Wachovia/Wells Fargo's GLEE FOR THE FAMILY! is a Hit!

Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Wachovia/Wells Fargo, North Carolina Theatre and Marbles Kids Museum have now performed two workshops as a part of First Friday called GLEE FOR THE FAMILY at Marbles Kids Museum that teaches entire families to be all-star singers and dancers.


The first session of the year was in February and it was a great success. We had over 100 participants packed into a multi-purpose room at Marbles. The participants learned the great R&B ballad "River Deep, Mountain High" and then learned a dance to it! Pianist and vocal coach Julie Bradley, and Director/Choreographer Tito Hernandez, accompanied by two of the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory's biggest student talents, taught two workshops to masses of people...it was a blast to watch and hear! And I think we have some undiscovered talent in Raleigh! (Moms and Dads out there...we saw you!)

The next workshop was held in May and featured a performance from the hottest stars of the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory doing a medley from the musical Hello, Dolly! Everything from "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" to "Elegance" was performed in song and dance. Then the families learned the song "Before the Parade Passes By." We made Sunday hats, paraded through the building, and sang beautifully - another First Friday success with Marbles.

Stay tuned for our third First Friday event at Marbles! You are invited to attend a Hairspray Dance Party, Friday July 1st from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at Marbles Kids Museum located in downtown Raleigh! Visit www.marbleskidsmuseum.org for complete details.

We hope to see you there and thank you to those who made the first two workshops a huge success!

~Heather Patterson King
Director of Outreach; Acting Department Head
North Carolina Theatre Conservatory

Conservatory Spotlight: Master STAS Auditions

This summer, the Master STAS production will be All Shook Up. Auditions are this Saturday, January 22nd at 1:30 PM at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh. The production will be directed and choreographed by Tito Hernandez.

The Conservatory is seeking male and female singers and dancers, ages 13 to 21, for the hit musical sensation All Shook Up inspired by and featuring songs of the late Elvis Presley. Several principal, supporting and ensemble roles are available.

If you are interested in auditioning, here's what you need to know:

• be prepared to sing 32 bars of music that best shows your ability and range, preferably in the style of the show
• a piano accompanist is provided
• please have sheet music in your key
• you will learn a dance combination following your vocal audition so please bring appropriate attire and be prepared to dance

Rehearsal and show information:

• rehearsals will run July 18-August 10
• performances are August 11-14
• no conflicts allowed
• if you would like to audition for NC Theatre's production of Hairspray and are cast in that production as well, the rehearsal and show schedule will work so that you are able to do both productions at the same time

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Mary Adamek at 919-855-9960 or email madamek@nctheatre.com. For more information, click here.

NC Theatre Conservatory Dance Company to Perform at Winterfest!

Bundle up and head to WinterFest this Saturday from 4 PM to 11 PM on City Plaza in downtown Raleigh! It is a two month long extravaganza featuring an outdoor skating rink with natural ice.

The NC Theatre Conservatory Dance Company will perform two holiday-themed numbers - Jingle Bells and Eight Days of Christmas - at 5:30 PM. You do not want to miss their shining talents!

This family-friendly event is a true celebration with lots of entertainment including Jaron and the Long Road to Love and Christian Kane, along with a special performance by The Embers.

Fun activities for the family include Santa's Village, carriage rides, Christmas tree lighting, ice skating and more. Click here for a complete schedule of events and all the information you need to know for the event!

Katherine Fritsch & The Carolina Panthers

You might recognize Katherine or "KK" Fritsch from her various roles in North Carolina Theatre productions Annie, Peter Pan, Chess, Whistle Down the Wind, The Wizard of Oz andJoseph...Dreamcoat...or you may know her as the National Anthem singer for the Carolina Hurricanes. She also takes classes at the NC Theatre Conservatory - where she takes various classes to hone her skills and talents in acting, singing and dance.

Well, she recently sang the National Anthem for the Carolina Panthers in front of thousands of fans...check out some fun pictures below:

Congrats, KK! We look forward to hearing about additional exciting opportunities that will surely come your way.

A Christmas Story Cast Member on WRAL

Alexa Robertson is in the upcoming production, A Christmas Story, running December 7-24 in Fletcher Theater. She is also a student at our Conservatory and was in our recent productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella and Annie.

We are so proud of her for her accomplishments in the NYC workshop of the Broadway revival, Ruthless! We wish her the best of luck and hope we will get to travel to see her on BROADWAY one day in the near future.

Check out her fascinating and inspiring story that aired on WRAL last night:

Inside Look at FAME Rehearsals

Students who are in our Master STAS (Summer Theatre Arts School) production of FAME! The Musical have been taking master classes, workshops and rehearsing for their upcoming production, which runs July 8th through 11th at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh - near Triangle Towne Center.

