Willingham Performing Arts Academy

09/03/2026

The cast and crew of "Daddy LongLegs" are absolutely crushing it! 📚🖋✉

"Why does it feel like we're flying?" That's the magic of tech week! The snowball is rolling down the hill and gaining speed as our actors rehearse each night and our tech crew works each day to bring this incredible show to life! Everyone's hard work will certainly pay off next weekend at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center!

Check out these rehearsal photos (including a sneak peak of our set) then grab your tickets today at www.yadkinarts.org/events-tickets

Daddy LongLegs
September 11-12 @ 7:30pm
September 13 @ 3pm
At the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center
(226 E Main St. Yadkinville, NC 27055)

08/26/2026

🎩 Scrooge! The Musical Auditions 🎩

We're one month away from Scrooge! auditions at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center! Our holiday shows are the perfect opportunity for parents and kiddos to perform together, so bring the whole family and get ready to have some fun! This show will feature a youth ensemble and supporting / lead roles for kids ages 5+.

Audition packet, registration form, and more info will be made available soon, so stay tuned!

SCROOGE! THE MUSICAL AUDITIONS:
Friday, September 25th @ 6pm
Saturday, September 26th @ 10am
Location: Yadkin Cultural Arts Center (221 E Main St Yadkinville, NC 27055)
Show Dates: 12/10-12/13

08/24/2026

🎭Group Classes Begin Today!🎭

We are thrilled to jump into the 2026 fall semester with our first group class offering, "Actors, Advance!" (8th-12th) at 4:30pm today at WPAA! "Songs & Scenes" (5th-8th) begins Wednesday at 4:30pm, "Shake It Up" (K-5th) on Thursday at 4:45pm, and "Adult Acting / Improv Night" on Thursday at 7pm. We've got a lot going on this semester at WPAA so come be a part of the fun!

You can find more info about our group classes and special events in our fall class packet linked below:

WPAA 2026 FALL SEMESTER GROUP CLASSES & EVENTS PACKET Your go-to-guide for group classes, auditions, special events, and more! What is WPAA? Founded in 2018, the Willingham Performing Arts Academy is a performing arts training center for both youth and adults, operating in partnership with...

08/21/2026

✨The Bright Star cast list is here!✨

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition this past weekend, and congrats to those who accepted roles in the show! We've had a stellar first week of music rehearsal (check out the video, they already sound incredible) and we can't wait to bring this show to the Willingham Theater stage at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center in October!

TICKETS: www.yadkinarts.org/events-tickets

BRIGHT STAR CAST LIST:

Kaitlyne Colbert Story - Alice Murphy
Elijah Golden - Jimmy Ray Dobbs
Mads Peek - Billy Cane
Scott Icenhower - Daddy Cane
Ally Shelton - Margo Crawford
Dylan Longworth - Max
Averie Chiesa - Florence
McEwen Thornton - Edna
Zach Jones - Daryl Ames
Rachel Squier - Lucy Grant
Mary Mendenhall - Mama Murphy
Robert Evans - Daddy Murphy
David Nielsen - Mayor Dobbs
David Rolland - Stanford
Clarence Powell - Dr. Norquist
Jody Cheek - Government Clerk
Sarah Morrison - Well Dressed Woman
Bella Rolland - Ensemble
Stephanie Smith - Ensemble
Jaynie Gifford - Ensemble
Marlie Myers - Ensemble
Riley Shepherd - Ensemble
Sofia Coston - Ensemble
A.J. Hinshaw - Ensemble
Athena Danforth - Ensemble
Stacey Moran - Ensemble
D’Mya Durant - Ensemble
Rachel Brown - Ensemble
Syraphina Kirby - Ensemble

08/20/2026

📸 A HUGE shout-out to Bryan Rierson Photography for these incredible production photos of "Something Rotten!" 📸

While the magic of our summer show may be over, the memories will last forever! Did you see "Something Rotten!" at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center? Did it inspire you to be in a show? Auditions for "Scrooge" the musical are September 25th and 26th! Stay tuned to our social media pages for audition info later this month, or visit our website: www.yadkinarts.org for more info regarding upcoming shows and auditions!

08/19/2026

🎭 Adult Acting and Improv Night(s) are coming to WPAA! 🎭

Adults: want to kick back and have some fun with other adults in a stress-free, low-pressure environment? want to dip your toe into the world of theater? or strengthen your skills if you're already involved in your local theater scene?

