Roanoke Children's Theatre Appoints Producing Artistic Director

Roanoke Children's Theatre announced today that Brett J. Roden will become the Producing Artistic Director for the Company beginning with the upcoming 2019-2020 Season. After 11 successful seasons serving as Artistic Director, founder Pat Wilhelms will transition to become the Company's Resident Stage Director. Wilhelms, who hand selected Roden to be her successor, will continue to maintain a creative role within RCT, directing all mainstage productions.

Wilhelms founded Roanoke Children's Theatre in 2008 with her inaugural production of Madeline's Christmas. Under her tenure, RCT's productions, educational outreach programming and theatre education classes have served more than 156,000 people. Under her leadership, over 7,000 school aged children attend student matinees annually and over 9,000 are served by touring throughout the summer to areas that do not have a professional theatre. Wilhelms created RCT4TEENS, a mainstage production and program that tackles health issues. RCT4TEENS has been recognized by The New York Times. With Wilhelms at the helm, RCT was awarded the prestigious Kendig Award and voted the best place to see a family performance.

With this planned leadership transition, RCT will continue to maintain their core values and high quality production elements. Now that the organization has matured, Wilhelms is ready to turn over RCT operations to Roden, so he can continue to grow RCT to the

next level. Wilhelms will concentrate exclusively on providing exceptional live theatre entertainment that families and schools have grown accustomed to at RCT.

"This is a perfect opportunity for the theatre," says Wilhelms. "It is time for someone else to carry the torch and see where they can take RCT next. Brett is very energetic, talented, organized, connected to the community and most importantly, passionate about all we do as an organization. I have full confidence that he will do incredible things to grow this organization. I love this theatre, and know it will remain THE theatre for schools and families. A place where families know they will get a quality show and quality theatre education because all of our programming and all of our dollars go to that mission 100% of the time."

Roden will begin his new position as Producing Artistic Director on September 1, 2019. "I am thrilled to be spearheading RCT's 12th season as the newly appointed Producing Artistic Director of RCT: Professional Theatre for Schools & Families," says Roden. "I hope to provide Roanoke with a prestigious theatrical experience that will empower, fill the audience with love and passion, and live inside of them forever."

"After 11 strong seasons of RCT under the renowned leadership of Pat Wilhelms, it is my honor and pleasure to take over the only professional theatre in the Roanoke Valley solely dedicated to kids, schools and families," Roden continues. "I am elated to continue my artistic collaboration with Pat as we work together to bring our audiences superior productions as a part of RCT's professional mainstage season."

Each season RCT brings a variety of professional adult actors from N.Y.C., D.C. and all around the U.S. to provide a top-notch theatrical experience for regional audiences. The 2019-2020 Season kicks off with the heartfelt musical, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT. This story is warm, imaginative and filled with love. Audiences will be brought back to their childhood through the love and friendship that the velveteen "stuffed" rabbit brings to the young boy in this classic childhood story. The holidays bring the magical, TONY award- winning Broadway musical, MATILDA! This Roald Dahl classic will transform imaginations through the fresh, contemporary musical score and exhilarating high- intensity choreography. RCT invites audiences to join Matilda and all of her "revolting" friends, as they stand up for what is right. Continuing the Company's RCT4TEENS programming, RCT has commissioned the award-winning playwright, Samantha Macher, to write an original work titled THE FAKES. The play will tackle internet safety, internet predators, internet addiction and provide resources to keep youth and families safe on the internet. The season closes with an Appalachian twist on the classic tale "Jack and the Beanstalk,"

JACK AND THE WONDER BEANS. This story will feature a giant, magic beans, puppets and a live Appalachian folk band. For more information or to buy tickets, patrons may call the box office at 540.345.2550. Patrons may also visit RoanokeChildrensTheatre.org for full details.

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