Tickets are on sale now ($15 each) and are also available at the door! Call the Conservatory at 919-855-0015 to purchase yours in advance - you do not want to miss this great production. The kids have worked so hard and it is going to be a huge success! For more information on the production, visit www.nctheatre.com/conservatory/stas.html.

Some students sent in some photos from the rehearsal process - enjoy!

NCT Conservatory Students in NYC

On June 10^th, members of the NCT Conservatory Company classes made their 3^rd annual trip to NYC for 4 days of workshops, classes, Broadway shows, special celebrity guests and general “pigging out” NYC-style.

We all attended Promises, Promises and Memphis (two nights before it won the Tony) as a group, and then various shows on the final night including American Idiot, Next to Normal and Wicked.

Senior Company members were treated to a Memphis workshop with Raleigh and NCT’s own Charlie Williams. Junior Company members attended a Fosse workshop with Broadway veteran Carol Shuberg. All Company members attended a Hair workshop with original cast member Paris Remillard.

On Saturday morning we attended a musical theatre audition workshop with Phil Reno, Grammy nominated conductor and musical director of Promises, Promises. After the workshop ,the kids were “surprised” by a visit from Emmy and Tony award winner Kristin Chenoweth. Kristin met each student personally (to those who could still speak) and talked about her love of the theatre while passing on some words of motivation.

With Kristin Chenoweth

Introductions - they are all star struck

We had some great meals at Carmines and Broadway Joes and stayed right in Times Square at the Millenium Hotel. Tito Hernandez and I love experiencing our old “stomping grounds” with our students and getting the chance to share our friends and colleagues on Broadway with the kids.

Here are some more fun pictures while we were in NYC:

Taking a dance workshop

Everyone with Memphis's (and NCT's) Charlie Williams

NCT Conservatory student Kelsey Walston performing for her friends

Students and parents attending were:
Joy Polhemus
Tara Polhemus
Michelle Rashid
Lily Rashid
Shelby van Venrooy
Anna van Venrooy
Alexis van Venrooy
Kelsey Waslton
Miriam Davis
Meredith Davis
Suzanne Williamson
Logan Williamson
Lydia Leggett
Amy Glass
Brooke Wilson
Radhika Pasi
Laura Bottomley
Katie Bottomley
Anne Bell
Sarah Bell
Donna Gregory
Avery Hoerdemann
Kim Grissom
Carly Grissom
Page Link
Caleigh Link
Angela Simone
Gabby Simone
Lauren Richardson
Morgan Richardson
Haley Richardson
Katharine Richardson
John Richardson
Jack Richardson
Keith Shannon
Reed Shannon

Thanks to all participants and here’s to next years’ trip!!

Ray Walker

Meet the Orphans of NCT's ANNIE!

English Bernhardt* (Annie)

Katherine Fritsch* (July/Annie understudy)

Mary Kate Englehardt* (Molly)

Kelsey Healey* (Tessie)

Payton Prince* (Duffy)

Alexa Robertson* (Kate)

Kelsey Walston* (Pepper)

Allison Cochrane* (Orphan)

Grace DeLoache (Orphan)

Avery Hoerdemann* (Orphan)

Hannah Hoskins (Orphan)

Mary Callan Kelso* (Orphan)

Hayley Lundberg* (Orphan)

Alexis van Venrooy* (Orphan)

Cady van Venrooy* (Orphan)

*Denotes the actress takes classes at the NC Theatre Conservatory

NCT Conservatory Student Wins Scholarship!

Congrats to Emily Gardenhire for winning the Artist of Tomorrow (AOT) Scholarship - she was one of five students to receive the award. Each will receive $1,000 college scholarships and she won for theatre/musical theatre.

She will be recognized at the Pieces of Gold ceremony on March 10th. For more information on this program, please click here. AOT Scholarships are supported soley through generous local contributions.

NCT Conservatory Artistic Director Ray Walker says, "Emily Gardenhire was one of my very first voice students. She has studied with me for 6 years and in that time has become an integral part of the NCT Conservatory student body. She is an absolute shining example to all other students. We are so proud that her hard work and perseverance has paid off in such a wonderful way."

