News

About the Program

Raleigh Little Theatre is excited to offer a workshop series for aspiring directors, stage managers, and set designers. We recognize that the Theatre Arts need to provide more training, access, and experience to traditionally marginalized groups of people. The purpose of this series is to offer educational and practical experiences in the areas of Directing, Stage Management, Set Design to people who have not been historically represented in theatre training.

RLT’s goal is to continue to promote stories and productions which capture the global majority (BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA+ communities’ voices, celebrations, and experiences. These workshops support our commitment to this goal. Each of the three series (Directing, Stage Management, & Set Design)  will consist of five sessions and will be taught by some of the area’s most talented theatre professionals.

Dates

Monday, April 13, 2025 – Thursday, April 16, 2025

Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Location: Raleigh Little Theatre

Participants

The aim of these workshops is to provide training to adults (18+) of the global majority (BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA+ communities. While these communities will be the primary focus of recruitment efforts, all people will be invited to participate. Each series is capped at 15 participants.

Cost

These workshops will be free of charge for all participants. 

Volunteer Access Fund

If you face financial barriers related to transportation to the theatre, please check out our Volunteer Access Fund pilot program!

Workshops – Participants can only apply and participate in one workshop series.

DIRECTING

The directing workshop series will focus on learning the role of the Director in a theatrical production.  Participants will learn and build skills in casting, blocking, working with actors, and leading a creative team.  This series is taught by one of the area’s most accomplished directors, Tia James

Tia James (Actor|Teacher|Director)  Tia is an assistant professor at UNC Chapel Hill, teaching voice and acting to the graduate students at the Professional Actor Training Program, as well as a company member, resident director, and resident vocal coach for PlayMakers Repertory Company. Tia’s acting credits include Nina in The Royale, Hamlet in Hamlet, Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing, Clyde in Clyde’s, Angel in Blues for an Alabama Sky, Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. Tia’s directing credits include The Color Purple, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Pride and Prejudice, How I learned what I learned, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, Grand Concourse, Constellations,  A Bright New Boise, Hamlet, Othello, Richard III, and has vocal coached over a dozen plays. Education/Awards: MFA NYU Graduate Acting Program, BFA Virginia Commonwealth University, Miller Voice Method Teacher Certification. Recipient of the 2019 & 2020 Michael Chekhov/Zelda Fichandler Scholarship, 2014 NYU Graduate Acting Diversity Mentorship Scholarship, 2003 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival; Irene Ryan Winner.

STAGE MANAGEMENT

The Stage Management workshop series focuses on how to successfully manage a theatrical production.  Participants will learn the process and skills to oversee the smooth execution of a show.  This series is taught by one of Raleigh Little’s Theatre’s most beloved stage managers, Chris Acevedo.

Chris Acevedo has been a local renowned Stage Manager for ten years. He has worked on numerous productions, his recent one being Pure Life Theatre’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” Chris has also dived into the acting realm along with other tech positions during his tenure. When he is not at the theatre, you can catch Chris at your local Starbucks as a barista. Chris’ message and hope for this Stage Management Workshop is to encourage future leaders to make a difference as stage managers and to be their unique selves while doing it. 

LIGHTING DESIGN

The Lighting Design workshop series explores the art of designing lighting for theatrical productions. Participants will learn how to create a stage environment that enhances the storytelling and supports the director’s vision.  This series is taught by the area’s most talented designers, Darby Madewell.

Darby E. Madewell (she/they) is a local lighting and projections designer with more than a decade of experience creating theatre in the Triangle. Darby graduated from NC State in May of 2025 with a master’s degree in computer engineering, which she loves to put to use creating exciting lighting contraptions. She’s had the privilege to learn from and collaborate with many incredible local lighting designers, including Josh Reaves, Kaitlin Rider, Liz Droessler, Chrissie Munich, and Jennifer Sherrod. Recent credits include lighting design for The Secret Garden at Center Theater Company, The Sarafinas, My Way at Theatre Raleigh, Cinderella 2025 at RLT, and Hadestown: Teen Edition at RLT.

How to Apply

If you are interested in participating in one of the workshops, CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

Applications are extended to Friday, April 3, 2026

BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals are given priority in registration. 

If you have any questions, please email education@nullraleighlittletheatre.org 

Sponsor

This project was supported by the Maurer Family Foundation.