CCU Theatre
Summer Success Stories 2026
Lila Brighton | BFA Musical Theare '29
Lila performed as Agnes Nolan in George M! The Musical at the Croswell Opera House. The summer experience gave Lila the opportunity to perform at Michigan’s oldest theatre and become part of its rich theatrical history.
Martha Glenn Bowers | BFA Musical Theare '29
Martha Glenn performed as Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice: A Musical Comedy, adapted by Tara Raczenski with music by Chris Tilley. Created by North Carolina artists, this fresh adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel is being workshopped throughout the East Coast.
Katiclaire Dobbins | BFA Musical Theare '29
Katiclaire performed in Blackfriars Theatre’s production of Urinetown through its summer intensive program for college students. The experience offered an opportunity to develop her craft while working in a professional production environment.
Rachel Prongay | BFA Musical Theare '28
North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse
Rachel Prongay joined the rotating repertory productions of Hairspray as Tammy and understudy for Penny, and Footloose as an ensemble member and understudy for Rusty. Rachel also performed in the organization’s 40th-anniversary gala and co-choreographed its Broadway Bound summer camp.
Coastal Carolina University Department of Theatre
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To schedule an audition for the BFA Program at Coastal Carolina University, please see our requirements here:
http://www.coastal.edu/theatre/html/auditions.html
CCU THEATRE Summer Success Stories 2026!
Interlochen Center For the Arts, Interlochen Michigan
Adam Pelty | Professor of Musical Theatre and Dance
Adam Pelty returns to Interlochen to direct and choreograph the High School Musical Theatre Showcase as well as the advanced High School Musical Theatre Audition Intensive.
Leah Gliddon | BFA Acting '28
Acting major Leah Gliddon earned a summer internship as associate choreographer, gaining hands-on experience while collaborating with young artists and theatre professionals.
Tyne Turner | Assistant Professor of Voice and Acting
Tyne Turner returns once again as a voice and speech specialist for West Side Story, Pippin, and Romeo and Juliet, while also teaching acting and vocal production throughout the summer.
AND OUR FINAL SPRING MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION WILL BE...
STORIES THAT SOAR!
Written in collaboration with elementary school students in the Horry County School District and produced in collaboration with Literacy Connects and the CCU Department of English
Coordinated by Steven James Higginbotham and Joshua Cross
Logo Designed and Painted by Hand by Josh Knight
Literacy Connects’ STORIES THAT SOAR! combines literacy and the arts to strengthen school and district communities and empowers young students to amplify their voices. Inspired by the story-eating Magic Box, elementary school authors seize the opportunity to feed it original stories in any genre and any language. STORIES THAT SOAR! brings those stories to life on stage when university students collaborate to conceptualize, script, and rehearse a dynamic, one-of-a-kind performance. This student-driven project aligns with National Core Arts Standards and inspires students, teachers, and audiences by putting student words and creative ideas center stage. This project is a special partnership with Literacy Connects of Tucson, Arizona, to continue a national campaign to bring STORIES THAT SOAR! to schools, colleges, universities, and communities throughout the country. With generous support from the Edwards Research Center, Coastal Carolina University’s Departments of Theatre and English are proud to partner in this initiative through research, development, and creative contributions.
Performance Dates and Times in the Edwards Black Box Theater:
Saturday, April 17th, 2:00pm
Saturday, April 17th, 7:00pm
Sunday, April 18th, 2:00pm
ALL TICKETS ARE ONLY $5.00 and are on sale now at WWW.CCUTIX.COM!
🎭 CCU Theatre's 2026-2027 Season: A Season of Bold Dreams 🎭
🌟 Dream Bigger. Laugh Louder. Experience Wonder. 🌟
🎭 CCU THEATRE SUMMER SUCCESS STORIES 2026 🎭
Daniel Hobbs | Scenic Designer
The Ohio Light Opera
Assistant Professor Daniel Hobbs spent the summer in residence at The Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio, celebrating his tenth year with the company and designing sets for MY FAIR LADY, THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, and THE MERRY WIDOW.
Kepley Mulligan ('29) | Stage Manager
The Ohio Light Opera
BFA Design and Production student Kepley Mulligan served as Stage Manager for THE RED MILL, gaining valuable professional experience while working alongside artists and technicians from across the country.
Sadie DeSantis | Stage Manager
The Ohio Light Opera
Assistant Professor Sadie DeSantis joined the company as Stage Manager for DAMN YANKEES and THE MERRY WIDOW, contributing to two major productions as part of this nationally recognized summer repertory company.
🌟 Congratulations, Daniel, Kepley, and Sadie! 🌟
08/12/2026
🎭 We are thrilled to welcome HUNTER FOSTER to Coastal Carolina University as the director of our spring mainstage production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE!
An accomplished director, writer, and celebrated Broadway performer, Hunter Foster has built an extraordinary career both on and off the stage. As a director, his work has been seen at some of the nation's most respected theaters, including Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, and others. He adapted, co-wrote, and originally directed CLUE: ON STAGE, which has become one of the most-produced plays in the United States. In 2018, he directed THE OTHER JOSH COHEN off-Broadway at New York City's West Side Theatre and was honored by The Wall Street Journal as "Director of the Year" for his acclaimed productions of 42ND STREET at Bucks County Playhouse and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Goodspeed Opera House.
As an actor, Hunter's Broadway credits include THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, HANDS ON A HARDBODY, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Tony Award nomination), URINETOWN, FOOTLOOSE, and LES MISÉRABLES, among others. His remarkable career and wealth of professional experience will provide an incredible opportunity for CCU Theatre students as they prepare and present this joyful musical comedy.
