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