mcdowell children's theatre

OUR NEXT SHOW

Sweeney Todd School Edition
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | School Edition

Performances: May 8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, 17
Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm | Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm
Tickets: $14 Adults | $12 for Students & Seniors
Locations: In the Greenlee Theatre at McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA)

About the Show
This special School Edition has been masterfully adapted, working directly with Stephen Sondheim to retain the dark wit and grand scope of the original work, with a few lyric and key changes to facilitate high school productions. An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and disappeared his young wife.

The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up...

TICKETS

SUMMER CAMP 2026 REGISTRATION

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical KIDS, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.

Join us for a two-week summer camp exploring (for actors and techies!) the world of Duloc and the creatures that inhabit it.

Actor Program Hours: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm daily
Tech Program Hours: Week 1 10:00 am to 1:00 pm & Week 2 12:00 pm to 3:00pm

Pre-Camp Auditions (Actors): July 1st and 2nd from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Performances: July 17 (2pm) July 18 (2pm & 5pm) July 19 (2pm)
Strike (required): July 21 & 22 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

actor registration is full for 2026

join the waitlist

TECH CREW registration (GRADES 5-12)

An overview of our policies and procedures:

AUDITION CENTRAL

TECHNICAL PROGRAM

From spotlight to soundboard, there’s a place for every child to shine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Who can audition or sign up for tech?
A: Sweeney Todd: Ages 13-18 years old
Shrek KIDS: TBA
Page to Stage: Ages 13-18 years old
Mary Poppins:

Q: How much does it cost?
A: There is no enrollment, participation, or materials fees.
It is 100% free. We may ask you to provide some basic costume pieces
(example: black pants/shirt) but we will provide them if necessary.

Q: What funds this program?
A: Ticket sales! Buy a ticket to the show and tell all your friends.
We are a non-profit program under the umbrella of McDowell Arts Council Association, a 501c3 organization.

Q: What is the play about?
A: You can learn more about Sweeney Todd (School Edition) here
You can learn more about SHREK KIDS here
You can learn more about Mary Poppins Jr here
You can learn more about Page to Stage here

Q: Who can I audition for?
A: HERE is a list of the characters in Sweeney Todd (School Edition)
HERE is a list of the characters in SHREK KIDS
HERE is a list of the characters in Mary Poppins Jr here
You write your own characters in Page to Stage!

Q: What do I bring to auditions?
A: 1) parent or guardian, 2) a song to sing, and 3) be prepared to spend at least 45 minutes at auditions.

Q: What do we do at auditions?
A: You will fill out a few forms, sing for the musical director and artistic director, and read scenes with other auditionees from the script.

Q: What do I need to do to prepare a song?
A: Be prepared to sing at least one verse of a song with the accompaniment track (karaoke track) that can connect to our Bluetooth speaker. You can also perform acapella or with an instrument if you wish. We recommend songs that show off your voice and range, like musical theatre songs. If you wish to be part of ensemble you may choose not to audition with a song.

Q: What do I need to do to sign up for tech?
A: Bring a parent/guardian, fill out a few forms, and pick up a calendar on audition days! Tech may arrive as early as 2 pm.

Q: What does tech do?
A: Tech makes props, builds the sets, designs the costumes, and makes the creative design choices for the show. Pre-show we work on set and costumes, during show we work on lights, sound, and backstage roles.

Q: Who runs this program?
A: The director/choreographer is Susan Pyatt-Baker, the musical director is Nora Mosrie, and the technical director is Anna Branam. There may also be high-school interns supporting the show throughout the semester.

Our 2026 Season

Spring 2026

Summer 2026

Fall 2026

Who we are (the grown-ups)

Susan Pyatt-Baker, Director and Choreographer
[email protected]

Nora Mosrie, Music Director
[email protected]

Anna Branam, Technical Director
[email protected]

Biscuit, Stage Manager
Instagram @mcdowellarts

Contact Information

Susan and Anna are also employees of McDowell Arts Council Association.
Regular office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 5pm and Saturdays from 11 to 4pm.
Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

MACA Office Number:
(828) 652-8610
Google Number (Text-Accessible):
(828) 559-1404

Our Location:
McDowell Arts Council Association
50 S Main St.
Marion NC 28752

Our Mailing Address:
McDowell Arts Council Association
PO Box 1387
Marion NC 28752

Child Safety Policy
McDowell Children’s Theatre has zero tolerance of child abuse. As an organization that serves children, our highest priority is child safety. It is the policy of MCT to empower and protect Youth by providing safe spaces for theatre education and experiences. We work every day to ensure our policies, procedures and practices embody the highest safety standards for the young people that we serve.

For questions or inquiries, please contact Executive Director Susan Pyatt-Baker at [email protected]

FULL CHILD SAFETY POLICY

make an anonymous conduct report

Contact Susan Pyatt-Baker at [email protected] or 828-652-8610 or Anna Branam at [email protected] or 828-559-1404 (text-accessible)