Upcoming Studio Events
See what’s on deck for PTPT Studio below.
PTPT Pre-Professional Summer Intensive (AGES 10-14)
PTPT Pre-Professional Summer Intensive
Ages 10–14 | July 20–24 | $250
Daily: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
NOTE: There will be a 30-minute lunch break, and students will be responsible for their meals.
PTPT Studio at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
This intensive packs the equivalent of a full month of training into one transformative week. Designed for young artists who are serious about their craft, the PTPT Pre-Professional Intensive offers high-caliber instruction in a professional, collaborative environment, right in the heart of the Wilmington arts community at Historic Thalian Hall.
At PTPT, we believe it takes more than talent to succeed in this industry. We train the whole artist: technically skilled, professionally grounded, and genuinely great to work with, because those are the performers who keep getting cast.
What You’ll Work On
Theatre Dance Technique: Strengthen your body and expand your movement vocabulary so you’re ready for any dancing role that comes your way.
Acting 101: Workshop scenes with fellow participants and build a concrete, repeatable process so no scene ever feels out of reach.
Singing in Storytelling: Go beyond the notes. Learn to carry a story through song and let your acting lead the way.
Musical Theatre Ensemble: Learn the music and choreography of a full Broadway number, performed together at the end of the week.
The Showcase
The intensive culminates in a live showcase on Friday, July 24, which will be open to friends and family and professionally filmed, so you walk away with performance footage for your reel.
What’s Included
✦ Live Showcase, featuring material worked on in the intensive (Friday, July 24)
✦ Professionally Filmed Performance Reel
✦ PTPT Studio T-Shirt
✦ PTPT Studio Tote Bag
Featured Instructors
Emilia Torello (BFA Musical Theatre, University of Miami) is the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of PTPT Apprentice Theatre. Her stage credits span leading roles at Thalian Hall, from Annie at 11 to Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Katherine in Newsies. Her screen credits include The Summer I Turned Pretty, Outer Banks, and The Hunting Wives.
Jessi Hoadley (BFA Musical Theatre & Dance, Western Carolina University) is an active industry professional who has performed in regional productions, on cruise ships, and made her 54 Below debut earlier this year. She recently made Wilmington her home base while continuing to pursue Broadway and national touring opportunities.
We train artists who are in it for real, taught by people who are too.
Master Your Craft In Your Community: Secure Your Intensive Spot TODAY!
PTPT Studio PRO Summer Intensive (AGES 14+)
PTPT Studio PRO Summer Intensive
Ages 14+ | July 27–31 | $275
Daily: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
NOTE: There will be a 30-minute lunch break, and students will be responsible for their meals.
PTPT Studio at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
This is the intensive for the serious ones.
The PTPT Studio Intensive is a five-day deep dive designed for older-teen and adult artists ready to go beyond the basics and train at a higher level. With only 15 spots available, this week is intentionally small — because real growth happens when every person in the room is committed.
At PTPT, we believe it takes more than talent to succeed in this industry. We train the whole artist: technically skilled, professionally grounded, and genuinely great to work with — because those are the performers who keep getting cast.
What You’ll Work On
Theatre Dance Technique: Push your movement vocabulary further and build the physical stamina and versatility that professional musical theatre demands.
Scene Study: Workshop scenes with fellow participants and build a concrete, repeatable process so no scene ever feels out of reach.
Acting through Song: Bring specificity and intention to every song. This isn't about hitting the notes — it's about making someone feel something.
Musical Theatre Ensemble: Learn the music and choreography of a number from a Broadway show and perform it together at the end of the week.
The Showcase
The intensive culminates in a live showcase on Friday, July 31, open to friends and family and professionally filmed, so you walk away with performance footage for your reel.
Who This Is For
This intensive is designed for artists with prior theatre experience who are ready to train at a higher level. Participants should have a foundation in at least one discipline — acting, singing, or dance — and a genuine drive to grow. If you're newer to theatre, our Pre-Professional Intensive (ages 10–14, July 20–24) may be the right fit.
What’s Included
✦ Live Showcase, featuring material worked on in the intensive (Friday, July 31)
✦ Professionally Filmed Performance Reel
✦ PTPT Studio T-Shirt
✦ PTPT Studio Tote Bag
Featured Instructors
Emilia Torello (BFA Musical Theatre, University of Miami) is the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of PTPT Apprentice Theatre. Her stage credits span leading roles at Thalian Hall, from Annie at 11 to Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Katherine in Newsies. Her screen credits include The Summer I Turned Pretty, Outer Banks, and The Hunting Wives.
