Elizabeth City – College of The Albemarle (COA) is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 season for COA Student Theatre (COAST) Players. The fall production this year is “Seussical™,” licensed by Music Theatre International, with performance dates in November 2023. “The Little Mermaid” will be the spring production with performance dates in March 2024.
According to mtishows.com/seussical,
“Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.”
Auditions for “Seussical™” will take place on August 16 and 17, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Performing Arts Center, COA – Elizabeth City. Auditions are open to students, employees and the community. Those interested in auditioning are asked to register by completing an online form at https://forms.gle/v2kDXY2vveuPpkkP9.
Specific show dates and times will be available soon at www.albemarle.edu/pac. COA Performing Arts Center offers special field trip rates for schools. Schools can contact Mariah Schierer at [email protected] or 252.335.9050 for ticket information and scheduling.
“The 2023-2024 COAST season is going to be exciting,” shared Lisa Meads, COA Dean of Arts and Sciences. “We are pleased to welcome Mary Elysse Santa as the drama instructor/director this year. Mary Elysse joined COA on August 1st and has wonderful ideas and plans for the Associate in Fine Arts in Theatre program this year as well as COAST. We look forward to seeing area schools and our communities at the 2023-2024 productions.”
COAST Players
The COAST Players is a unique part of the Associate of Fine Arts in Theatre program. As part of the COAST Players, students can perform in and help produce major plays and musicals each year in the 1,000-seat auditorium while earning college credit for their work. It provides practical, hands-on training for all involved.
For information on the COA Associate in Fine Arts in Theatre program, contact Mary Elysse Santa at [email protected], or 252.335.0821 ext. 2206. For information related to theatre productions or tickets, contact Mariah Schierer, COA Performing Arts Center Manager, [email protected], or 252.335.9050.