OUR NEXT SHOW
Page to Stage: Original Short-Play Showcase
Performances July 31st at 7pm & August 1st at 2pm & 7pm
Performances July 31st at 7pm & August 1st at 2pm & 7pm
Page to Stage Summer 2026 will be our 4th installment of this theatre intensive. Teens ages 13 to 18 will have the opportunity to write their own original scripts, step up to direct, costume, build props, and create the world they have written in their scripts. This camp includes guest artists, workshop labs, and afternoon rehearsals followed by weekend performances July 31st at 7pm, August 1st at 2pm & 7pm
Join us for auditions and tech sign-up for Mary Poppins Jr!
Audition dates will be Tuesday July 28th and Wednesday July 29th from 4 to 6pm at McDowell Arts Council Association.
Performance dates will be October 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25.
More information about the musical can be found here: https://www.mtishows.com/cameron-mackintosh-and-disneys...]
Q: Who can audition or sign up for tech?
A: Auditions: ages 8-18
Tech: Grades 6-12
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, business sponsorships and family ads! 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 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!
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.
Audition dates will be Tuesday July 28th and Wednesday July 29th from 4 to 6pm at McDowell Arts Council Association.
Performance dates will be October 16, 17, 18 & 23, 24, 25.
More information about the musical can be found here: https://www.mtishows.com/cameron-mackintosh-and-disneys...]
Q: Who can audition or sign up for tech?
A: Auditions: ages 8-18
Tech: Grades 6-12
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, business sponsorships and family ads! 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 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!
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.
AUDITION CENTRAL
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PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
Performers of all experience levels are welcome at MCT.
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Our performance program follows students from the pre-audition process through strike with guidance from Susan Pyatt-Baker and Nora Mosrie. Susan directs our shows and teaches choreography, while Nora teaches works with both the whole group and individuals on their vocal performances.
Full-length shows require a 10 to 12 week commitment with rehearsals 2-3 times per week (typically Tuesdays, Thursdays, and some Saturdays) followed by two weekend of performances (4 performances per weekend). Shows require teamwork between the directors, actors, and their families to show up, work hard, and produce magical shows that everyone is proud of. Summer Camps are typically 2 weeks of rehearsals, followed by one weekend of performances. These shows are usually "JR" or "KIDS" adaptations of shows and last 45 minutes to 1 hour. Page to Stage is an immersive 1 week program that hosts featured guests, workshops, and the opportunity for all participants to write, direct, tech, costume, and produce their own short plays to be performed over one weekend (4 performances). |
TECHNICAL PROGRAM
From spotlight to soundboard, there’s a place for every child to shine.
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Our technical theatre program from the first read-through to strike days. With guidance from Anna Branam, tech members can expect to gain experience, skills, and larger responsibilities over the rehearsal process.
Full-length shows require a 10 to 12 week commitment with tech rehearsals twice per week (typically Wednesdays and Fridays) followed by two weekend of performances (4 performances per weekend). Summer Camps are typically 2 weeks of rehearsals, followed by one weekend of performances. These shows are usually "JR" or "KIDS" adaptations of shows and last 45 minutes to 1 hour. Page to Stage is an immersive 1 week program that hosts featured guests, workshops, and the opportunity for all participants to write, direct, tech, costume, and produce their own short plays to be performed over one weekend (4 performances). Tech Crew runs every aspect of the production at MCT. Students run the lights, sound, special effects, set changes, build every prop, create costumes, and stage manage every production. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who can audition or sign up for tech?
A: Sweeney Todd: Ages 13-18 years old
Shrek KIDS: K-12th Grade
Page to Stage: Ages 13-18 years old
Mary Poppins: TBA
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.
We exist because of community support like sponsorships and ad purchases!
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
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Summer 2026
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Summer 2026
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Fall 2026
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Who we are (the grown-ups)
Susan Pyatt-Baker, Director and Choreographer [email protected] |
Nora Mosrie, Music Director [email protected] |
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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
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
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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 Contact Susan Pyatt-Baker at [email protected] or 828-652-8610 or Anna Branam at [email protected] or 828-559-1404 (text-accessible)
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CONTACT INFORMATION
McDowell Arts Council Association (maca) Hours: Tuesday through Friday 12-5pm Saturdays 11-4pm All other times by appointment. Street Address: 50 S MAIN ST MARION NC Mailing Address: PO BOX 1387 Phone Number: 828-652-8610 Text Accessible (Google Number): 828-559-1404 Email Address: [email protected] |
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The arts are for everyone.
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COPYRIGHT © 2026 MCDOWELL COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL ASSOCIATION
McDowell Arts Council Association acknowledges that we live and work on occupied land. McDowell County is the native territory of the Catawba and Cherokee people.