Conservatory Students Perform Cinderella at Cardinal Club

Cardinal Club members were in for a treat last Friday evening (right before the big snow!). Led by Ray Walker and accompanied by Jay Wright, Conservatory students Paige Burhans, Alex Tobey, Katie Bottomley and Meredith Davis lent their voices and talents in a mini-production of our upcoming show, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella: Enchanted Edition. They delighted the audience with their performance - kudos for their hard work and energy! Here are some photos from the event:

Paige Burhans as Cinderella

Evil Stepsisters Katie Bottomley and Meredith Davis

Stepsisters take 2: Katie Bottomley and Meredith Davis

Prince Charming AKA Alex Tobey

Mingling with some of the audience members

The whole group after the performance!

Tickets are now on sale for Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, which runs April 10-18 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium and stars Paolo Montalban. Click here to buy!

Master STAS "Fame" Auditions This Saturday!

Master STAS presents

Auditions for Master STAS will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010 beginning at 1:30 pm at the Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh (near Triangle Towne Center). Be prepared to sing 16 bars in the style of the show. A dance combination will also be taught at the audition.

What is STAS?
Summer Theatre Arts School (STAS) is an intensive performing arts school for all ages. The theatre school consists of workshops, classes and productions led by some of New York and Raleigh's best performing artists and educators. All acting classes and rehearsals take place at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive Raleigh, NC 27616 near Triangle Town Center in North Raleigh.

When is it?
Master STAS will run from June 14-July 11, 2010. The performances of Fame the Musical will be July 8-11, 2010.

Week 1- Consists of a series of all day workshops offered by some of the finest New York City theater professionals.
Weeks 2 and 3- Rehearsals and production for Fame the Musical directed by Tito Hernandez /Artistic director, Ray Walker.
Week 4- Technical rehearsals and performances.

Where is it?
Master STAS will be held at the NC Theatre Conservatory located at 3043 Barrow Drive in North Raleigh.

Who can attend?
Master STAS is for serious musical theatre students ages 11-21.

How much does it cost?
The cost is $1100.00. Need-based scholarships are available. For questions, please call the Conservatory at 919-855-0015.

For additional information, visit www.nctheatre.com/conservatory/stas.html.

2nd Annual BFA Showcase at the NC Theatre Conservatory

It’s amazing how much stress and anxiety can ooze from five teenagers in one room. This past weekend, five of NCT Conservatory’s top students performed in the BFA Showcase for three professors from top performing arts schools. Professors include Aubrey Berg from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Gayle Seaton from Florida State University and Mark Madama from theUniversity of Michigan.

Lydia Leggett, Jessica Koons, Logan Williamson, Carly Jordan & Meredith Davis were the lucky few who would be running through a mock audition with these professors.

First, they learned a new dance routine taught by Tito Hernandez. Then, they were given group feedback and changed to prepare for their individual audition. They sang one song and performed one monologue for the panel and were then critiqued individually. All of the professors had great criticism and the students each went away knowing what they needed to work on. While the overall mood was anxious and nervous, they all received priceless advice that will help them when they start auditioning for colleges.

This was the second year that the NCT Conservatory has provided a BFA Showcase and all the parents, students, and professors had nothing but positive things to say about the program!

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please click here for more details or call NCTC program director, Heather Patterson King, at 919-855-0015.

A Teaching Nun's Life...

This summer I have the joy of working not only as a teacher with the North Carolina Theatre’s Education Department but also as Sister Margaretta, a nun in the theatre’s production of The Sound of Music. And that is just what it is: “a joy.” I say this because not many words can describe the feeling of watching your own students grow as performers and individuals in the rehearsal and performance process of a full musical theatre production, and having the opportunity to work along side them – being then a part of that growth.

Part of this joy comes from watching the students take the ideas, philosophies and skills you have developed with them and use the skill on the stage in a major regional theatre production. Now we can reference actual moments in the classroom as well as allow the onstage experiences to reciprocate. For me, the best part of this production is seeing the students grow as individual performers – taking information and creating their own way of approaching material and creating as actors.

It is also a joy for me to experience the themes and material of The Sound of Music with the students. I see, and hopefully the students see, how theatre and music can transcend the everyday and help young artists as well as the community as a whole to touch on the artistic side of each of us. Experiencing a production such as this that focuses so much on the joy of creating art can encourage all those involved, from artist to audience, to become more creative and live their lives more fully and completely. And if all goes well we see how this translates to all those around us, fills our lives and everyone we come in contact with, with a more complete sense of self, a new way of approaching life, a fuller sense of living.

As a teacher, doing a production always teaches me. It makes me a better teacher by recharging the artistic battery and teaching me new ways of approaching material with my students. It may be new methodology of directing, working with others, and creating as a group. For the joy of teaching always is the give and take of ideas.

~Heather Patterson King, Sister Margaretta in The Sound of Music AND Program Director/Acting Department Head at the NC Theatre Conservatory