Live Arts Education Programs

Live Arts Education Programs offers year-round, process-driven educational opportunities that include acting, playwriting, script analysis, improvisation, musical theater, movement, and design. The program includes studio classes, workshops, camps, and youth programs for adults, children, and teens.

• Ages: 5–18 years old

For more than three decades, Live Arts has dedicated itself to its mission in Charlottesville, Virginia, with the mission statement “Forging Theater & Community.” Live Arts is described as a national model for engaged community theater and is powered by hundreds of volunteers, with engagement in local communities that attracts participants and audiences from across Central Virginia. Friday Night Live! is a series of vibrant community events on the third Friday night of every month on the 4th floor rooftop terrace of Live Arts off the downtown mall. The organization’s leadership team includes Fringe Program Director and Interim Artistic Director Ray Nedzel, Executive Director Lisa Capraro, Education Director Daniel Kunkel, Technical Director Jeremy Duncan Pape, Production & Volunteer Manager Aldrian Argante, Associate Technical Director Annie Temmink, Office Manager Chloe Morgan, Data Manager Chris Kelly, Front of House Manager Alana Adams, Marketing Coordinator Andrew Bryce, Audience Experience Manager emeritus Darryl Smith, Grants Writer Karen Hays, President Miller Susen, Vice President/DEI Chair Ckalib S. Nelson, Treasurer/Finance Chair Silas Byrne, Governance Chair Willa Mulhollan Neale, board members Bonita Patton, Ashleé Thompson, Anda Webb, and Dr. Nsofwa J. Chanda, Counsel James F. Neale, CCA Representative Karen Pape, and Board member and CCA Representative Dr. Nsofwa J. Chanda.

Last updated January 18, 2026.