Each year in January, Thalian Hall’s “Pied Piper Theatre” performs for over 6,000 school children from New Hanover, Brunswick, and Duplin Counties. First and second-grade students travel to Thalian Hall by bus and are treated to an original musical comedy featuring talent sourced from the local acting community and produced by Thalian Hall staff.
For many children, this is their first experience seeing live theatre.
The Pied Piper Theatre program provides participating classrooms a synopsis of the play and songs to learn at the start of the school year to prepare students for a rewarding and engaged trip to the theatre. Familiarity with the music and story helps to create an interactive environment upon arrival. Each play expresses positive themes, theatrical magic and laughter. It fosters an appreciation of live performance and local history, as well creativity and technical prowess to our young citizens.
“Low-income students who are highly engaged in the arts are more than twice as likely to graduate college than their peers with no arts education.”
- Americans for the Arts
Pied Piper History
First established in 1949 by the Junior League of Wilmington, this initiative has been supported by many key players including UNCW Director Doug Swink and Thalian Hall Executive Director Tony Rivenbark to reach its current vision. As our counties’ populations continue to grow, expanding Pied Piper Theatre is part of CEO Shane Fernando’s plan for Thalian’s future.
For the developing actors and stagehands that volunteer with seasoned professionals to put on Pied Piper Theatre each year, it’s a right of passage in our theatrical community. The joy of giving back and performing for this excited young audience is often when the “theatre bug” bites them. Some Pied Piper alums can be recognized on the professional stage and from careers in film and television. We are grateful many return year after year to share their gifts with our youngest patrons.
Pied Piper Theatre is made possible by the generosity of our members and sponsors, the Landfall Foundation, the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, Frederick Loewe Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, South Arts, North Carolina Arts Council.
