Walltown Children's Theatre Founding Artistic Director
Cynthia Penn-Halal
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
After a six-week summer program in the late sixties, Cynthia left home at age fourteen to study dance professionally at North Carolina School of the Arts Carolina, and endured extensive training to become a dancer of the world renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She has performed with other major companies such as The Joffrey Ballet, Agnes de Mille Heritage Dance Theatre, DanzaHoy and Bella Lewitzky. Cynthia has worked with MacArthur and Kennedy Center Award legendary genius, Jacques d’Amboise of Natiional Dance Institute both in New York City and New Jersey as well as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2010. She is honored to be the recipient of a number of awards that has recognized her work as an arts educator and community leader. Her awards include the Kennedy Center, 1998 Miss North Carolina Pageant Woman of the Year, faculty recognition from UNCSA., The Kathryn H Wallace Award for Artists in Community Service, Spectacular Magazines 2014 Woman of the Year in the arts category, 2014 Cultural Enrichment Service Award by the W. Deen Mohammed Islamic Center and Z. Smith Reynolds sabbatical award.
Administrative & Office Staff
Cara M. Williams
Executive Director Being a good leader does not mean you always have to be out front. I strive to hire great people and create an environment of collaboration, creativity, and mutual support. As Executive Director, it is my job to put administrative processes in place so that our instructors, can focus on being great artists, and on transferring their knowledge, skills, and training to our next generation of artists."
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Board of Directors
Kita Douglas: WCT Board Chair
Kita Douglas is an educator and researcher in Durham who has served as a tutor at Walltown since 2012. A Ph.D candidate focusing on ethnic studies in the department of English at Duke University, Kita is committed to supporting youth as dynamic leaders and creative learners. Kita is the recipient of the 2016 Dora Anne Little Award given annually to a Duke student, undergraduate or graduate, who has excelled in service to the campus and community that extends beyond the classroom. Zig Zigler once said that “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”
-My goal as Board Chair is to ensure WCT is a very "lucky" organization!! |
Bryan H. Stypmann, Secretary Bryan is a Global Account Manager for NXP Semiconductors, a proud NC State alum, with degrees in Electrical & Computer Engineering, and MBA. Bryan and his wife, Rissi Palmer (a WCT instructor), also run Baldilocks LLC to manage Rissi’s music career. He has two daughters, Grace (a WCT student) and Nova. |
David Mills, Treasurer Dave is the Finance Director of El Futuro, Inc., a nonprofit mental-health clinic for Spanish-speakers based in Durham. Dave is a licensed CPA who has worked in the nonprofit sector in North Carolina for two decades. Dave and his wife, Leila Keen, have two daughters, Eva and Rose. Rose is a longtime WCT camper and dancer! |
Karen Dacons-Brock Karen is a former professor of theatre at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). During her tenure at NCCU, she taught performance courses, developed and produced new plays, directed theatrical productions, and promoted the University via edutainment performance tours. She was also the recipient of teaching and directing awards. Beyond the University, Dacons-Brock has collaborated on new play projects, served on boards, and directed productions for various theatre companies in the Triangle. She is a resident of Durham. |
Nathan Snowden Nathan Snowden is a North Carolina native hailing from Onslow County who has a passion for the arts. Growing up Nathan excelled in voice, piano, and drums participating in multiple recitals and plays. Now as an adult he still has those passions but also has a passion for the Triangle community and seeing it thrive. Formerly he worked at United Way of the Greater Triangle where he served as a Manager of Corporate Philanthropy where he told the story of United Way to corporate audiences and cultivated strong relationships with external constituents and nonprofit leaders alike. Currently he is seeking his next professional opportunity and looks forward to his next chapter. He resides with his wife April in Holly Springs, North Carolina. |
Advisory Board Members
Max Rose Mr. Rose is an independent consultant and writer. He received the L. Richardson Preyer Award for Excellence in Political Science, graduated with highest honors and highest distinction from the University of North Carolina, and was awarded the Autry fellowship at MDC for commitment to equity and the South. |
MaryBeth Panagos Currently serving as a Producer and Project Manager for Pro-Ficiency, MaryBeth is passionate about bridging the Biotech-Community Gap through grassroots efforts. MaryBeth serves on the Walltown Children's Theatre Board to support the growth, aspirations and talents of Durham's youth. |
After School Arts (ASA) Staff
Dance Programs Staff (click photo for bio and current class listings)
Drama Programs Staff (click photo for bio and current class listings)
Dilsey Davis
Drama Programs Director My life's mission is to use the arts, and particularly film, to advance society by building social bridges and fostering a greater understanding of the equality of all people. A huge part of realizing that mission is taking part in the training and education of future artists.
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Music Programs Staff (click photo for bio and current class listings)
Tech Programs Staff (click photo for bio and current class & workshop listings)
TBD Scenery / Set Design |
TBD Costumes & Props |
TBD Stage Management |
TBD Audio Production |
TBD Audio Tech |
TBD Audio Recording/Engineering |
TBD Audio Production |