Nichole Murrell
Nichole Murrell was born and raised in New Bern, NC. She has lived in Wilmington for over 18 years where she has grown and come to call her home. She is a wife and a mother of 3 beautiful girls. She is a graduate of Strayer University where she received her Bachelors degree in Business Management. Her career has branched off through multiple major communication companies such as Sprint and Verizon Wireless. She decided to make a career changed years back to match the needs of her family and her heart. Nichole has always loved working with the youth. From small babysitting jobs as a teenager to holding leadership roles in non-profit dance, singing or outreach organizations. This path led her to her current role in education. She has been an educator for 7 years now with New Hanover County Schools. Nichole loves working with children and especially those with exceptional needs. She finds comfort in providing guidance and leadership to young individuals to ensure they have a positive impact to this world as they grow. Nichole leads youth groups and organizations with her church and also the community. Her desire is to be an example for others to see how hard work, determination and positive energy can make a difference in so many ways. She has a small business called Cole’s Creations where her many gifts are used and enjoyed. In addition to her lead career, she has a cosmetology license and bank teller certification. Outside of spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, acting, baking and crafting. She has been apart of the Thalian Board for 2 years now and prays to be an impact for the up building of the organization.
Myrtle Grove Inn
Brad Sizemore Insurance
Boney Decor Solutions
nCino
First National Bank
102.7 gni
94.5 The Hawk
Coast 97.3
WWQQ
WAAV
WAAV
Star Power!
You know the ones – always singing, dancing, and making people laugh! This is a fabulous performance, dancing, and singing experience that allows children to expand their creative ambitions, be confident, and learn new skills. Always an Academy favorite!
Adventures in Acting
Learn the exciting world of acting by participating in theatre games & activities designed to develop their confidence and creativity. They will learn to express themselves by using their mind, voice, and body. They will engage in activities such as stage movement, improvisation, & character development. The class will culminate in a presentation at the TACT Academy Showcase.
Gotta’ Sing Gotta’ Dance
Do you have a budding Broadway star wo just loves to sing and dance around the house? This is an amazing skills building class that focuses on song and dance for musical theatre. Learn the foundation of musical theatre with Broadway songs and Broadway dance routines. Register early – this class will fill up fast!
Spotlight on Theatrics!
This class will allow students to take the next step in building acting and dance techniques. We will focus on how to better approach material, sharpen audition & performance skills, understand direction and adjustments, make strong choices, relax, and have confidence. This class is designed to help unlock imagination and overcome inhibitions.
Improv Mania
This class will focus on the FUNdamentals of improvisation. You will learn to think quickly, be more creative and improve teamwork as you develop the skills and spontaneity needed to be “bust-a-gut” funny. Even if you are already a skilled performer, you will benefit from taking a fresh look at the essentials of good scenic improvisation. Fun, fast paced and focused, this class will be a blast.
South State Bank
South State Bank
Wilmington Marine
The Community Foundation of North Carolina East
First Citizens Bank
The Iapalucci Law Firm PLCC
Logan Hayes
Logan Hayes was born and raised in Wilmington, NC and cannot seem to escape the beach life. He absolutely loves to read, dance, and late-night drives singing tons of Broadway hits. Logan has performed in Musical Theatre since the age of 8 and his love for the art has only grown. He has an extensive background of dance training beginning at the age of 4. He has trained in jazz, hip-hop, tap, clogging and musical theatre dance. He has worked with children in performing arts since 2011 and would not change it for the world. Logan has performed many times with Thalian Association and is looking forward to an amazing year with the Youth Academy.
Porters Neck Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Sarah Cruickshank
Sarah Cruickshank is thrilled to be teaching at TACT Academy this fall! Sarah fell in love with the performing arts at a young age when she began acting at her local community theatre. She has choreographed and assistant-directed several children’s shows throughout her career (favorite credits include: WINNIE THE POOH, CAT IN THE HAT, and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) and has taught beginner tap and ballet. Sarah holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communication and a minor in Theatre Arts. She has also completed research on women in theatre and drama therapy with the elderly and adults with disabilities. She looks forward to teaching the next generation of Wilmingtonian actors!
