Children’s Theatre of Annapolis is pleased to announce the hiring of Atticus C. Boidy as its full-time technical director, effective Monday, December 5, 2022.
No stranger to CTA, Boidy has long been involved as both an artistic staff member, technical designer and teaching artist. Most recently, he helmed CTA’s productions of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” and “Annie” as director. Additionally, Atticus has directed productions at many other local theatres and schools, as well as worked in lighting design, stage management, set design and scenic artistry.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be working with CTA as its full-time technical director,” Boidy shared. “CTA has been a home theater for me since 2018, and I am looking forward to many more successful years to come. As an artist, taking on this position feels like a dream come true. As technical director, my goal is to continue to elevate the quality of productions and teach new children and volunteers the joys of technical theater.”
Every time the curtain opens, the audience hushes, and the first words are spoken, you know that your support made it happen—not just the production, but the transformation of stories come to life and the journey every young person at CTA makes toward learning who they are and how to express their individuality, making life-long friends along the way and discovering the magic of the performing arts.
This #GivingTuesday on November 29, 2022, consider making a gift to Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. Your support may help fund:
Tuition assistance for in-need students & performers.
Vital production elements such as sets, costumes, props, lighting equipment and more.
Field trips for Title I schools to see a CTA show.
Administrative or maintenance costs to keep CTA’s premiere facility up to date and safe.
Rights to shows for mainstage productions and educational programs.
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.
The hysterical musical, revolving around the creepiest and kookiest of families, runs from November 5-21, 2021, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis