About Walltown Childrens' THeatre
Our Mission
Walltown Children’s Theatre inspires positive social change by empowering and reconnecting young people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, creating a new expression of community, and enriching their lives and those of their families and communities, through exemplary performing arts instruction and youth development programming.
Our Story
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At Walltown Children's Theatre, we believe every youth has the ability to succeed when given the opportunities and support to do so. WCT is embedded in and directly serves the youth and families in the immediate Walltown community, in Durham, and in the Triangle.
When we founded in 2000, WCT developed after-school programming to connect youth with the community at large and has been a major contributor to the successful revitalization of the Walltown neighborhood. We have had great success in changing the lives of youth by nurturing collaboration, discipline, and confidence in one's talents in a small, safe environment. Our enrollment has grown and our reputation for high-quality arts instruction has attracted students from all over Durham and the surrounding area. The WCT after-school environment is a relaxed and "family-like" atmosphere. Children are encouraged to be respectful and supportive of one another. We remain true to our core mission of providing high-quality arts instruction regardless of a student's ability to pay. Duke University, Triangle Community Foundation, Durham County, and the Durham Arts Council are among the donors who allow WCT to provide scholarship funding to any student who needs it. We offer classes in drumming, drama, vocal technique, creative writing, piano lab, stage production, and dance, and are adding new classes each year. In addition to training and tutoring, WCT builds confidence in youth by offering opportunities for leadership and supporting students as they take on additional responsibilities within the school. Our goal is to prepare students for any career or undertaking by helping them build a strong and well-grounded set of life skills through the arts. |
Our Team (Board & Staff)
Walltown Children’s Theatre is led by a passionate team of teaching artists, directors, and administrators who are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of performers and creators. With deep roots in both education and the arts, our staff brings a wide range of experience—on stage, in the studio, and in the community.
Whether guiding first-time dancers or preparing young actors for the spotlight, our team is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and challenging environment where every child can grow.
Whether guiding first-time dancers or preparing young actors for the spotlight, our team is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and challenging environment where every child can grow.
Our Sponsors (Community Support in Action)
Walltown Children’s Theatre is proud to be supported by a growing network of sponsors who champion arts education and youth development. Their generosity helps ensure that young people in our community have access to high-quality training, performance opportunities, and a creative space where they can thrive.
Statements & Company Affirmations
At Walltown Children’s Theatre, we believe that words shape culture—and affirming our values helps guide our work. This section shares the principles that ground our organization: what we stand for, how we serve, and the kind of community we strive to build. These are not just policies, but commitments to our students, families, and each other.
Equity & Access Statement
Walltown Children’s Theatre is committed to equity in action—not just in principle. We work to remove financial, cultural, and systemic barriers that have historically limited access to arts education. We offer sliding scale tuition, scholarship opportunities, and community-informed programming so that every young person—regardless of background—has a place to grow, create, and belong. Our commitment to access includes re-evaluating our policies, curriculum, and practices to ensure fairness, inclusion, and representation at every level.
Student-Centered Learning Philosophy
At the heart of our work is the belief that every child is already an artist. We center the individual growth of each student—not just their technical skill, but their confidence, creativity, and sense of self. Our classrooms are spaces of both discipline and joy, where young artists are encouraged to take risks, support each other, and find their voice through performance. Teaching at Walltown is not about creating perfection, but about cultivating possibility.
Community Engagement Statement
Walltown exists because of—and for—our Durham community. We strive to be an active, responsive cultural home where local families feel seen, heard, and represented. Whether we’re on stage, in the classroom, or out in the neighborhood, we aim to reflect the beauty, diversity, and complexity of the world around us. We build partnerships with schools, community groups, and local artists to extend our reach and deepen our impact beyond the walls of our theatre.
Representation in the Arts Statement
We believe the stories we tell—and who gets to tell them—matter. At Walltown, we are committed to amplifying voices that have been historically marginalized, and to centering Black, Brown, and culturally diverse perspectives in our curriculum, casting, and programming. Representation is not an afterthought; it is a responsibility. We actively seek out work that reflects the lived experiences of our students and their communities, and we teach our young artists that their stories are worth telling.
Artistic Integrity & Youth Development
While we aim for excellence in every performance, we never lose sight of our deeper goal: developing kind, confident, and compassionate young people. At Walltown, artistry and personal growth go hand in hand. We model respect, accountability, and care in all that we do, creating a culture where students are challenged and supported. Every choice—from casting to choreography—is guided by the question: what will best serve the child, the art, and the community?
Our Original and Commissioned Works
At Walltown Children’s Theatre, we believe in creating art that reflects the voices, histories, and dreams of our students and our city. Over the years, we’ve penned and commissioned original works that speak directly to the lived experiences of our community—works that blend tradition with innovation, and artistry with authenticity. These productions are more than performances—they are acts of cultural storytelling, empowerment, and joy.
