Based on the best-selling novels, this magical production upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—You’ve never seen Neverland like this before! The Tony Award-winning play, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” soars into Children’s Theatre of Annapolis from February 3-19, 2023, bringing a colorful cast of characters and the magic of imagination with it.
The story begins when a miserable orphan and his friends are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. When the ship is taken over by pirates, the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.
“You might think you know the story of Peter Pan, but ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ offers up a brand-new version about this beloved literary character,” said Kelsey Casselbury, CTA publicity chair.
Peter and the Starcatcher” features 17 young performers from Anne Arundel County. Finn Hintermister, an 11th-grader at Annapolis High School, plays the role of the boy/Peter Pan, while Justin Porath, who is in ninth grade at Annapolis High, plays the villainous Black Stache. Joining them onstage is South River High School senior Lia Klug as Molly Aster and 11th-grade homeschooler Teaghan McLaughlin as Smee.
The show marks the directorial debut for longtime CTA Board Member Allyson Tierney, who is assisted by student director Jeremiah Gilbert. Michelle Bruno serves as music director with Rosie Hess as student music director. Cate Weiss is the student choreographer.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” opens on Friday, February 3, 2023, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through February 19, 2023. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students age 12 and under, seniors and military. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased on CTA’s website.
To arrange interviews with the cast or artistic staff, contact Kelsey Casselbury at publicity@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. If you are interested in reviewing the production, please contact us for up to two complimentary tickets.
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) was established in 1959 and has grown to become a premiere theatre program in central Maryland. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mounts three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of theatre arts education programming. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org
The story of an extraordinary girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny plays from October 21 to November 6, 2022, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—A classic children’s novel comes to life on stage as Children’s Theatre of Annapolis mounts a production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, running from October 21 to November 6, 2022.
Mia Rinehart, Harper Wright and Finn Hintermister. Photo by Wendy Hickok Photography.
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning musical revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Matilda features 26 local performers aged 9 to 17 years old. Harper Wright, 10, of Millersville, stars as the titular character, while Mia Rinehart, 16, and Finn Hintermister, 16, both of Annapolis, play the roles of Mrs. and Mr. Wormwood, respectively, Matilda’s parents. Additionally, both in their CTA debuts, Anna Porter, 16, of Crofton, performs as Miss Honey and Matthew Earle, 17, of Edgewater, plays the role of Trunchbull.
“Matilda the Musical, the first production of our 2022-2023 ‘Season of Stories,’ brings some of children’s literature’s most beloved characters to life,” said Kelsey Casselbury, CTA publicity chair. “It’s a story that audiences of all ages will enjoy, as well as a perfect introduction to live theatre for children.”
The show is directed by Atticus Cooper Boidy, who last helmed CTA’s “Annie” in May 2022. He is joined by veteran musical director Emily L. Sergo and new-to-CTA choreographer Brandon Glass.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical opens on Friday, October 21, 2022, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through November 6, 2022. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students age 12 and under, seniors and military. Group discounts and season subscriptions are available. Purchase tickets at cta.ticketleap.com.
To arrange interviews with the cast or artistic staff, contact Kelsey Casselbury at publicity@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. If you are interested in reviewing the production, please contact us for up to two complimentary tickets.
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) was established in 1959 and has grown to become a premiere theatre program in central Maryland. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mounts three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of theatre arts education programming. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
Expected to be completed in Fall 2023, the facility expansion will feature a black box theatre, new classroom space and a lobby featuring local artists.
The classic musical about hope, hijinks and finding home will be on stage from May 6-22, 2022, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Leapin’ Lizards! “Annie,” one of the world’s best-loved musicals, takes stage at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis next month, running from May 6-22, 2022. Based on the irrepressible comic strip heroine, and with equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations…and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt!Read More
The hysterical musical, revolving around the creepiest and kookiest of families, runs from November 5-21, 2021, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—America’s favorite creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family is back, appearing on the stage at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis in The Addams Family, a musical comedy, running from November 5-21, 2021.
The king of the apes swings to Children’s Theatre of Annapolis’ stage in this adaptation of the Disney film.
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) is proud to open its 61st season with Tarzan, based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and featuring music by rock legend, Phil Collins, including the Academy Award-winning “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The production runs from November 1 to 17, 2019, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis.
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan’s life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe’s territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.
CTA’s production features 28 local teenagers, who attend myriad middle and high schools, including Bates Middle, Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High, Magothy Middle, Severn River Middle, Severna Park Middle, Annapolis Area Christian, Annapolis High, Broadneck High, Kent Island High, Key School, North County High, Severna Park High and South River High, as well as home-schooled students.
The production is directed by Gerrad Alex Taylor, who also oversees all programing in The Studio at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and teaches at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He’s joined by music director/conductor Emily L. Sergo, a CTA alumna who’s also worked with Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre and Colonial Players of Annapolis, and choreographer Jason Kimmell, who also serves at CTA’s theatre operations manager/education director. The trio last teamed up as the artistic staff for CTA’s production of Shrek during the 2013-2014 season.
