Conservatory | Family & Student Handbook
Education Team
EG Engle, Director of Education
Mary Katherine Smith, Camps & Community Programs Manager
Morgan Southard, Education Program Manager
Karen Steele, Resident Teaching Artist
Breana Venablé, Resident Teaching Artist
Contact the Education Team
Meet our Teaching Artists
Mary Katherine Smith, Camps & Community Programs Manager
Morgan Southard, Education Program Manager
Karen Steele, Resident Teaching Artist
Breana Venablé, Resident Teaching Artist
Contact the Education Team
Meet our Teaching Artists
Program Overview
The CTC Conservatory is an audition-only company of students who are held to the highest standards. Its goal is to approach a student’s training holistically while in an intense, high-demand training environment. Regular attendance and a higher outside workload is expected.The Conservatory:
- Fosters and emphasizes the importance of ensemble and community.
- Provides opportunities to connect with each other, celebrate achievements together, and showcase creative work as a group.
- Works with more advanced texts and challenging material.
- Conservatory students have ideally completed at minimum one CTC Core class to prepare them for the expectations and skills needed for the training in this program. Core classes lay the groundwork necessary for students to continue their training in the CTC Conservatory Program.
Conservatory Offerings
An Actor Prepares (Teaching Artist: Shawnna Pledger)This company is specifically designed for students at the start of their Conservatory journey to introduce them to skills explored in higher level Conservatory classes. Students will challenge their creativity as they engage in a high-energy environment that places emphasis on ensemble work, script analysis, and group scene study. Advanced vocal and physical techniques for the actor are introduced, and students will deepen their understanding of how to integrate this work into practice and performance. Conservatory actors can take this class for one or more years until they are ready to advance to either Acting Company or Musical Theater Company at the discretion of the teaching artists and CTC Education Admin team. There is an expectation of additional work outside of class, including script reading and extensive memorization.
Acting Company (Teaching Artists: Julie Weir and Leslie Cossor)
Students dive into a rich tapestry of classic and modern texts, exploring character depth and advanced acting techniques. Classes are a studio environment that focuses on integrating mind, body, and voice, empowering actors to unleash their full creative potential on stage. There is an expectation of additional work outside of class, including script reading and extensive memorization.
Musical Theatre Company (Teaching Artists: Danielle Burke and Tammy Fox)
Students learn to seamlessly integrate their talents for show-stopping performances that blend artistry and skill. Musical Theatre Company actors develop advanced vocal, acting, and dance techniques under the guidance of experienced instructors and experience the best of both worlds: personalized attention for individual growth and collaborative group work for ensemble excellence. There is an expectation of additional work outside of class, including script reading and extensive memorization.
Pre-Professional Company (Teaching Artists: Chester Shepherd and Morgan Southard)
Our most advanced students will explore various theatre methodologies deepening their craft of acting. This class also offers an integrated approach to entering the industry. There is an expectation of additional work outside of class, including script reading + analysis + extensive memorization.
Mid-Session Drop-Ins & Final Sharing
- Mid-session Drop-in (Dec 12, 2024) provides an opportunity for families to observe the class as a “fly-on-the-wall.” Video and photography are discouraged at this time. Please wait until the Showcase.
- The session ends with a Final Sharing (Mar 13, 2025) for families and friends. Demonstrations of exercises and activities facilitated by both students and the Teaching Artists surround selections of monologues, scenes and songs.
- A full schedule of important dates is listed below.
Communication With Families
We are committed to providing you with all the information needed to be prepared and have a wonderful class experience.- One month prior to the start of class you will receive a reminder email with brief information about your class and a reminder about our cancellation policy. This reminder is sent to the email address you used at registration.
- One week prior to the start of class you will receive an email with important information about class and a link to join your Google Classroom. If you do not receive this email, please contact us at education@ctcharlotte.org.
- Google Classroom:
- We are excited that we will be using Google Classroom to communicate with you and your student this year! You will receive a separate invitation a week prior to class.
- Please Note: We understand that not everyone may have a Gmail address. You do not have to have a Gmail address to use Google Classroom, but you do need a Google account. A Gmail address and a Google account are two different things. If you have a non-Gmail address, you can either create a new Gmail address to use for this purpose only, or you can link your current email address to a Google account. Please find more information HERE.
- Please reach out to education@ctcharlotte.org if you have any questions or issues joining.
- Following each weekly class, you will receive a message via Google Classroom from your Teaching Artist about class content and activities. Feel free to ask any questions via public comment, private, or email. Your teacher will reply and copy CTC Education Admin.
- We are excited that we will be using Google Classroom to communicate with you and your student this year! You will receive a separate invitation a week prior to class.