Then join us for Improv Night(s) and weekly Adult Acting Exploration classes this fall at WPAA! You can follow the links on our website page for more info & to register:

https://www.yadkinarts.org/willingham-performing-arts-academy/

08/18/2026

✉ "A picture is worth a thousand words" ✉ but Jerusha Abbott was never shown a picture of her mysterious benefactor. She only saw his long shadow on the wall "looking like a daddy longlegs" and nicknamed him as such. What happens when she finally lays eyes on the actual Jervis Pendleton? And what becomes of her relationship with her mysterious benefactor, "Mr. Hitching Post, Clothes Pole, Daddy LongLegs, Smith?"

Hurry to yadkinarts.org/events-tickets to get your tickets, then join us at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center September 11th through 13th for this timeless, love-letter musical.

DADDY LONGLEGS
September 11-12 @ 7:30pm
September 13 @ 3pm
Yadkin Cultural Arts Center
(226 E Main St. Yadkinville, NC 27055)
Email: [email protected]

📸Photos By: Charlie Kluttz

08/15/2026

✨Bright Star Auditions Day 2!✨ Join us this morning at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center for the 2nd and final day of Bright Star auditions! In-person auditions start at 10am, but we’ll be accepting video submissions until 12:30pm 🎥 email video auditions to: [email protected]

Join us at the Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center August 14th at 6pm or August 15th at 10am to audition for this beloved, bluegrass musical, set in the blue ridge mountains of North Carolina! We are thrilled to have Heather Levinson directing and Charlie Kluttz music directing! WHAT TO PREPARE:...

08/14/2026

✨Bright Star Auditions Start Tonight!✨

Have you perused our audition packet yet? For each show we produce, we make a new audition packet featuring: character descriptions, vocal ranges, audition procedures, a skeletal calendar, our rules & regulations, and more!

Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the stage, or looking to dip your toes into the waters of musical theatre, we would love to see you at auditions tonight or tomorrow!

BRIGHT STAR AUDITIONS:
Friday, 8/14 @ 6pm
Saturday, 8/15 @ 10am
Location: Yadkin Arts Council and Cultural Center (226 E Main St. Yadkinville, NC 27055)

AUDITION PAKCET LINK:

The Yadkin Arts Council’s Fall 2026 Musical: AUDITIONS Friday, August 14th @ 6pm (auditions last from 6pm - 8:30pm) or Saturday, August 15th @ 10am (auditions last from 10am - 12pm) *** CALL BACKS WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, August 15th FROM 12:30-1:30pm *** AUDITION & CALL BACK LOCATION: Yad...

08/13/2026

🎭"Adult Acting Exploration", 🎶"Songs and Scenes", and 💃"Shake It Up!" are 3 stellar group classes coming to WPAA this fall!

You can visit our website for more info:
https://www.yadkinarts.org/willingham-performing-arts-academy/

or read the descriptions below! Already know what you want to sign-up for? You can follow this link to register for classes:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKnd_UjQvBmVDuWT6Da8eFBypL0xmks9ja6YNjBZy_WeeZ-Q/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108685136257649407103

In need of financial assistance to cover class fees? We've got you covered! Just indicate so on your registration form and we'll take it from there!

🎭 ADULT ACTING EXPLORATION (Thursdays 7-8:30pm) is a brand new adult acting class at WPAA! This low-pressure acting course is designed to meet you where you're at in your acting journey. Whether you're a veteran of the stage, or just starting out, this course will help you strengthen acting and movement fundamentals, practice valuable skills like cold-reading and improv, and allow you the opportunity to connect with other local adults and make new friends!

🎶 SONGS AND SCENES (Wednesdays 4:30-6pm) is a music theatre singing and acting class for grades 5-8. Focusing on building skills like: Acting through song, aural and sight singing skills, cold-reading, solo and partnered song and scene work, and more! Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers and receive feedback on their performances in a masterclass setting.

💃 SHAKE IT UP (Thursdays 4:45-5:45pm) is a music theatre dance and movement class for grades K-5. Focusing on building a strong foundation in basic dance skills, and putting the "fun" in fundamentals! This class helps young performers learn the basics while expressing themselves and having fun with friends. Students will participate in: comprehensive warm-ups / stretches, across the floor routines, learn short dance combinations, and much more!

We hope to work with you at WPAA this fall! Email all questions to: [email protected]