Blumenthal Arts

"Les Misérables" is playing in Charlotte this week. "Shucked" rolls into town next week. Ever wonder how Charlotte gets these big-name shows? In a recent episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger's Cristina Bolling talked with Tom Gabbard, longtime CEO of Blumenthal Arts, the organization responsible for bringing major Broadway productions to Charlotte. Recorded in front of a live audience at The Sharon at SouthPark retirement community, the conversation reveals how Blumenthal decides which shows to book — and what it takes to make Charlotte a top 10 Broadway touring market in North America. 🎙 Listen to the episode for insights on: ◼️ What it was like when Hamilton was first pitched ◼️ How Blumenthal attracts both blockbuster tours and homegrown talent ◼️ Why immersive experiences and arts education are part of the mission ◼️ What it's like being a Tony Awards voter You can listen to the 30-minute episode here: https://lnkd.in/e4akmq2A Or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify under "The Charlotte Ledger Podcast." (We released the interview in February.) The Charlotte Ledger covers the people and institutions shaping our city — with original, in-depth journalism you won’t find anywhere else.

“I've always thought that Charlotte has some of the most amazing talent,” said stage and screen actor Warren Egypt Franklin, who will host the 2025 Blumey Awards on Sunday, May 18. “The kids are bold in Charlotte. They're bold and they're polished and if they're not polished, they have this raw mechanism talent that just needs a little… shine on it." You can find out more about Franklin, who joined the U.S. National Tour of "Hamilton" right out of college, and played Carolina legend Cam Newton in the series "American Sports Story," in my latest blog for Blumenthal Arts. https://lnkd.in/eQDHikV4 #musicaltheater #highschool #warrenegyptfranklin

Our Blume Studios team was honored to host future innovators this week! As one stop on their first day-long event with the Charlotte Innovators Peer Group, high school sophomores and seniors from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools made up the majority of a 120-person contingent that had a chance to experience MONOPOLY LIFESIZED: Travel Edition in person! These students are getting hands-on experiences at the intersection of arts, entertainment and technology and that can only make Charlotte a stronger city! Thank you for learning with us!

As we inch closer to this weekend’s big Blumey Awards ceremony, we’ll be checking in with some alums doing EXCITING things in the theater industry! Next up, Northwest School of the Arts grad Liam Pearce, who is currently starring ON BROADWAY as Romeo in & Juliet!

As we inch closer to this weekend’s big The Blumey Awards ceremony, we’ll be checking in with some alums doing EXCITING things in the theater industry! Next up, two-time Blumey Awards loser turned THREE-TIME Tony Award-winning producer (and he’s nominated again this year) Thomas Laub! Bravo, Thomas!

“There’s so much talent in the arts, especially in Charlotte, I’ve seen that firsthand and met them firsthand. Having generous people give opportunities to those students… it’s one of the best things I think about Charlotte.” As we inch closer to this weekend’s big Blumey Awards ceremony, we’ll be checking in with some alums doing EXCITING things in the theater industry! Next up, Central Academy of Technology and Arts graduate and 2024 Gordon Hay Scholarship recipient Sophie DiBella! We caught up with her in New York City where she is studying Theatrical Production and Design at NYU, with an emphasis on Lighting Design! The future is BRIGHT, Sophie! BRAVO!

“It takes a whole village just to make sure every night, the show goes off without a hitch.” As we inch closer to this weekend’s big Blumey Awards ceremony, presented by Bank of America, we’ll be checking in with some alums doing EXCITING things in the theater industry! First up, Charlotte Latin School graduate Ryan Gardner, who is currently one of the Stage Managers for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on BROADWAY! Bravo, Ryan!

Every day we experience the versatility of Blume Studios! One morning this week we saw the fully built out “MONOPOLY LIFESIZED: Travel Edition” taking 2/3 of the space, while the other 1/3 was filled with energy for “Creative Mornings”! I am so glad more people are learning about this space and I am excited for them to see how it continues to evolve!

Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Gordon Hay Scholarship recipients, an award designated for a student pursuing a theatrical career in a non-performance discipline! North Lincoln HS senior Emily Stanton was awarded $10,000. She will study lighting design at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts this fall. Weddington HS senior Miles Denny-Martinez was awarded $5,000. He will also attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts this fall. Victoria Kahnle, who is currently studying at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville was awarded $2,500. BRAVO Emily, Miles and Victoria!

Please join us in congratulating Maria Nicoleta Cutitaru and Elijah Phillips, the 2025 recipients of the Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship – a $10,000 award which can be renewed annually throughout their college studies! Maria Nicoleta will graduate from the High School of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts soon and plans to attend Boston University in the fall! Elijah will graduate from Northwest School of the Arts in a few weeks and plans to attend Shenandoah University to pursue a BFA in Acting! Both will be recognized at this year’s Blumey Awards ceremony at Belk Theater on May 18! BRAVO, Maria Nicoleta and Elijah!