Courtney Harding
Courtney Harding grew up participating in Thalian Association Youth Theatre. She graduated with honors from UNC Charlotte in Theatre Education and a minor in dance. She now teaches theatre at New Hanover High School by day and performs in local theatre by night! Courtney also directs Boss Camp productions every summer at Creative Arts Camp.
Junie B. Jones the Musical Jr.
Junie B. Jones is back! Based on the bestselling books, the saga of the wisecracking first-grader continues in Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School, a goofy and heartwarming follow-up to Junie B. Jones, The Musical.
Sleuth
The ultimate game of cat-and-mouse is played out in a cozy English country house owned by celebrated mystery writer, Andrew Wyke.
Little Shop of Horrors
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years.
Company
The habitually single Robert is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood during a hilarious array of interactions.
Jan Wutkowski
Board Member Jan Wutkowski grew up in a military family with many moves over her school years. She received her BAE from the University of Mississippi and a ME from the University of Southern Mississippi.She spent a few years as a school librarian before moving into scientific/medical/engineering research librarianship. In 1994 Jan moved to Wilmington, from Memphis, to live on a 40’ sailboat.In early 1995, she had a life-changing opportunity to live in Australia, spending an incredible year exploring far and wide.While living in Melbourne she found her life’s calling and attended millinery school studying under one of the world’s most renowned milliners.Returning to Wilmington in early 1996 she spent 12 years as the research librarian for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while continuing to develop a customer base with her millinery. In 2005, she opened a retail shop, aMuse: artisanal finery, specializing in custom-made hats and vintage jewelry.During that time she was very involved in Wilmington’s fashion and charity scene and continues to find opportunities to work in arts-related events. She is thrilled to be a part of Thalian Association and looks forward to helping continue its historic legacy.”
Linda Stinson
Linda is an owner/partner in RLS Focused Solutions, a business coaching firm established in 2003. She has successfully completed programs in individual and organizational development and is part of continuing educational programs in those areas. Linda has worked with for-profit and non-profit organizations throughout the Carolinas in planning and business development and has conducted presentations at annual conferences/meetings for various organizations and associations. She has been a speaker at business forums and those presentations have included programs for the North Carolina Center for Non-Profits, The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life, and the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina. Linda has also presented programs for the Small Business Centers at Brunswick Community College and Southeastern Community College. Linda is a graduate of Leadership Wilmington and has served on the Board of Directors of the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, acting as chairperson for two years, and the Board of Directors of DREAMS. Linda’s past experience includes 10 years with Ted Bates & Company, an international advertising and marketing firm and 15 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry serving individuals, groups of varying sizes, and corporate clientele.”
Thomas Plummer
Thomas Plummer was born and raised in Danbury, CT. He credits his love for the theatre to his grandmother, Diane Thorpe, who would bring Thomas and his cousins to see a play every Fourth of July weekend when they visited their grandparents in Westerly, RI. Thomas graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC in 2010 and has worked with his family owned business, Infinity Payment Systems, since 2011. Joining the Thalian Association Board of Directors in 2019, Thomas looks to bring awareness and support to the Thalian Association and their mission. Thomas is married to his beautiful wife, Colleen. They have two children; Camille, born in 2018, and James, born in 2020.
Stuart Pike
Board Member
Tori Jones
Tori worked in marketing and operations for PepsiCo, Cumulus Broadcasting and Atlantic Coast Advertising before founding Clove Marketing in 1999, a full service marketing agency. She has since assisted hundreds of retail, service, manufacturing and institutional organizations with a variety of successful profit-building efforts. She holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and a BS in Marketing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In addition to her agency work, she has served as an instructor at UNC Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business, where she taught Promotions Management, and Marketing Research. Tori has served on numerous local boards and committees for organizations including Dreams of Wilmington, Communities In Schools, Wilmington Industrial Development, Coastal Entrepreneurial Council, Cucalorus Film Festival, Cape Fear Blues Festival, Celebrate Wilmington!, Cameron Museum of Art, Wilmington Downtown Inc., and Downtown Business Alliance. She is current member and past president of Wilmington West Rotary.