Jessi Hoadley (BFA Musical Theatre & Dance, Western Carolina University) is an active industry professional who has performed in regional productions, on cruise ships, and made her 54 Below debut earlier this year. She recently made Wilmington her home base while continuing to pursue Broadway and national touring opportunities.
We train artists who are in it for real, taught by people who are too.
ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE. Master Your Craft In Your Community: Secure Your Intensive Spot TODAY!
Dear Evan Hansen: CLOSING
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 7
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
CARRIE: Auditions
Join us Saturday, May 30th, at 3:00 pm for auditions for CARRIE: THE MUSICAL!! We are so excited to bring this cult classic, directed by Apprentice Esme Madi, to the Red Box at Thalian Hall July 9th-12th!
Prepare a 32-bar cut for your audition, accompanist provided. And bring your dancing shoes!
To sign up, click this button to fill out our audition form:
Performances: July 9-12, 2026
The Red Box at Thalian Hall
Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.
Set in the present in the small New England town of Chamberlain, Maine, Carrie: The Musical features a book by Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic film), music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore (Fame, Terms of Endearment), and lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford (Fame, Footloose).
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 6
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 5
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 4
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 3
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: Night 2
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Dear Evan Hansen: OPENING
Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for.
Dear Evan Hansen contains themes of suicide, depression, anxiety, and social isolation. It also includes depictions of grief and family conflict. Audience members who may be sensitive to these topics are encouraged to prepare accordingly. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
AUDITIONS: Dear Evan Hansen - DAY 3
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Auditions: 3/23-3/25/2026
Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of a young man longing to be noticed, understood, and accepted. As one small moment turns into a life-altering lie, the lines between truth and connection begin to blur. This moving musical examines how far we go to feel less alone—and what it means to truly be found.
AUDITIONS: Dear Evan Hansen - DAY 2
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Auditions: 3/23-3/25/2026
Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of a young man longing to be noticed, understood, and accepted. As one small moment turns into a life-altering lie, the lines between truth and connection begin to blur. This moving musical examines how far we go to feel less alone—and what it means to truly be found.
AUDITIONS: Dear Evan Hansen - DAY 1
AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Auditions: 3/23-3/25/2026
Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of a young man longing to be noticed, understood, and accepted. As one small moment turns into a life-altering lie, the lines between truth and connection begin to blur. This moving musical examines how far we go to feel less alone—and what it means to truly be found.
Miscast Fundraiser: NIGHT 3
Step into a night of theatrical subversion and extraordinary talent with the PTPT Apprentice Theatre’s Miscast Cabaret. This high-energy fundraiser features some of Wilmington’s most beloved performers and rising stars as they take on roles and songs they wouldn't traditionally be cast in. From gender-bent showstoppers to unexpected character turns, the evening will feature iconic numbers from Newsies, Les Misérables, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, and more! PLUS an exclusive first look at songs from our upcoming inaugural season.
Emceed by former Miss North Carolina and PTPT Executive Producer Carli Batson-Berry, and led by Executive Artistic Director Emilia Torello and Apprentice Coordinator Katie Mahn, this event celebrates PTPT’s mission to provide accessible, world-class training to the entire Wilmington arts community.
Operating out of the historic Thalian Hall, the PTPT Apprentice Theatre serves as the vital bridge between intensive classroom study and professional employment. It is a hands-on production mentorship program where aspiring artists (14+) work in a 1:1 ratio with seasoned professionals—including TV/Film actors, National Tour performers, and Off-Broadway directors. This is not just a training center; it is a real-world rehearsal environment where the next generation of leaders in production are forged.
PTPT was created in profound honor of the late Paul Teal, a veteran of the Wilmington stage whose talent and spirit left an indelible mark on our community. Paul and Emilia fell in love during the 2022 production of Newsies at Thalian Hall, and PTPT is the realization of Paul’s determination to inspire others to achieve what the world deems “impossible.” Through this program, Paul’s legacy lives on, continuing to ignite the passion of artists and dreamers.
Proceeds from this cabaret directly fund the PTPT Apprentice Theatre 2026 Season, which will bring CARRIE, THE WOLVES, and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD to life.
Join us for a moving and inspiring concert experience that honors the artistry of our past while building the future of the PTPT Apprentice Theatre.
Miscast Fundraiser: NIGHT 2
Step into a night of theatrical subversion and extraordinary talent with the PTPT Apprentice Theatre’s Miscast Cabaret. This high-energy fundraiser features some of Wilmington’s most beloved performers and rising stars as they take on roles and songs they wouldn't traditionally be cast in. From gender-bent showstoppers to unexpected character turns, the evening will feature iconic numbers from Newsies, Les Misérables, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, and more! PLUS an exclusive first look at songs from our upcoming inaugural season.
