ACT! for Youth looks to expand the storytelling at the Edna Boykin Cultural Center in its upcoming 29th season. Elves, Goblins, Trolls, Hobbits, a great Wizard and a Dragon are all to be found in the classic J.R.R. Tolkien Middle Earth epic journey tale, The Hobbit. Favorite modern book characters will take the stage in Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder and a musical version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Tarheel Tales offers a collection of the “Jack Stories” from the Appalachia region of western North Carolina. Then divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived has the ex-wives of Henry VIII returning in SIX: Teen Edition to set the herstorical record straight!
ACT! for Youth presents: THE HOBBIT
Public Performances: October 4-12
School Show: Thursday, October 9 at 10 AM
Auditions will be held August 3-5
For more information about auditions, please visit the auditions page here: ACT! for Youth Auditions – https://www.wilsonarts.com
About the Show
The Hobbit is a full-length drama adapted for the stage by Patricia Gray, based on the classic J.R.R. Tolkien novel of the same name. Bilbo Baggins is swept up with Thorin Oakenshield and his company of dwarves, along with Gandalf the Grey, to slay Smaug the Dragon and win back their stolen treasure. The adaptation, officially authorized by Professor Tolkein in 1968, includes all the fictional characters of Tolkein's beloved epic tale of magic, treasure, and dragons. This production will be directed by Hannah Slaughter.
Play | 2 hours
THE HOBBIT is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
ACT! for Youth presents: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, THE MUSICAL
Public Performances: February 14-22, 2026
School Show: Thursday, February 19 at 10 AM
About the Show
Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way.
Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
Musical | 2 hours
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. www.broadwaylicensing.com
ACT! for Youth presents: JUNIE B. JONES: TOOTHLESS WONDER
Public Performances: March 13-15, 2026
School Show: Wednesday, March 18 at 10 AM
Creative HeARTs Show: Wednesday, March 18 at 1 PM
About the Show
Junie B. Jones is having a rough day—no, scratch that, a rough week! First off, she is about to lose her first tooth. What will she even look like once it comes out? And what does the tooth fairy want all those teeth for anyway? Even worse, everyone in her class except for her has been invited to her classmate Jim’s birthday party. Will Junie B. land that surprisingly elusive invitation? Return to Junie B.’s charming and witty world in JUNIE B. JONES: TOOTHLESS WONDER by Allison Gregory based on the book JunieB., First Grader: Toothless Wonder by Barbara Park.
Play | 60-70 minutes
JUNIE B. JONES: TOOTHLESS WONDER is presented by arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. www.playscripts.com
ACT! for Youth presents: TARHEEL TALES
Public Performances: April 10-12, 2026
School Show: Thursday, April 15 at 10 AM
Creative HeARTs show: Thursday, April 15 at 1 PM
About the Show
Five stories are presented by an ensemble cast in story theatre/audience participation style. Jack and the Northwest Wind: Jack seeks the source of the wind and makes his fortune. The Big Toe: A humorous ghost story like those "jump tales" told around a camp fire. Old Dry Frye: The misadventures of a dead body around the community with the audience joining in the refrain, "Everybody Knows Old Dry Frye." Wicked John and the Devil: Six lucky volunteers from the audience get involved in John's successful efforts at outsmarting the devil. Jack and the Robbers: A popular closing story featuring a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster who help Jack in his journey to discover a fortune.
Adapted by Tom Behm. From the stories collected by Richard Chase in The Jack Tales and Grandfather Tales.
Play | 60 minutes
TARHEEL TALES is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
ACT! for Youth presents: SIX: TEEN EDITION
Dates: To Be Determined
About the Show
SIX: TEEN EDITION is a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.
The New York Times says SIX is “pure entertainment!” and the Evening Standard hails SIX as “the most uplifting new British musical I have ever had the privilege to watch.”
At its heart, SIX is about celebrating the talent and individuality of the women and non-binary people onstage. The Queens should therefore be played by cis women, trans women, trans people and people who exist beyond the gender binary in any capacity, who feel on a personal level that this is their story to tell. Cast can be expanded to include backup singers and dancers of all gender identities.
Musical | 80 minutes
SIX: TEEN EDITION is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
