The Arts Educator Network serves educators within any arts discipline from Charlotte area schools and colleges, via digital and in-person professional development sessions. This collective of teachers and professors also have the opportunity to take advantage of networking at social events that may include pre-show workshops and discounted show tickets.
- Membership is free.
- Members must be active arts teachers or professors from Charlotte or the surrounding area schools or colleges.
- Members will receive event details and registration via email; events will have a designated capacity and registration will be limited to members only on a first-come, first-served basis.
- BPA Education manages membership and may terminate members that do not meet eligibility or criteria. Membership may also be revoked for holding event registration spots and not attending.
Network Events and Offers
FUNNY GIRL
Show Venue: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Event Venue: Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28202
Event Details: Wednesday, October 18th from 5:30-7:00pm (Show begins at 7:30pm)
Many of us know Fanny Brice (the main character in Funny Girl) as an innovative and successful comedic performer of her time, but we don’t know as much about her strong spirit and advocacy for change. She unapologetically broke through a male-dominated industry and paved the way for future generations of women to do the same. For this event, we are thrilled that Robin Tynes-Miler, Artistic Director at Three Bone Theatre, will present on feminism in theater. In particular, Robin will share about her experiences on founding a regional theater in Charlotte with a team of women, what they’ve learned along the way, and what takeaways educators can share with their own female-presenting students to empower them.
This event is now sold out!
THE WIZ
Show Venue: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Event Venue: Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28202
Event Details: Wednesday, November 8th from 5:30-7:00pm (Show begins at 7:30pm)
This event is now sold out!
We are thrilled to host Corey Mitchell, Tony Award winning educator and founder of the Theatre Gap Initiative, as our keynote speaker for this evening. He will discuss the cultural vitality of the black arts community in the 1960s/70s and highlight the significance that The Wiz played in this era. Additionally, Corey will talk through how this musical opened the door to important conversations in musical theater, and share recommendations for local arts educators to include and nurture these conversations in their arts classrooms and student productions.
COMPANY
Show Venue: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Event Venue: Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28202
Event Details: Tuesday, November 21st from 6:00-7:30pm (Show begins at 8:00pm)
A female-presenting actress played the role of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar in a local high school production - is that possible? It sure is! Just like in the recent revival of this tour with the title role of Bobby changed to Bobbie, Casey Starkey from CATA directed a musical this spring and gender bent casting for several roles within it. Not only was this performance magnificent, it also took all the right steps to seek the needed approvals to set it up for success for the start. Come hear Casey share more on what this process looked like and the impact it had on her school and local community. We hope you can join us!
BEETLEJUICE
Show Venue: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Event Venue: Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 N Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28202
Event Details: Thursday, December 28th from 5:30-7:00pm (Show begins at 7:30pm)
Winter break? Let’s celebrate….and mix it up a little bit! No need for an ugly Christmas sweater, we’ll be hosting a Haunted Halloween party to coincide with this show. Wear your favorite costume as we celebrate the world of the living and all our amazing arts educators in it. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar will be served to all our fabulous ghosts with the most!
Past Events
Take a look at our past highlights.
CHICAGO
As Roxie and Velma learn in the show, the media has the power to change lives tremendously. With news all around us from unreliable resources, how do we sift through to find the truth and make sure our students are equipped to do the same? Dr. Jimmeka Anderson, Founder of I AM not the MEdia and Black Girls Film Camp, will lead educators through tactics around media literacy and how they can best set students up for success to be informed, worldly young people.
SIX
School’s out for the summer! In honor of the queens visit to Charlotte, we are thrilled to host a Royal Summer Soiree to celebrate our amazing Arts Educator Network. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar, and live music will be provided. Bring your crowns as we countdown – 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 more minutes!
Aladdin
Our keynote speaker for this Aladdin pre-show event will be Monica Pettiford Chavis, Founder and CEO of Porch Productions. With its exceptional relevance to the casting seen in Aladdin, Monica will highlight her experiences in spreading diversity and inclusivity across Charlotte youth theater. Additionally, she’ll share relevant, tangible advice and recommendations for local arts educators to keep at top of mind in their classrooms and school productions. Casting is a whole new world nowadays, and it is important that it only becomes a stronger demonstration of representation and inclusivity. We hope to see you there!
A Soldier's Play
We are thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker for this event will be Jasmine “jaz” C. Hines, Principal Consultant at the Inspower Agency. This Pulitzer prize winning play dives into tough themes from the 1940s: racial inequality, whiteness, and social injustice. Unfortunately, many of these issues are still just as relevant today. Jaz will lead attendees through several specific examples of these injustices seen in history, some surprisingly in public policy, and share ways to enlighten and educate students on these important topics to work towards a brighter future.
Sponsor
Thank you to our generous sponsor who makes this program accessible to celebrate and support Charlotte area arts educators!