Emceed by former Miss North Carolina and PTPT Executive Producer Carli Batson-Berry, and led by Executive Artistic Director Emilia Torello and Apprentice Coordinator Katie Mahn, this event celebrates PTPT’s mission to provide accessible, world-class training to the entire Wilmington arts community.
Operating out of the historic Thalian Hall, the PTPT Apprentice Theatre serves as the vital bridge between intensive classroom study and professional employment. It is a hands-on production mentorship program where aspiring artists (14+) work in a 1:1 ratio with seasoned professionals—including TV/Film actors, National Tour performers, and Off-Broadway directors. This is not just a training center; it is a real-world rehearsal environment where the next generation of leaders in production are forged.
PTPT was created in profound honor of the late Paul Teal, a veteran of the Wilmington stage whose talent and spirit left an indelible mark on our community. Paul and Emilia fell in love during the 2022 production of Newsies at Thalian Hall, and PTPT is the realization of Paul’s determination to inspire others to achieve what the world deems “impossible.” Through this program, Paul’s legacy lives on, continuing to ignite the passion of artists and dreamers.
Proceeds from this cabaret directly fund the PTPT Apprentice Theatre 2026 Season, which will bring CARRIE, THE WOLVES, and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD to life.
Join us for a moving and inspiring concert experience that honors the artistry of our past while building the future of the PTPT Apprentice Theatre.
Miscast Fundraiser: NIGHT 1
Step into a night of theatrical subversion and extraordinary talent with the PTPT Apprentice Theatre’s Miscast Cabaret. This high-energy fundraiser features some of Wilmington’s most beloved performers and rising stars as they take on roles and songs they wouldn't traditionally be cast in. From gender-bent showstoppers to unexpected character turns, the evening will feature iconic numbers from Newsies, Les Misérables, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, and more! PLUS an exclusive first look at songs from our upcoming inaugural season.
Emceed by former Miss North Carolina and PTPT Executive Producer Carli Batson-Berry, and led by Executive Artistic Director Emilia Torello and Apprentice Coordinator Katie Mahn, this event celebrates PTPT’s mission to provide accessible, world-class training to the entire Wilmington arts community.
Operating out of the historic Thalian Hall, the PTPT Apprentice Theatre serves as the vital bridge between intensive classroom study and professional employment. It is a hands-on production mentorship program where aspiring artists (14+) work in a 1:1 ratio with seasoned professionals—including TV/Film actors, National Tour performers, and Off-Broadway directors. This is not just a training center; it is a real-world rehearsal environment where the next generation of leaders in production are forged.
PTPT was created in profound honor of the late Paul Teal, a veteran of the Wilmington stage whose talent and spirit left an indelible mark on our community. Paul and Emilia fell in love during the 2022 production of Newsies at Thalian Hall, and PTPT is the realization of Paul’s determination to inspire others to achieve what the world deems “impossible.” Through this program, Paul’s legacy lives on, continuing to ignite the passion of artists and dreamers.
Proceeds from this cabaret directly fund the PTPT Apprentice Theatre 2026 Season, which will bring CARRIE, THE WOLVES, and THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD to life.
Join us for a moving and inspiring concert experience that honors the artistry of our past while building the future of the PTPT Apprentice Theatre.
PTPT Apprentice Theatre: MISCAST AUDITIONS
Join us for the inaugural 2026 Miscast Cabaret Fundraiser!
After the incredible interest in last year’s cabaret, we are opening the stage to the entire Wilmington theatre community. This is your chance to show your stuff while helping us raise money for the PTPT Apprentice Theatre.
What is a "Miscast" Cabaret?
A "Miscast" performance is all about breaking the rules of traditional casting. It’s an opportunity for performers to take on songs or roles they would typically never be cast in due to age, gender, or type. If there is a song you’ve always dreamed of singing but "the industry" says isn't for you—this is your moment to shine!
Audition Details
When: Saturday, January 24th at 10:00 AM
Where: PTPT Studio, Thalian Hall (310 Chestnut St.)
Preparation: Please prepare a 32-bar cut of your favorite musical theatre piece.
How to Register
To secure your audition slot, please complete the registration process by filling out our official Google Form here:
Note: Filling out the form is required to ensure we have your headshot, resume, and contact information on file for the creative team.
Master Your Craft. Learn and Grow with PTPT. 🌱 Enroll in classes or learn more at ptptstudio.com.
We can’t wait to see your most creative "miscast" selections!
PTPT Studio Open House
Join us for the first ever PTPT Studio Open House. Meet our professional faculty, tour our new training spaces, and be the first to hear details about the January 2026 Weekly Classes and the inaugural Apprentice Theatre Season lineup!