Silivea Johnson
Silivea Johnson is an exceptionally talented female pioneer and vocalist who is also a multifaceted Recording Artist, Musician, Songwriter, Production Engineer, and Radio Syndication Show Host. Although her primary artist genre is Faith Based Music, she is an extraordinary jazz vocalist who was also classically trained throughout her childhood years. Silivea Johnson has opened for major artists such as Patti LaBelle, and Dionne Warwick to name a few. Shortly after graduating from college, Silivea recorded and toured as lead vocalist with Billboard Award winning Jazz Trumpeter Tom Browne. With Browne, Silivea graced various world renowned jazz venues such as “Blues Alley”, (Georgetown) , as well as “Sound Of Brazil” (SOB’s), and “The Blue Note” in New York City. She also performed live on the 90’s popular musical television series by Black Entertainment Television Network called BET’s Jazz Central, hosted then by the late Lou Rawls. Silivea has also performed live in concert on New York City’s top Urban Radio station WBLS F.M. Whether on the air, behind the piano, soundboard console, or at the microphone Silivea uses her platform to bridge generational gaps through music. Silivea Johnson is a supporter of community arts, and is currently a board member of Thalian Association Wilmington, NC. When she is not doing music, she manages and co-operates a small business with her husband.
Emma Jackson
Emma Jackson the current New Hanover County Schools Federal Programs Director. Emma is a native of Belize. Except for a four-year period in the late 1960’s, where she served as a lecturer at Belize Teachers College, she has spent all of her professional life in the New Hanover County School System as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Executive Director of Instructional Services. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in New York and attended Washington University in St. Louis, New York University, and is a graduate of Fayetteville State and East Carolina Universities. Among the numerous state and local education committees on which she has served are her two terms on the NC Annual Testing Commission, where she chaired the Writing Sub-Committee, the NC Commission on Education for Economic Growth, the NC Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center, the NHCS Senior Quality Council and the Redistricting Committee. Emma has held leadership positions in many organizations. She has served as the Treasurer, and the President of the Churchwomen and the Sr. Warden of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the National Vice-President of Jack & Jill of America, Inc., local President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc. She has also been a Board Member of the Cameron Art Museum and TACT. She is married for over fifty years to Russell Jackson and they have two daughters and a granddaughter.
Sharon V. Dickey, LCMHC
Sharon V. Dickey, LCMHCA is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. She is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University where she received her BA in Psychology in 1998. Sharon received her MS Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2018, and a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior in 2019. Sharon is currently a practicing Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate. Sharon is also a self-published author of her very own memoir “My Reason Why” and an inspiring work that encourages you to find your purpose called “What is Your Price of Admission?”. Sharon’s favorite quote is by Mahatma Ghandi, “The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others”. Sharon has dedicated herself to serving others as a member of the Young Adult Missionary Society at her Church, Warner Temple, AMEZ. She also serves in her community as a member of Rose Fidelity #651 Order of the Eastern Star, and as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Zeta Rho Zeta Chapter, where she proudly holds the office of third vice president, and Undergraduate Chapter Advisor at UNCW, as well as being given the honor of Zeta Rho Zeta, Zeta of the Year 2020. Sharon’s most recent honor in Zeta was being appointed the North Carolina Mental Health Coordinator 2020-2022. Sharon is truly at her best and filled with joy when she is taking the time to volunteer at the Good Shepherd, helping the elderly, or mentoring young ladies and helping them find direction and purpose in life. As a therapist, author, and mentor, it is Sharon’s belief that you can be your true self, have everything you desire, and be a Blessing to those around you by promoting change in the world and serving others in your community! www.sharondickey.com
Bradley Coxe
Bradley Coxe is a native and resident of Wilmington. He currently is an attorney and partner in the Wilmington law firm of Hodges Coxe Potter & Phillips, LLP. The firm is a full-service firm with a wide ranging array of legal services for both personal and business interests. Bradley primarily practices in the fields of personal injury and business litigation. He has been involved in theater in Wilmington since high school and has acted in several shows for Thalian Association on the main stage at Thalian Hall and at the Red Barn Studio. Prior to joining the Thalian Association Board of Directors, he was a Board member and chairperson of the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bradley is married to Julie Hays Coxe and has a daughter, Ella, born in 2002, and a son, Gavin, born in 2006.
ATMOS
Hodges Coxe, LLP.
Mark Steelman Photography
Cumulus
Port City Films
Sheally Insurance Group
RiverLights
Station No. 2
Ironclad
Rabbit Run
Eggs-citing Easter Weekend Run to Benefit Youth Theatre!