- At the mid-point and end of the session, you will receive a written evaluation about your student's growth, as well as recommendations for future classes. Please note, evaluations will be sent via individual email, NOT Google Classroom.
What to bring and wear
- Reusable water bottle with your name
- Conservatory students must wear “actor blacks” - all black clothes that you can move freely in.
- Please wear shoes appropriate for movement/dancing (sneakers, dance shoes, or closed-toed shoes). No sandals, flip flops, or crocs please.
- Please contact the education@ctcharlotte.org if you have any questions or needs concerning rehearsal attire.
Parking, Drop Off, & Pick Up
ParkingLimited parking is available underneath the building for parents for up to 90 minutes. After 90 minutes, cars in the garage will be at risk of ticketing from Preferred Parking.
7th Street Garage is available for parking after 5:01 PM Mon-Fri, and all day on the weekends. Bring your 7th Street Garage ticket to the Class Assistant or the Box Office for validating. We are unable to validate any other parking on the street, garages, or surface lots besides 7th Street Garage. Any tickets acquired while parking during your class will be your responsibility, as Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is not responsible for any parking violations incurred during class time.
Drop Off
- The front of ImaginOn on 7th Street is available for Drop-off. After entering ImaginOn, students should walk up the ramp and check in the Class Assistant in Tech Central.
- Students must check-in with Class Assistant at a table just outside of our Studio classrooms when they arrive. The Class Assistant will take their attendance.
- Please encourage your student to visit the restroom before class.
- While students are in class, parents are welcome to wait in the public spaces of ImaginOn, except for the Teen Loft.
- Inclement weather alerts will be sent out on EZ text alert, and posted on our website. CTC Education staff will also call your preferred number.
- Self Release Authorization Form HERE
- This form must be completed for:
- Students in grades 4th - 12th being dropped off OR picked up anywhere other than the classroom door (i.e. ImaginOn lobby, 7th street, etc.)
- Student Drivers
- Those riding with Student Drivers
- The front of ImaginOn on 7th Street is available for Drop-off and Pick-up.
- Pick- Up: If you are picking your child up in front of Imaginon, we ask that students wait inside the building near the security office until they see your vehicle for Pick-up. No student, regardless of age, is allowed to wait outside to be picked up after dark.
- All SOTT students must be picked up by an adult at the classroom door, unless they have completed the Self-Release Authorization form above. Self-Release students will be released directly from their classroom, and will no longer be supervised by CTC staff.
- At the end of class, the teaching artist will open the classroom. Self-Release students may walk to meet their parent at the pick-up location, and all other students will meet their parent outside of the classroom door.
- Student drivers must complete the Self-Release form HERE (including submitting the make/model/and color of their car and the license plate number in the form).
- Student drivers can park in the parking deck under ImaginOn for free, accessible from 6th Street.
Policies and Other Information
Click on a heading to learn more...Inclusive Classrooms
All classes at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte are inclusive. Open communication with families helps us create a successful environment for every student. The Education Staff will note any allergies, chronic illness or medical conditions that were listed on your registration form. This information is only shared with Education Staff as necessary.
Contact the Education Department if you want to discuss your student’s needs further or have any tips or strategies to help them be successful.
Contact the Education Department if you want to discuss your student’s needs further or have any tips or strategies to help them be successful.
Absence Policy
Theatre is a team sport, so we encourage the whole team to be present and ready to work for every class! If your student will be absent for any reason, notify your Teaching Artist as well as education@ctcharlotte.org in advance. If it is a last-minute emergency or occurs during class time, call the Class Assistant at 704-236-6638 as soon as you are able.
Because each class builds on activities from earlier classes, absences may affect a student’s participation in the program. There are no refunds or make-up sessions for missed classes.
We also encourage students to take part in productions at their school or in their community. But students who have excessive absences may not be recommended to advance to the next class or may have limited participation in the final Showcase. Additionally, it may affect their eligibility for OnStage.
Because each class builds on activities from earlier classes, absences may affect a student’s participation in the program. There are no refunds or make-up sessions for missed classes.
We also encourage students to take part in productions at their school or in their community. But students who have excessive absences may not be recommended to advance to the next class or may have limited participation in the final Showcase. Additionally, it may affect their eligibility for OnStage.
Discipline Policy
Our goal is that every student will have a wonderful experience in class, and we encourage positive reinforcement and conflict management and resolution. In the case that we encounter behavior that negatively impacts the class environment, the following incremental course of action will be taken:
- Teaching Artist will talk with the student individually.
- Student is asked to step away from the activitivy until the Teaching Artist invites the student to return.
- Teaching Artist will speak with the parent/guardian after class and/or send an email.
