Interview with Stuart Spencer, director for A Christmas Carol
TC: Pitch this show to a first-time theatre patron in one sentence
SS: A timeless classic and a TC holiday tradition.. 20 years strong!
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
SS: I have been working (and playing) at Theatre Charlotte since 2004. In recent years, I have transitioned to working behind the scenes, most recently directing Violet and Picasso at the Lapine Agile.
TC: What made you say yes to directing this show?
SS: I have a very long history with this show that goes all the way back to season 2. After working backstage, stage managing, and acting in multiple seasons, I am excited to take my 3rd seat in the director’s chair for the historic 20th annual production!
TC: Without giving anything away, what's one moment you can't wait for audiences to experience?
SS: Every year brings a new challenge of bringing something different to the classic telling. This year, I look forward to audiences experiencing a fresh staging, with plenty of surprises that pay homage to the past 20 years of this Charlotte holiday tradition.
TC: What do you think will surprise audiences most?
SS: The flying monkeys and cutting edge pyrotechnics. Whoops, nope, wrong show, don’t use this :)
TC: Why do you think this is the right story for audiences today?
SS: A Christmas Carol reminds us that kindness, compassion, and human connection are choices we can make every day. Scrooge’s journey reminds us that it’s never too late to change, to forgive, or to invest in the people around us. I think we all still need that reminder.
TC: Other than this one, what show are you most looking forward to in Season 99?
SS: I hate to pick one and they will be awesome.. but I think Terminus will surprise some people!