusion, the Foundation’s mission is to provide the strongest support, community and hope for those touched by autism. This sponsorship will provide access to families to attend all Sensory-Friendly shows at the Theatre.
FAST FACT: Children’s Theatre has offered sensory-friendly shows since 2016.
April 2023

Next Installment of The Kindness Project Planned for Spring 2024

Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream inspires kids to dream big.
Catching the MoonThe true story of the Black girl who grew up to become "Toni Stone", the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team, premieres at CTC as part of the 2023-24 season. The creative team held a workshop in July 2022 to kickstart the creative process. The script is being written and design work is underway, and the show hits the stage Mar 9-24, 2024. Get Tickets
FAST FACT: The Kindness Project is an initiative Children’s Theatre of Charlotte launched in 2017 to develop and commission original plays for young audiences that are grounded in actively displaying kindness toward others.
Dec 2022

A New Series Tackles Mental Health

The Front & Center Series brings a powerful touring production to all third graders in the CMS system.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) are collaborating to develop, present and tour an original play focused on mental and social wellness. The tour launches in Fall 2023 and is anticipated to perform in 100 elementary schools within the system. Click here to see all the programs we offer for CMS.
FAST FACT: The idea is inspired by the true story of students being able to share things they wish their teacher knew.
Nov 2022

The Puppetry Journal Gives Praise

The quarterly publication recognized Resident Designer & Crafts Specialist Magda Guichard's talents in a one-page article.
Magda Guichard is a gifted puppet designer and builder with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC). In 2011, she completed her MFA in production and costume design from Savannah College of Art and Design. In 2013, her first season at CTC, she was assigned to create a puppet for The Reluctant Dragon. Later, there was a 20-foot dragon for Shrek the Musical. Read the Puppetry Journal article.
FAST FACT: Magda is a former member of the Charlotte Roller Derby team.
Oct 2022