Divas! returns to RLT’s Sutton Theatre for its 18th anniversary in 2024! Who will be crowned our 2024 Diva? To find out, save the date for an evening of glitz, glam, and giving on May 11.

Saturday, May 11, 2024
Pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Alison Lawrence
Music Director: Jeff Whicker
Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
Event Chairs: Diana Hurtado & Suzanne Ruggles

All ticket holders are invited to join us for a pre-show reception an hour before the show begins! Mingle with fellow attendees and current and past Divas, browse our silent auction items in-person, and enjoy refreshments and light bites from Mitchell-Casteel A Fine Catered Affair.

Get a sneak peek of the Divas! program here!

How does Divas! work?

Leading up to and throughout the evening, support your favorite Diva with your dollars! This can be done by making donations on Bidpal, our website, or in person via check or credit card on the night of the event. You can also bid on amazing silent and live auction items and decide which Diva your bid will support! Every dollar raised is one vote for your chosen Diva. The Diva with the highest fundraising total by the end of the night wins the coveted crown (and bragging rights)!

Bid on items & support a Diva!

You don’t have to be present to win our incredible silent auction items! Browse and bid on an assortment of beautiful items beginning Wednesday, May 8, on our Bidpal page. The auction will close during intermission of Divas! on Saturday, May 11, around 9:00pm. Please bid generously – all funds raised support RLT!

There are also be a few exclusive packages available as live auction items! Bidding will occur at Divas!, so come prepared to open your hearts and wallets.

Meet our Divas!

We’re excited to announce our 2024 competing Divas! Click each Diva’s name below to head straight to their BidPal page! You can also vote for your favorite Diva by donating on our website. Thanks for voting and supporting RLT and your 2024 Divas!

Anjali Thawani

Anjali is thrilled to return to DIVAS for her second attempt at the crown! Anjali got her BFA in Acting from the University of Illinois many moons ago. She worked as a professional actor in Chicago for some time, and in a (very weird twist) ended up in medical school (long story, you’ll have to wait for the documentary). These days, Anjali’s most important DIVA role is as mom to her three young kids (love you Milan, Mala, Shaan). She has a day job as a breast cancer surgeon at UNC Rex, and is truly honored to have found her way back to the stage with this talented group. Many thanks to all who have supported (or will support) Anjali’s second run for the crown!

Watch Anjali’s campaign video!

Ann Forsthoefel

Ann Forsthoefel is thrilled to reunite with Alison and return to Raleigh Little Theatre where she performed in “Lost in Yonkers” and “Ruthless, the Musical,” and has taken multiple classes. Favorite shows: “Nunsense” (Sr. Robert Anne), Oliver! (Widow Corney), Pride and Prejudice (Lady Catherine), Harold and Maude (Mrs. Chasen), “All The Way” (McNamara, et al.), “Witness for the Prosecution” (Romaine), “Urinetown,” (Mrs. Millenium). Also, she has sung with NC Opera, Triangle Opera Studios, and Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. Thanks to Alison, Elaine, Jeff, and Freddie Lee. Love to Terence, Vanessa, and Juli!

Watch Ann’s campaign video!

Audrey LeBouef

Audrey (Audi) LeBouef is a 7th grader at Ligon Magnet Middle School, where she is part of the wind ensemble, honors chorus, and theater groups, and has played roles including Sally Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. She got to keep up her Peanuts performances by playing Lucy in A Charlie Brown’s Christmas at NRACT. After making her DIVAS debut playing the French horn in 2023, Audi is delighted to be a real DIVA in 2024 and excited to raise money for Raleigh Little Theatre!

Watch Audrey’s campaign video!

Aya Wallace

Aya Wallace is an arts educator, advocate, and performer attending Temple University (BS) and New York University (MA). She has performed as Averie, Dot (NRACT), Wanda, Crowns (Agape Theater) and Coco, Wedding Day Worries (Renee Nixon). Aya assisted in choreography for Hands on a Hardbody (RLT), choreographed Fun Home (NRACT), and Last Stop on Market Street (RLT), and as Wiletta Mayor, Trouble in Mind (RLT). Aya was first runner-up for Divas 2021!

Watch Aya’s campaign video!

Chris Inhulsen

Chris Inhulsen is a Cary native, a UNCG Senior, and works at the State Employee’s Credit Union. This is his third DIVAS! and is hoping that the third time’s a charm! Select theatre credits include: Brigadoon (Charlie Dalrymple) Cary Players, Sweet Charity (Daddy) Meredith College, Tartuffe (Tartuffe) Meredith College, Assassins (John Hinkley) NC State, Big River (Huck Finn) Temple Theatre. He would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support. Whatever you find yourself doing, keep the Arts part of your life!

Watch Chris’s campaign video!

