Transitions for Parkway Playhouse Junior

When you see her next, congratulate Mea Johnson on her full time job at Toe River Arts as their Education & Social Media Coordinator.  And the next time you see Hunter Taylor, congratulate him on his new job as Education Coordinator at Parkway Playhouse!

“I’m so excited,” Hunter said.  “I never would have expected that an off-hand recommendation to audition for Reading is Alive over a year ago would turn into my first real job after graduation. And it’s a job in the theater, which I love. Plus I get to teach the musical theatre Conservatory Class!”

Enrollment for Conservatory Classes begins August 1 and the new slate of options and instructors are up on our website.

Show Time for TRAC Artists (You won’t believe what they’ve created!)

We may be in tech week preparing for our December 12-14 performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” (tickets here), but it’s SHOW TIME for many other artists in the Toe Valley.

If you’ve committed to buying locally for Christmas this year, buying products made in the USA, or avoiding the bustle of mega stores, there’s no better way to do your holiday shopping than the TRAC Studio Tour. (Except for buying 2015 Parkway Playhouse Season Tickets as stocking stuffers!)

You can see all the participating artists and maps HERE.

However, we’d like to call your special attention to some artists that are special to us (primarily because they are parents of current Parkway Playhouse Junior performers!) We are so thankful to them for supporting their kids as they become a part of our vibrant arts community here in the mountains. We are thankful too, for the partnership of the Toe River Arts Council in making our counties a spectacular place for artists to live and create.

Take some time this weekend to visit…

Bandana Pottery – (3385 NC 80 Bakersville, NC) – Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish

Christina Cordova & Pablo Soto (Penland-285 Laughing Bird Hollow)

Glass Blowers Loretta Forde & David Wilson (showing at the Celo Community Center)

ALSO, if you wanti to make a weekend out of it… check out this GREAT deal on Groupon for the NuWray Inn in downtown Burnsville!

Photo taken by Nancy Smith

And while we’re at it, here’s another tip: since our performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life” are happening right across the street from the NuWray Inn at the Burnsville Town Center, you might want to book a room for next weekend! See the show then walk across the street to your historic accommodations. It’s a weekend of nostalgia just waiting to put you in the right kind of Christmas spirit.