Interview with Corey Mitchell, director for The Color Purple
Interview with our director for The Color Purple, Corey Mitchell
TC: Describe The Color Purple in 3 words or less.
CM: Show about love.
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
CM: Most recently, I directed The Prom for the teen summer show in 2023. My roots with TC go back almost 25 years, when I performed in my first show in Charlotte as Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
TC: Is there a particular character, scene, or song that you are most excited to see come to life?
CM: It would have to be the opening of Act II, Africa Homeland. Everything in that scene is intricate and exquisite. The music, the dance, the costumes, and Nettie's letters blend together to immerse Celie into a very different life from her own.
Interview with Brian Lafontaine, director for God of Carnage
Interview with our director for God of Carnage, Brian Lafontaine
TC: Describe God of Carnage in 3 words or less.
BL: Civilized chaos
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
BL: Most recently, I was the Assistant Director for The Play That Goes Wrong. My last appearance on the TC stage was as Oscar Madison in TC's production of The Odd Couple.
TC: What about this show makes you excited to direct it?
BL: I'm really looking forward to directing God of Carnage this season. It's a fantastic show. 4 people. One location. No intermission. Flip the "On" switch and let the mayhem take off and see who's left standing by the end. I'm very familiar with the show. I was fortunate enough to see the original Tony Award Winning Broadway production when I was living in NY, and I had the great pleasure of being in a production in 2013. This show is a workout, and worth every moment.
Interview with Elizabeth Edgeworth Sickerman, director for Over the River and Through the Woods
Interview with our director for Over the River and Through the Woods, Elizabeth Edgeworth Sickerman
TC: Describe Over the River in 3 words.
EES: Lively, Poignant, Human
TC: Welcome to the TC family! What shows or theatres have you recently been a part of?
EES: As an instructor at Central Piedmont Community College, I recently directed a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and served as the fight choreographer for Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters. I also worked as a dramaturg on BNS Production’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson earlier this year. You may have even seen me sharing my love of folklore in Uptown Charlotte as a year-round guide with Carolina History & Haunts. I’m excited to collaborate with the phenomenal team at Theatre Charlotte for the first time on this production.
TC: What about this show makes you excited to direct it?
EES: "Over the River and Through the Woods" is a character-driven play and every role is complex. There’s a lot to unpack. I look forward to seeing what the actors bring to the stage.
Interview with Steve Price, director for A Christmas Carol
Interview with our director for A Christmas Carol, Steve Price
TC: Describe A Christmas Carol in 3 words.
SP: Spirited Therapy Session
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
SP: I've enjoyed participating in 3 productions with Theatre Charlotte. Two of which were as Bob Cratchit in this very play, A Christmas Carol in 2022 and 2023! And most recently as the very un-Cratchit-like Lenny Ganz in Neil Simon's Rumors in 2024.
TC: What about this show makes you excited to direct it?
SP: There's something inherently heartwarming about this story, and seeing the worst person you know discover the error of their way and make such an enormous shift to kindness, empathy, and charity. I think we could use a lot more Christmas Spirits working overtime these days, and hopefully TC's annual production brings a bit of an awakening to everyone who sees it.
Interview with Jill Bloede, director for Murder on the Orient Express
Interview with our director for Murder on the Orient Express, Jill Bloede
TC: Describe Murder on the Orient Express in 3 words.
JB: Captivating Case. Poirot. (OK, no fair only letting me choose 3 words. How about "You won't see the ending coming" or "Trickiest case for Hercule Poirot")
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
JB: Recently? Well, there was The Nerd, Addams Family, Christmas Carol, and most recently directed The Odd Couple. I had the privilege to perform Penny in You Can't Take it With You, and bucket-list-role: Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest
TC: We assume you are thrilled to be directing this show, so talk to us about why you are excited and what you're most looking forward to.
JB: You assume correctly - I'm thrilled to direct this thriller!!! Having directed this one before for Belmont Abbey, I learned a lot and am looking forward to a new bunch of collaborators to bring this great script to life for a larger audience.
Interview with Scott Albert, director for Little Shop of Horrors
Interview with our director for Little Shop of Horrors, Scott Albert
TC: Describe Little Shop of Horrors in 3 words.
SA: FUN + QUIRKY + ENGAGING
TC: Welcome to the TC family! What shows or theatres have you recently been a part of?
SA: Although I am new to the TC community, I am excited to get the opportunity to work here. My directing credits range over 20+ years in NY and Boston. Over the past few years, I have directed locally at Fort Mill Community Playhouse: Snapshots, 25th Annual Spelling Bee, Next to Normal, First Date. Rock Hill Theater: A Catered Affair. Lancaster Community Theater: Bye, Bye Birdie. Matthews Playhouse: Shrek Jr. and a dinner theater experience, The Anniversary, which I wrote and directed.
TC: What about this show makes you excited to direct it?
SA: I am excited to be directing Little Shop of Horrors because it's a cult classic - a show with a passionate fanbase, unforgettable characters, and a wildly fun blend of dark comedy, campy and catchy music. Taking on such an iconic piece gives me the unique opportunity to honor its legacy while finding a fresh, creative way to make it our own.