Cora Stumpf

Cora Stumpf, age 13, has made the stage her second home. Favorite credits: Annie (Annie), A Christmas Story (Helen), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past), Beauty and the Beast (Chip), Shrek (Young Fiona), Matilda (Matilda). Cora sang with the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall in 2023 and 2024. Thanks to Temple Theatre’s Gavan Pamer, Peggy Taphorn, and Alison Lawrence. Shout-out to favorite duet/scene partner, Jude, and her supportive parents.

Watch Cora’s campaign video!

Dominic & Hannah MacAulay

Dominic and Hannah MacAulay, your first official Divas couple, are thrilled to be giving the performance of a lifetime in Divas! 2024. Having previously made debuts in White Iris Light Opera and North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre, they are excited to be breaking ground together at Raleigh Little Theatre. And what better way to celebrate just getting married than to act, sing, and dance together for you all! Enjoy!!

Watch Dominic & Hannah’s campaign video!

Emma K. Johnson

Emma K. Johnson as of Divas! performance day (May 11th) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Professional Communications from Meredith College! Previous roles include: Black Stache in “Peter and the Starcatcher” (FVAC); Cinderella in “Cinderella” (RLT); Chris Hargensen in “Carrie: The Musical” (MCT); Mom in “Nuclear Family” (MCT). She also recently directed Meredith College Theatre’s “Miscast Cabaret”. She thanks her friends, family, and dog for all of their love and support. Love to Dad, Slay Divas!

Watch Emma’s campaign video!

Joshua Faggion

Joshua Faggion is very excited to be joining the Divas stage for the second year in a row! Joshua has been active in music and theater since a young age, and ever since, has been enjoying exploring what it means to tell a good story. Favorite roles include playing Hero in NRACT’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and Gene/Pew in Ceramic Goose’s “Treasure Island”. This upcoming semester, Joshua will be heading out of state to study Musical Theatre at a currently un-revealed BFA program. He would like to thank his family for their unwavering support of his journey towards professional Musical Theatre and is grateful for your support.

Watch Joshua’s campaign video!

Melanie Carviou

Melanie most recently performed the role of Louise Seger in Always…Patsy Cline at North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre. Some other past roles include Noleta Nethercott in Sordid Lives, Norma McCorvey in Roe, Darlene Seward in The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, and Kate in The Wild Party (North Raleigh Arts and Creative Theatre), as well as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz and Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense (Cary Players).

Watch Melanie’s campaign video!

Ron Lopez

Ron is thrilled to be one of this year’s DIVAS! A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, he has performed and directed many shoes across the country. Favorite credits include John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, The Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, and Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone. He has also played both Franz and Rodger in The Producers. Ron would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support.

Watch Ron’s campaign video!

Terra Hodge

Terra Hodge is an educator, director, and actress. She serves as RLT’s Director of Education. Her favorite directing credits include The Dance on Widow’s Row, (Agape Theatre Project), Crowns (Raleigh Little Theatre), and Caroline, or Change (The Justice Theatre Project). Her favorite acting roles include Vera Stark in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (NRACT), Serena in Porgy and Bess, and Celie in The Color Purple (The Justice Theatre Project). Thank you for your support!

Watch Terra’s campaign video!

Thanks to our sponsors!

DIAMOND SPONSOR ($1,000 LEVEL)

Alec & Georgia Donaldson
Cantey & Jim Tanner
Cece & Peter Scott
David & Elaine Petrone
Dee Penven-Crew (RLT 2019 Diva!)
Jay Johnson
Rob & Linda Grew
Steve & Lisa Zaytoun
Williams Mullen

GOLD SPONSOR ($500 LEVEL)

Baker Roofing Company
Brooke & Jeff Cummings
Debbie & Larry Robbins
Duke Energy
Leslie Ann Jackson & Chris Locascio
Medlin-Davis Cleaners
Natasha Gore & D.A. Oldis
Pam Swanstrom
Poyner Spruill
Rosemary & Smedes York
Walton & Maready Orthodontics

SILVER SPONSOR ($250 LEVEL)

Amelia Lumpkin Household
Andrea Nixon
Cary Area Real Estate
Charles & Emily Phaneuf
Diana & Alfredo Hurtado
Dr. Terry Messer/Raleigh Hand to Shoulder Center
Jennifer Latino
Judy & Kent Dove
Magnus & Freyja Sindemark
Midtown Pediatric Dentistry
Morgan-Williams Family
Neil & Mary Saunders
Robert Courts: YBYRaleigh
Rudra Dutta & Amrapali Bose
Steven B. Epstein
Suzanne Ruggles & Rod Abernethy
Thomas Mauney
Zaytoun Orthodontics

Special Thanks

Judi & David Wilkinson Foundation