Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship
Paige Johnston Thomas was a beloved member of Charlotte’s theatre community. As an actor, director, educator, and patron, she worked with and influenced so many of those creating live theatre in Charlotte. Paige's legacy and profound influence in the arts lives on through the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship.
Each season, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) will select one early-career theatre professional for the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship. This assistantship is intended for individuals who have had limited opportunities to direct a theatrical production. The recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship will serve as an assistant director on three unique CTC productions, each differing from one another in size, scope, style, theme, and tone. This four-month*, paid internship provides the individual with valuable professional directing experience at a nationally recognized theatre for young audiences.
The ideal candidate for the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship:
To see the impact the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship can have - and to see if you or someone you know may be strong candidate for the program - please watch this video of the inaugural recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship, Lakeetha Blakeney:
View Video
Each season, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (CTC) will select one early-career theatre professional for the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship. This assistantship is intended for individuals who have had limited opportunities to direct a theatrical production. The recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship will serve as an assistant director on three unique CTC productions, each differing from one another in size, scope, style, theme, and tone. This four-month*, paid internship provides the individual with valuable professional directing experience at a nationally recognized theatre for young audiences.
The ideal candidate for the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship:
- Is interested in developing a career as a director of theatrical productions.
- Has a foundational knowledge of theatre and its structures and processes.
- Has had limited professional opportunities as a director or theatre audience particularly due to one or more barriers to access. These barriers may relate to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, geography, transportation, or one or more of many bases for discrimination or exclusion.
Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship Recipients
2024 Recipient - Holly Nañes Holly Nañes is a multi-disciplinary Latinx artist from SW Texas. She has a MFA in Directing at Texas State University, and received her BA in theatre from Smith College. Holly has been working steadily in the theatre field for over fifteen years wearing the many hats in the profession onstage and off, creating new works and old. As a Director she gets the opportunity to create an environment of collaboration, tolerance, and inclusivity with the many theater makers in the field. She would like to thank Children's Theatre of Charlotte for choosing her as a recipient of the Page Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship. She is so excited to work with CTC! |
2025 Recipient - Brandon J Johns Brandon J Johns is an actor, musician, and musical director based in Charlotte, NC. He has been performing professionally since 2009 and received a BA in Music Performance from Virginia State University. Brandon has been involved with many shows at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte as a crew member, performer, and music director. Brandon is so excited to receive the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship and begin this new assistant director journey with so many talented artists. |
Past Recipients
2023 Recipient - Lakeetha Blakeney
To see the impact the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship can have - and to see if you or someone you know may be strong candidate for the program - please watch this video of the inaugural recipient of the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship, Lakeetha Blakeney:
View Video
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Paige Johnston ThomasThe Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship is funded by a generous donation from The Paige Johnston Thomas Giving Tree Foundation and from those touched by Paige’s thoughtfulness, artistry, and passion for theatre. By giving directly to this fund, your gift will allow us to continue to impact young artists by providing access and education.
Make a Gift
If you have any questions about the Paige Johnston Thomas Directing Assistantship, please contact Emily Chuma, Director of Development, 704-973-2801
