Our Story

Our journey began in 2023 with a pilot project funded by the Central Carolina Community Foundation. That inaugural year, we wrote an original musical, Lemonade, and brought it to life outdoors at Leo’s Landing—the interactive playground at Saluda Shoals Park. The response from our performers, audiences, and caregivers was overwhelming.

 

Witnessing the profound impact of that first production, we knew we had to expand our community. We intentionally opened our doors to the family members, siblings, and friends of our performers with special needs, alongside local community members, inviting everyone to create art together both onstage and backstage.

 

To support this vibrant growth, we quickly grew our professional team. Today, our organization is proudly guided by a dedicated 7-member board, a 10-member advisory committee, a staff of three, and five exceptional teaching artists. Together, we are committed to creating inclusive, magical theater experiences for years to come.

 

Our journey is anything but ordinary.

Step by step, we focus on staying true to our voices and values while having fun at the same time.

Our Values


We Believe everyone harbors an artist inside them and has a story to tell

  • We Value the uniqueness in everyone

  • We Honor the process of creating art, the product is secondary

  • We Know experiencing the power and beauty of uniqueness and inclusion creates a better world

  • We Understand that our work must focus on removing labels

  • We Acknowledge that we are limitless

  • We Agree that having fun unleashes the creative spirit

Our Board of Directors

Sara Betenbaugh, Secretary

Elizabeth Houck-Zozaya, Member-At-Large

Mary Kessler, President

Cody Lidge, Member-At-Large

MaryAnne Banich Massey, Vice President

Rhett Pilgrim, Treasurer

Callison Rawl, Member-At-Large

Our Advisory Board

Jennifer Aplin

Tonya Cobb

Melissa Ellington

Emily Harrill

Harvey Jessup

Licia Jackson

Travis Luthren

MaryAnne Banich Massey

Ute Wachsmann-Linnan

Our Staff

Christopher Crabb, Choreographer

Larry Hembree, Executive Artistic Director

Janet Hopkins, Music Director

Elizabeth Leverton, Costumes & Marketing Staff

Darion McCloud, Acting Coach

Keith Tolen, Visual Arts

Hayden Uzalec, Marketing Staff

We’re proud of where we’ve been and we are

even more excited about what’s ahead!