🔥 BY ANY OTHER NAME: An Opus for James Baldwin

This June, the life and legacy of James Baldwin take center stage at Charlotte’s Off-Broadway Black Box Theater.

BY ANY OTHER NAME: An Opus for James Baldwin is a bold, two-act tribute to one of America’s most celebrated writers, blending biography, theatricality, and historical dialogue. Through monologue, movement, and conversation, Baldwin revisits his life—from the Harlem pulpit to Paris cafés—engaging with historical giants like Dr. King, Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers, along with fictional characters that challenge, comfort, and inspire.

Written and directed by Brian Daye, the production stars seasoned Charlotte actor Gerald Hazelton as Baldwin, with Paul Michael as Professor Weiss, Spencer Addison as Lucien, Jonathan Caldwell as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Graham Williams as Malcolm X and TV Host, Kayla Carter as Niccoletta Brown, andRobert Rankin as Medgar Evers.

Performances are Thursday, June 5; Friday, June 6; Saturday, June 7; Thursday, June 12 (Pay What You Can Night); Friday, June 13; Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 PM at Charlotte’s Off-Broadway Black Box Theater at the VAPA Center

Presented by Dayelight LLC, this show promises an unforgettable theatrical experience that celebrates the voice, fire, and enduring influence of James Baldwin.

Get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/3YdEpYS

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Hot Mess Productions presents

Sex, Lies and a Sycamore Tree

Written and directed by Elaine Alexander

Rehearsals June 15 – July 23

Shows July 24 - August 3, 2025

Ticket link coming soon!

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Charlotte’s Off-Broadway presents

MEET & GREET: An Evening of One Acts

Thurs Sept 4 – Sun Sept 21

In the COB black box theater at The VAPA Center

Step into the spotlight with three side-splitting scripts that capture the chaos, charm, and catastrophes of auditions—whether you're vying for the role of a lifetime or just trying to land a paycheck! Packed with wit and absurdity, these scenes bring the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of the audition process to life.

Thurs, Sept 4 7:30 pm – Opening Night, followed by talk-back with playwrights Susan Lambert (Hamilton Audition) and Stan Zimmerman (Meet & Greet)

Fri Sept 5 7:30 pm – Show

Sat Sept 6 7:30 pm – Show

Sun Sept 7 2:30 pm – Show

Wed Sept 10 7:30 pm – Show – Pay What You Can

Thurs Sept 11 7:30 pm – Show

Fri Sept 12 7:30 pm – Show

Sat Sept 13 7:30 pm – Show

Fri Sept 19 7:30 pm – Show

Sat Sept 20 7:30 pm – Show

Sun Sept 21 2:30 pm – Show

Hamilton Audition written by Susan Lambert

A non-black director casting an all-female production of Hamilton doesn’t know enough black women to fill the cast. And a black gospel singer, who is not an actress, has a few questions for her about the Tony Award winning show.

The Job Interview written by Don Zolidis

Interviewing for a new job is never easy. It's especially awful when you're called in to interview alongside your competition. It's even more anxiety-inducing when the job you are interviewing for has been known to demolish the spirits of those who have worked there - at a certain establishment that specializes in the construction of stuffed animals.

Meet & Greet by Stan Zimmerman & Christian McLaughlin

From the writers of “Golden Girls” & “Married… With Children”

Four aging TV divas are all up for the same lead in a new sitcom. When they encounter each other at the network casting office, old rivalries come to the surface, egos clash, and a shocking revelation forces them to question their entire existence. “Non-stop laughter. Co-writers Zimmerman and McLaughlin skewer today’s Hollywood - with in joke after in-joke, though none of them so “in” as to fly over the head.  All of this makes for some delectable scene stealing with all five Meet & Greet stars equally guilty of stage larceny. Meet & Greet keeps audiences in stitches from its outrageously hilarious start to its devilishly funny finish.”- Steven Stanley, StageScene LA

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Linda Ann Watt teaches acting classes:

Mondays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Thursdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

In the COB rehearsal room

Check out details at: Charlotte Acting website

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Need to rent a space for your independent theater project?

Contact Anne Lambert at charlottesoffbroadway@gmail.com

Or call or text 704-589-9146

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