Tarzan runs from November 1 to 17, 2019, at CTA’s facility located at 1661 Bay Head Road in Annapolis. Tickets, which are $15 adults and $12 seniors, military and kids 12 and under, and can be purchased online at CTA.ticketleap.com.
The cast and artistic staff of Tarzan are available for interviews. To schedule, email Kelsey Casselbury at ctapublicity@gmail.com. For more information about CTA, visit the website at www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
April Forrer takes the helm of Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, as the nonprofit installs the 2019-2021 Board of Directors
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of April Forrer as its next executive director, effective July 1, 2019.
Forrer joins CTA from Baltimore-based Iron Crow, where she serves as the part-time managing director of the theatre. Previously, Forrer also worked as managing director and resident costume designer for Baltimore Shakespeare Factory and as director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.
“April brings an impressive combination of operations management, fundraising and marketing skills to our organization,” said Kelsey Casselbury, the newly elected president of CTA. “Her long history with and love of theatre is simply the cherry on top.”
Forrer has a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She brings to CTA more than 15 years of both nonprofit and theatrical experience.
“I am thrilled to be joining Children’s Theatre of Annapolis and to become a part of the fabulous team dedicated to children in the arts,” Forrer said. “We are excited about our plans to grow to and to increase our reach into our community.”
Forrer succeeds Michelle Lucente, who departed the organization on May 31 after three successful years as executive director. Forrer joins CTA’s other full-time employee, Jason Kimmell, who serves as theatre operations manager and director of education, in furthering the organization’s mission of nurturing the growth and development of the love of theatre in children age 5 to 18.
The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis also welcomes its 2019-2021 Board of Directors, installed July 1. The executive board consists of:
Kelsey Casselbury, President: Casselbury has served on the CTA Board of Directors for 7 years, most notably as the chair of publicity and 2017-2019 secretary. She runs her own freelance writing, editing and design business.
Michelle Bruno, Vice President: Bruno has served as artistic staff and as a teaching artist, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, since 2015. Professionally, she works as Associate Director of Quality Control for a local pharmaceutical company.
Jaime Thompson, Treasurer: Thompson was elected to the Board of Directors in 2019. She serves as the CFO for her business, Bayside Accounting and Consulting.
Tracy Rinehart, Secretary: Rinehart, a former high school teacher, has been involved in CTA for three years and joined the board of directors in 2018. Rinehart has served several years on the executive PA board at the Key School, and has served on the Board of the Annapolis Book Festival since 2013.
Beth Wilson, Immediate Past President: Wilson served as CTA president from 2017-2019, secretary from 2015-2017 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2015. She is employed as a nurse at University of Maryland Medical Center.
The additional valued members of the Board of Directors are Tiffany Dean, Natalie Devries, Kathy Garrity, Cathy Hollerbach, Natasha Hitchcock, Dylan Roche and Allyson Tierney.
ANNAPOLIS, MD—On the heels of winning the prestigious Ruby Griffith Award for All-Around Production Excellence for its 2018 production of Beauty and the Beast, Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) is pleased to announce its 2018-2019 season, which celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the opening of its Bay Head Park theatre facility.
In honor of the milestone, CTA will present the musical Peter Pan, which was the first show produced in its theatre 10 years ago. The classic musical starred Mary Martin on Broadway in 1954 and was recently produced on live TV in 2014 on NBC, starring Allison Williams and Christopher Walken. Auditions for Peter Pan will be held August 25, 26 and 27, 2018, and are open to youth ages 12 to 18.
Additionally, CTA brings a straight play back to its stage this year, producing The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, based on C.S. Lewis’ acclaimed novel. Auditions for the play will be held October 13 and 14, 2018, and are open to youth ages 8 to 18. Rounding out the season is the magical musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr., which audiences will recognize from the beloved 1968 movie musical starring Dick Van Dyke. Auditions, open to youth ages 8 to 14, will be held January 19 and 20, 2019.
“CTA is thrilled to celebrate the anniversary of its theatre facility with a trio of magical adventures that our audiences will love,” said Executive Director Michelle Lucente. “Not only are we excited to bring Peter Pan back to our stage, but we also look forward to celebrating this special milestone with all the hard-working, dedicated people whose perseverance have brought CTA’s vision to life.”
Season subscriptions are now available for purchase, allowing patrons to see all three shows at a discount. Subscriptions can be purchased by calling the box office at 410-757-2281, ext. 5. Children’s Theatre of Annapolis has been providing theatre arts education to Annapolis youth since 1959 and, in addition to its mainstage productions, offers a variety of performing arts and technical theatre workshops and classes throughout the year.
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The hysterical musical, revolving around the creepiest and kookiest of families, runs from November 5-21, 2021, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis