The Center Players

09/18/2026

We wanted to give a quick thank you and shout-out to Center Player mom and volunteer Crystal Eure for decorating the AOA/Center Players bra! We can’t wait to show it off at the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce Bra-ha-ha event.

09/17/2026

Center Players and School of the Arts is growing, and we could use a little help from our amazing community!

We are currently looking for a few items to help make our classrooms more organized, accessible, and welcoming for our students:

Gently used dance shoes in children’s and adult sizes
Cubby-style shelving for student belongings and classroom supplies
Sturdy step stools to help our littlest artists safely reach sinks, supplies, and other classroom spaces

Before you donate, toss, or pass along something you no longer need, we would love for you to think of SOA and The Center Players!

As a nonprofit arts program, donations like these help us stretch our resources further and continue creating spaces where children in our community can learn, create, and grow.
If you have something you think we could use, please email [email protected] or drop it off during gallery hours. Thank you for supporting arts education in our community!

09/03/2026

AUDITIONS: THE NUTCRACKER 2026!

Ballet for Young Audiences is bringing "The Nutcracker" to Elizabeth City, and we’re looking for 10 young dancers ages 6–11 to perform alongside a touring group of professional ballerinas this December!

Dancers do not need to be current AOA students — we welcome young dancers from studios and programs throughout our community!

Sign up for an audition slot and find all audition details, preparation information, and participation requirements here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pfk_Db1UFIFYddg6m-_y-4tx3PNRBBDo/view?usp=sharing

We can’t wait to see you at auditions!

09/02/2026

Did you know that the School of the Arts at Arts of the Albemarle (SOA) offers tuition assistance for all of our after school arts classes?

We're currently offering instruction in dance, theatre, music, visual art, and more—all at one affordable price for the full 12-week semester! Find the full class offerings at: https://www.artsaoa.org/soaregistration

Income-based tuition assistance is available now. We believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the arts, and we’re here to help make that possible. Email [email protected] to apply.

08/02/2026

Get Back in the Groove 💃🕺
Dance Workshops with Ms. Marielle (Ages 9–18)

Shake off the summer and jump back into dance with us at AOA! Whether you’re brand new or have been dancing for years, these workshops are the perfect way to get moving and ready for fall.

📅 Dates:
August 5th
August 12th

⏰ Times:
4:00–5:00 PM — Beginners to Advanced (great for anyone wanting to try dance!)
5:00–6:00 PM — Intermediate to Advanced

✨ Who should come?
• Anyone interested in trying dance this fall at AOA
• Anyone Auditioning for W***y Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Jr
• Current dancers in weekly classes at any studio (join us for 4-5pm or 5–6 pm!)
• Students who performed in 101 Dalmatians or Alice in Wonderland (join us for 4-5pm or 5–6 pm!)

Come build skills, boost confidence, and have FUN in a supportive, high-energy environment. We can’t wait to dance with you!

Register here:

Get Back in the Groove 💃🕺 Dance Workshops with Ms. Marielle (Ages 9–18) Shake off the summer and jump back into dance with us at AOA! Whether you’re brand new or have been dancing for years, these workshops are the perfect way to get moving and ready for fall. 📅 Dates: September 5th Sep...

07/23/2026

🌟 Build Confidence. Own the Stage. 🌟

Confidence is a skill—and we're here to help students develop it! These fun, supportive workshops focus entirely on stage confidence, helping performers improve stage presence, body language, eye contact, mindset, and more!

✨ Girls (ages 13–18): July 29 & August 5 | 3:30–4:30 PM
✨ Boys (ages 12–18): July 28 & August 4 | 3:30–4:30 PM
✨ Girls & Boys (ages 7–12): July 30 & August 6 | 3:30–4:30 PM

Perfect for singers, dancers, actors, and anyone who wants to feel more confident performing.

Register today: https://www.artsaoa.org/thecenterplayers

07/22/2026

It's hard to believe auditions for the next musical are here already! Who will be joining us for "W***y Wonka Jr." this fall?

Reserve your spot to audition between August 18-20th! Everything you need to know can be found at: https://www.artsaoa.org/thecenterplayers

Want extra help preparing for auditions? Come workshop your audition material in sessions with a rotating lineup of instructors. Registration can be found at the link above. Dates are as follows:

• 3rd-5th grade workshops on July 29 and August 5 & 12 from 4:30-6 PM
•6th-12th grade workshops on July 28 and August 4 & 11 from 4:30-6 PM

07/19/2026

We’re looking for large, clear storage bins/totes for The Center Players! If you happen to have any gently used ones at home that you’re no longer using, we would love to give them a second life!

If you’d prefer to purchase and donate, we’ve had great success with the Sterilite 48 qt storage bins with hinge lids purchased at Walmart or Amazon.

Thank you all for always supporting us so generously! ♥️

06/14/2026

🎭 LAST CALL: Center Player Bootcamp Starts Next Week! 🎭

Calling all young actors, singers, and performers! Our popular Center Player Bootcamps are almost here and there’s still time to join us for a week of theatre, creativity, confidence-building, and fun! ✨

Students will dive into acting skills, character development, movement, teamwork, and performance techniques while building friendships and preparing for the stage!

🌟 Center Player Bootcamp (Ages 7–11)
📅 June 15th–20th 9am-12pm
Register here: https://www.artsaoa.org/summercamps/p/cpkcamp1

🌟 Center Player Bootcamp (Ages 11–18)
📅 June 15th–20th 1pm-4pm
Register here: https://www.artsaoa.org/summercamps/p/cpcamp1

Don’t miss your chance to be part of Center Players this summer! 🎶🎬

05/27/2026

Check out these amazing camps being taught by Center Player Alumni, Kelley Stancil! In addition to the Center Players Boot Camps being offered this summer by School of the Arts at Arts of the Albemarle, Kelley's Center Stage Solo Camp and Bound for Broadway are sure to be favorites for our Center Players!

Thinking you'd like to audition for our upcoming fall show? Be sure to check out Kelley's camps, as well as our Center Player Boot Camps. They can prepare you to get audition ready, or help brush up on your current skills. See you this Summer!

Center Stage Solo Camp (ages 11-18) June 22-26 • 9–12 PM https://www.artsaoa.org/summercamps/p/solo
Bound For Broadway (ages 11-18) June 22-26 • 1-4 PM
https://www.artsaoa.org/summercamps/p/boundbb2