We are also proud to announce that Hunter Foster will serve as Coastal Carolina University's Billy F. Cave Visiting Artist for the 2026-2027 academic year. The Billy F. Cave Visiting Artist Series Endowed Program was created and funded in kind by Nancy Cave in memory of her late husband. As long-time musical theatre enthusiasts, the couple always sought to support the arts in their community, and this special endowed program honors initiatives to give students the opportunity to study, observe, and work with visiting artists-in-residence prominent in today’s musical theatre. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Cave family for their generous support and sincere kindness.
OUR SPRING MAINSTAGE MUSICAL WILL BE...
THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original play by The Farm
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Edwards Black Box Theater
Directed by Hunter Foster
Choreographed by Alison Levenberg
Music Direction by Alex Lefevre
Logo Designed and Painted by Hand by Josh Knight
THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is a witty, heartwarming musical comedy featuring a vibrant score by William Finn and a clever book by Rachel Sheinkin. Six delightfully quirky middle schoolers compete for the ultimate spelling title, sharing hilariously awkward and unexpectedly tender glimpses into their lives along the way. As they tackle increasingly absurd words and try to avoid the dreaded “ding,” the stakes feel both comically high and deeply personal. With audience participation and nonstop charm, this fast-paced crowd favorite is a joyful celebration of growing up, fitting in, and embracing what makes us wonderfully unique.
Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, April 2nd, at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 3rd, at 2:00pm
Saturday, April 3rd, at 7:30pm
Sunday, April 4th, at 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted
Thursday, April 8th, at 7:30pm
Friday, April 9th, at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 10th, at 2:00pm
Saturday, April 10th, at 7:30pm
Sunday, April 11th, at 2:00pm
Tickets on sale soon at WWW.CCUTIX.COM!
🎭 CCU Theatre's 2026-2027 Season: A Season of Bold Dreams 🎭
🌟 Dream Bigger. Laugh Louder. Experience Wonder. 🌟
OUR SPRING MAINSTAGE PLAY WILL BE...
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
Created by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields of Mischief Theatre Company
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Wheelwright Auditorium
Directed by Matthew Schneck
Fight Direction by Thom Penn
Logo Designed and Painted by Hand by Josh Knight
In this fast-paced, riotously funny farce, the Cornley University Drama Society attempts to stage a classic 1920s murder mystery—only to watch the production unravel at every possible turn. From collapsing sets and forgotten lines to a co**se that refuses to stay put, the show spirals into perfectly choreographed chaos. As the determined (and disastrously unlucky) cast fights to reach opening night’s final curtain, the result is nonstop physical comedy and theatrical mayhem. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a gleeful, high-energy romp that delights in disaster and guarantees an evening of laughter from start to finish.
Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, February 12th, at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 13th, at 2:00pm
Saturday, February 13th, at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 14th, at 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted
Thursday, February 18th, at 7:30pm
Friday, February 19th, at 7:30pm
Saturday, February 20th, at 2:00pm
Saturday, February 20th, at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 21st, at 2:00pm
Tickets on sale soon at WWW.CCUTIX.COM!
🎭 CCU Theatre's 2026-2027 Season: A Season of Bold Dreams 🎭
🌟 Dream Bigger. Laugh Louder. Experience Wonder. 🌟
📰 STOP THE PRESSES! 🎭
We’ve got some BIG NEWS from the Big Apple!
Our very own Teryn Cuozzo (BFA MT ’24) is making her Broadway debut in the musical CHICAGO tonight! 🌟 If you're in NYC, snag a ticket to see her shine onstage at the Ambassador Theatre!
From our Theatre Department at Coastal to the bright lights of Broadway, we couldn’t be prouder to see you take the stage in one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals, Teryn! You’ve got the razzle-dazzle, the talent, and the heart—and now, the Broadway stage is yours!
✨ BRAVO and BREAK LEGS! ✨
OUR FALL MAINSTAGE PLAY WILL BE...
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
A play by Rick Elice
Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Music by Wayne Barker
Originally produced on Broadway by Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Greg Schaffert,
Eva Price, Tom Smedes, and Disney Theatrical Productions.
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Edwards Black Box Theater
Directed by Ben Sota
Music Direction by Dr. Michelle Pedersen
Logo Designed and Painted by Hand by Josh Knight
Set sail on a whirlwind adventure with PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, the magical Tony-winning reimagining of Peter Pan and the origin story of the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. Packed with pirates, peril, and a trunk full of celestial “starstuff,” this wildly imaginative play transforms a dozen actors into more than 100 unforgettable characters. When an orphaned boy meets Molly, a bold young Starcatcher-in-training, their world launches into a hilarious and heart-pounding race against the fearsome Black Stache. Brimming with puppets, song, and the kind of storytelling that reminds us why we love theatre, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER promises an unforgettable journey of friendship, courage, and wonder as CCU brings this high-flying adventure to life, showing how the magic starts long before Neverland.
Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, November 6th, at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 8th, at 2:00pm – ASL Interpreted
Sunday, November 8th, at 7:30pm
Wednesday, November 11th, at 7:30pm
Thursday, November 12th, at 7:30pm
Friday, November 13th, at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 15th, at 2:00pm
Tickets on sale soon at WWW.CCUTIX.COM!
🎭 CCU Theatre's 2026-2027 Season: A Season of Bold Dreams 🎭
🌟 Dream Bigger. Laugh Louder. Experience Wonder. 🌟
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