Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a nationally-recognized theatre company in Charlotte, North Carolina, founded in 1948. We produce professional theatre experiences for children and families through Mainstage productions, educational programs, and outreach initiatives, inspiring generations to explore the wonder of their world.
While reaching more than 250,000 children, families, and educators annually with our programming, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte provides a space that cultivates creativity and gives children a sense of belonging. The Theatre takes pride in leading the storytellers of tomorrow, asking children to think and dream big and stay true to themselves. This philosophy, coupled with viewing the world through the lens of kindness, led the company to form the initiative, The Kindness Project.
Each season, we mount productions for public and school audiences and provide educational programming at our facility and satellite locations throughout Mecklenburg County. Our Resident Touring Company takes the magic of live theatre to primarily rural areas throughout the Southeast. Designing initiatives with our county’s students in mind, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have been programmatic partners for more than 30 years. In-school programs place specialists in classrooms to use drama as a vehicle for teaching core curricula subjects and after-school enrichment programs take theatre instruction to students across the county.
From stage to classroom, our work is supported by a staff of professional artists, educators and administrators to ensure it is of the highest caliber and relevance. To learn more about the Theatre and its programs, visit ctcharlotte.org or call 704-973-2828.
chriss@ctcharlotte.org
http://www.ctcharlotte.org
300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Mecklenburg
704-973-2800
704-973-2829
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Resident Touring Company, (formerly known as the Tarradiddle Players) has performed throughout the Southeast for 40 years. The company tours from September through May, annually reaching 85,000 students and teachers as it delivers more than 250 performances in nearly 45 counties, 80 percent of which are considered rural. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte designs these shows toward a wide variety of ages, from as young as kindergarten to as old as 7th grade. Additionally, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte offers a separate preschool tour for children ages 3 to 5.
Showcasing intimate storytelling at its best, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte performances build on simple but powerful theatrical styles, bringing characters to life with humor, depth and emotional understanding.
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Our 2023-24 touring performances include:
When a package arrives at a rail station, an argument erupts about the contents inside. Are they pets or pigs?
The station master and customer squabble over the rate to pay for purchase. “If animals come in singles or if they come in sets, if they’ve got four feet and they’re alive, they’ll be classified as pets!” (Recommended for ages 3 and older)
Themes: Pigs is Pigs focuses on listening, problem solving, and compromise.
Schoolhouse Rock Live!
Tour available Sept 2023 – May 2024
Prices start at $995 per performance
The alarm clock rings and Tom awakens, nervous to start his first
day of teaching. He turns on the TV to relax and is surprised when
the voices he hears in his head come to life as characters in the
television set! Tom is hesitant at first to accept them, but eventually
they help him see how great a teacher he has been all along.
Themes: Friendship, identity, inclusion
(Recommended for grades K-5)
Danny, King of the Basement
Tour available Sept 2023 – May 2024
Prices start at $995 per performance
A POWERFUL STORY THAT PROVES HOME IS MORE THAN SIMPLY
WHERE YOU LIVE.
10-year-old Danny “Delco” Carter is the “king of moving.” When
Danny and his mom move into a basement apartment on an upscale
street, the kids he meets have more material things, but they seem to
have bigger challenges than he realizes. Danny’s imaginative play
creates a sense of community that allows his friends to cope with
their problems and, ultimately, to help Danny – because Danny’s
challenge isn’t losing a home – it’s gaining one.
Themes: Poverty, friendship, the power of positivity
(Recommended for grades 3rd grade and up)
All productions meet specific language and theatre arts curriculum standards. We’ve designed resource guides, which provide innovative connections to additional Common Core and North Carolina Essential Standards, to complement each production, deepen the theatre experience, extend the educational value and spark classroom conversations. Guides include information about the author/playwright, discussion questions, vocabulary words, recommended reading lists and engaging activities.
Margot Parrott
704-973-2808
margotp@ctcharlotte.org
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s productions tour from September – May. In 2023-24, touring productions will include Schoolhouse Rock Live! and Danny, King of the Basement. The Preschool Tour production, Pigs is Pigs, is available from February 19 – March 29, 2024. Visit ctcharlotte.org for more information.
As its schedule allows, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte can accommodate show times that best suit schools and booking venues. Typically, the company performs two performances a day: one in the morning and another in the afternoon, but two back to back performances can also be scheduled if needed. Evening and weekend performance times are also available.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Resident Touring Company actors travel with all costumes, set pieces and sound equipment and are proficient at using gyms, multi-purpose rooms and other “non-stage” spaces. Space must be at least 20x20x12. Actors wear wireless mics so they can be heard in assembly performances.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte travels throughout the region, most frequently in North and South Carolina, but it also tours parts of Georgia and Virginia. With Charlotte as Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s home base, the company spends a significant amount of time in Mecklenburg County.
The Resident Touring Company fee begins at $995. Preschool tour fees begin at $495. Contact Margot Parrott at margotp@ctcharlotte.org or 704-973-2808 for more information.
SL2: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
RL2: Recount stories, including fables, folktales and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
RL7: Analyze the extent to which a live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors
From the arts education, theatre arts standards: 4.A.1.2: Critique choices made about characters, settings and events as seen or portrayed in formal and information productions.
3.CU.2.1: Illustrate theatre etiquette appropriate to the performance situation.
2.AE.1.2: Understand how the use of costumes, props and masks enhance dramatic play.
In the event the presenter cancels a performance, the presenter will forfeit its $150 deposit. If the cancellation occurs within two weeks of the performance, the presenter remains responsible for 50% of the total contracted fee, less the $150 deposit. Cancellations must be made by email to margotp@ctcharlotte.org.