WS Chronicle

The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem and RJ Reynolds High School’s Theatre Department have come together for an exciting collaboration that highlights the power of community partnerships in the arts. This joint effort is providing students with hands-on experience in stagecraft while revitalizing an essential piece of theatre equipment: the turntable. 

The turntable plays a crucial role in creating seamless scene transitions. However, like all frequently used equipment, it requires regular maintenance. Under the guidance of Little Theatre’s Technical Director Tab May and RJ Reynolds Theatre Director Nick Zayas, students are assisting in the rebuilding process, gaining invaluable experience in stage automation and technical theatre. 

“This collaboration between RJ Reynolds High School Theatre Department and The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem is a powerful fusion of passion, talent, and community,” said Nick Zayas. “We hope you will all come see “Hadestown: Teen Edition “onstage March 20-22, as well as “Oklahoma! “ is coming to Hanesbrands Theatre in June. Your local arts organizations need your support now more than ever.” 

This partnership is mutually beneficial: The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem gains fresh energy and additional volunteers, while students have the chance to work with professional-grade equipment in a real-world theatre setting. The project is a testament to how local schools and arts organizations can collaborate to create meaningful opportunities. 

Beyond the technical benefits, this project is an extension of the partnership The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem has maintained with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for the past five years. By working together, The Little Theatre and RJ Reynolds High School are helping to develop the next generation of theatre artists, designers and technicians. This collaboration serves as a model for how arts organizations and schools can support each other, ensuring that the creative spirit of communities around the country continues to thrive for years to come. 

RJ Reynolds High School’s “Hadestown: Teen Edition” runs March 20-22 at Reynolds Auditorium, and The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s “Oklahoma!” runs June 6-22 at Hanesbrands Theatre.