- If the behavior continues, Education Administration contacts the parent/guardian and further action is determined. Grounds for immediate suspension or removal include but are not limited to causing physical harm, putting him/herself or others in danger, and harmful behaviors towards staff.
Inclement Weather & Building Closings
If the ImaginOn building is closed due to severe weather or some other emergency, Children’s Theatre will not hold classes. We will send out a text alert through EZ Text. Please make sure your account has your current cell number listed as the preferred number. Text alerts will be sent to the preferred number. You may also check the ctcharlotte.org homepage for updated information.
If a class is canceled due to inclement weather, building closure, or other unforeseen circumstance, we cannot guarantee make-up days will be scheduled. There will be no pro-rated refund for canceled classes due to inclement weather, building closures, or any other unforeseen circumstance.
If a class is canceled due to inclement weather, building closure, or other unforeseen circumstance, we cannot guarantee make-up days will be scheduled. There will be no pro-rated refund for canceled classes due to inclement weather, building closures, or any other unforeseen circumstance.
Illness & Personal Emergencies
Please do not bring students to class if they are showing any of the symptoms listed below. Symptoms include:
- Fever - Defined as having a temperature of 100.5°F or higher.
- Vomiting - Please do not bring your student to class if they have vomited within the previous 12 hours.
- Rash or Spots - Defined as frequent scratching of the body or scalp, lice, rash, or any other spots that resemble childhood diseases, including ringworm.
Medication
We generally do not administer drugs of any type. This includes over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, Advil, etc. Our basic policy is that all medication must be self-administered by the student, although we evaluate each special case individually. If the medicine must be administered by a parent/guardian, we are happy to make any arrangements. Please enter any important allergies, chronic illness, or medical conditions during the registration process. If you have already registered and would like to add this information, please contact our Education Department.
Video & Photography
Both are allowed for the final Sharing. Recordings are for at home, personal use only. Please don’t post these on social media. We ask you to avoid flash photography of any kind. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte does not produce or sell media/recordings. Photographs of students taken in class by Education Staff may be used in promotional materials.
Refund & Transfer Policy
Refunds: A full refund for Creative Drama classes may be requested prior to these deadlines:
Refund / Transfer Request
- 1 month before the first day of class = 100% refund
- 2 weeks before the first day of class = 50% refund
- 1 week before the first day of class = 25% refund
- No refunds from the day programming begins.
Refund / Transfer Request
Mainstage Auditions
Students currently enrolled in Conservatory classes have the opportunity for a “first-look” audition for our 2025-26 professional Mainstage season. Auditions occur in May 2025. Click HERE to learn more.NCTC College Discovery Day
The North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) will host College Discovery Day on November 23, 2024, at Greensboro College. Meet theatre faculty and current majors from around the state to get the “inside scoop” on programs. Audition opportunities and workshops are also available for students and parents. Attending the event is not a class requirement but is highly encouraged for students in 10th-12th grade. Click HERE to learn more and register online.SOTT Important 2024-25 Dates
Classes take place as scheduled on holidays and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School workdays unless noted. Classes meet once a week for ten weeks, except for Side-By-Side classes which meet for five weeks.| By Sept 23 | Parent sent Welcome Email for Fall Session |
| Sept 26 - Oct 2 | First day of classes for Fall Session |
| Oct 31 | No SOTT classes | Halloween |
| Nov 9 | No SOTT classes | Epic Fest at ImaginOn |
| Nov 25-30 | No SOTT classes | Thanksgiving week |
| Dec 9-14 | Mid-Session for 20-week | Final Sharing for Fall 10-week |
| Jan 6-11 | First day of classes for Winter Session |
| Jan 20 | No SOTT classes | MLK Day |
| Feb 19 at 7 PM | OnStage Interest Meeting |
| Mar 11-17 | Final Sharing for 20-week | Final Sharing for Winter 10- week |
| Mar 23-24 | OnStage Auditions |
| Mar 30 | OnStage Callbacks |
| April 1 | OnStage Parent Meeting & Orientation |
| April 7 - May 15 | OnStage Rehearsals (OFF April 14-18 Spring Break) |
| April 26 | Auditions, SOTT Conservatory for 2025-26 |
| May 16-18 | OnStage 2025 Performances |
Have Any Questions?
Box OfficeEmail | 704-973-2828 (noon-5 PM, M-F)
Education Team
education@ctcharlotte.org | 704-973-2837
Class Assistant
Email | 704-973-2812
ImaginOn | 704-416-4600
Library branch hours may differ from education class hours. Please click here for more information.
Tax Information
Our Tax ID number is 56-1028031.
Thank you for participating in the education programs at Children's Theatre of Charlotte!
