Once Upon a Masterclass...

Our Story...

"Once Upon a Masterclass" is a fundraiser for the Charleston Acting Studio's Youth Masterclass production of the Broadway musical Once Upon a Mattress. The Charleston Acting Studio, the educational arm of Midtown Productions, is a nonprofit acting school and community theatre located in Charleston, South Carolina (visit us at midtownproductions.org). Although the CAS offers classes for all ages and experience levels, the Youth Masterclass is an audition only, elite troupe of youth performers from ages 8-17 that produces book musicals and perform them as part of the theatre's main stage season. Previous sell-out productions include How to Eat Like a Child, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and, most recently, Broadway Babies, a musical revue featuring over 25 "kid-centric" Broadway Musical hits.

Why We Need Your Help...

In the past, Youth Masterclass productions have been largely minimalistic, the spectacle of the shows existing solely in the precocious talents of the cast. But, as the reputation and popularity of the CAS Masterclass grows within the community, so grows the desire to take on bigger, more challenging projects within the troupe.

The upcoming Masterclass production, Once Upon a Mattress, provides a slew of new challenges for the fearless ensemble members, which is exactly what they need at this juncture in their theatre education. Yet, the CAS strives to keep class tuition and ticket prices low so that cost is never a factor when it comes to the community experiencing the joy of theatre. In turn, our budget cannot cover the royalties for a book musical without outside support. 

The Youth Masterclass has what it takes to produce something new and special in Once Upon a Mattress. Moreover these relentlessly hardworking kids deserve a castle, medieval costumes, and enough LED's to illuminate the stage! While art and theatre programs dwindle in the school system, the CAS Youth Masterclass works to remind the community how much joy and imagination the magic of theatre can inspire. Just think, your support could mean a happy ending for these kid's "Once Upon a Masterclass."