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Bangin'
2003/2004 Written By: Joseph Henderson Set against the pulse of contemporary Durham, Bangin’ explores the impact of gun violence - focusing on the story of teenage loss and community trauma. Bold, urgent, and emotionally raw, this original piece was created to spark conversation, healing, and change—offering a platform for young voices to process what too often goes unspoken. |
The Sweet Shop
20XX Written By: Cynthia Penn-Halal This stylized theatrical work celebrates Black beauty, sisterhood, and self-worth through the rhythm and ritual of a local candy shop. Full of humor, heart, and music, The Sweet Shop is both a love letter to Black girlhood and a cultural celebration of community spaces. |
Math Quest
2004 Written By: Joseph Henderson An adventure in numbers This high-energy original musical takes students on a journey through math concepts with humor, heart, and hip-hop. Created in partnership with Duke University education students, MathQuest transforms arithmetic into art—making multiplication magical and equations exciting. It premiered at the Carolina Theatre and was celebrated for creatively supporting early math learning through performance. |
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Romeo & Julieta
2003 Written By: Joseph Henderson A bilingual reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Romeo & Julieta weaves English and Spanish to tell this classic story of love, loss, and cultural collision. Set in a modern multicultural world, this adaptation offers new layers of identity, belonging, and family loyalty. |
The Durham Nutcracker
2010 Written By: Cynthia Penn-Halal This hometown holiday favorite combines the best of both worlds: the iconic spectacle of Tchaikovsky’s ballet with an engaging story of a young dancer pursuing a dream in the face of contemporary — and relatable — challenges. |
Indigo Blue
2013 Written By: Howard Craft Blending spoken word, movement, and original music, Indigo Blue tells a story of ancestry, identity, and resilience. Set in the American South, this piece explores the spiritual and historical threads that connect young people to their roots and their future. |
Xmas Carol - What the Dickens!?!
2023 Written By: Cynthia Penn-Halal Hold on to your nightcaps! Walltown Children’s Theatre has transported the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge and the gang, from the blustery streets of 19th century London to modern-day America. While addressing the unchanging issues of greed, generosity, and economic inequality, “What the Dickens?” draws inspiration from contemporary music, modern dance and includes a number of original songs. Audiences of any age will find this quirky modern-musical inspiring and brimming with holiday spirit. |
The Mayor of Walltown
in progress Written By: Leoneda Inge The Mayor of Walltown is a historical musical drama based on the life of the founder of the Walltown neighborhood, George Wall, a formerly enslaved man who worked at Trinity College for sixty years and built Walltown’s first home in 1892. |
Flakes
2003 Written By: Joseph Henderson Be part of the magic—audition for one of our full-scale productions and experience the thrill of performing live.
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ARCHIVES
Promo Videos
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2017 Black Box Promo Video
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2007 promo video
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Excerpt from WTown's 2013 Production of "Flakes"
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Documentary Projects
Spotlight on Walltown ~ 2021
A Photo-documentary project of the 2021 DUKE University class entitled" Documentary Photography: Education, Childhood and Growth"
Project under the supervision of Educator Susie Post Rust - additional project information and photo credits can be found HERE
Original website: http://spotlightonwalltown.com/index.html#stories
A Photo-documentary project of the 2021 DUKE University class entitled" Documentary Photography: Education, Childhood and Growth"
Project under the supervision of Educator Susie Post Rust - additional project information and photo credits can be found HERE
Original website: http://spotlightonwalltown.com/index.html#stories
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Indigo Blue, the Stage is Set
by Jacob Margolis |
Family Affair
by Avery Smedley |
Tabi's Story: the Discipline of Dance, by Sonia Green
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Zya: A Dancing Flame
by Amalia Desir |
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Spotlight on Sawyer
by Hanrui Huang |
Enjoying Each Other's Company
by Kavya Menke |
Making an Impact
by Meghan Durkin |
Like Teacher Like Student: Barbara Dickinson & Jabari Logan
by Rani Bleznak |
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Abby's Story: Learning Today, Leading tomorrow
by Supta Das |
Leading with Passion
by Ivanna Gonzalez |
His World in Dance Theater
by Katherine Zhong |
Indigo Blue, the Musical
by Rena Ouyang |
The Stories Behind Walltown ~ 2016
A series of short documentaries created in partnership with Walltown Children's Theatre and the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
Original Website: https://storiesbehindwalltown.wordpress.com/
A series of short documentaries created in partnership with Walltown Children's Theatre and the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
Original Website: https://storiesbehindwalltown.wordpress.com/
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A Disease the World Has
by Vincent Bivona |
Abby & Artemisa (a tale of two sisters)
by Justin Sapp |
Axel
by Dominic MacCormack |
Ayanna Webster
by Katherine Zhou |
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Dominique
by Haoyang Zhao |
Menfese Clavel
by Jason Guo |
Myanna, My Love and My Dream
by Yijie Zhu |
Nia Huell Griffin
by Trista Porter |
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Something of Her Own
by Amari El-Amin |
The Action of the Arts
by Zoe Berk |
The Story of Karina
by Xingyao Zheng |
Unstoppable
by Meredith McCoy |
News & Print Media
Photo Archives
Indigo Blue 2013
Young Performers Camps & Classes 2012
The Durham Nutcracker 2012-14
