Advanced Students Transform Holiday Classic Into Spellbinding Theater Experience
The Spotlight Acting School presents Charles Dickens’ timeless tale A Christmas Carol for two weekends in November, bringing the magic of redemption and the spirit of Christmas to Berea audiences. Performances run November 14-16 and November 21-23 at The Spotlight Playhouse.
This beloved holiday classic follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a bitter, miserly businessman to a generous, kind-hearted soul after he is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. In the hands of Spotlight’s exceptional 14-18 year old performers, the story comes alive in ways that will leave audiences absolutely spellbound.
Why This Performance Will Be Extraordinary
When Spotlight’s advanced age group takes on a classic like A Christmas Carol, magic happens. These aren’t just students performing—they’re young artists who transform stories into experiences that touch hearts and change lives.
The 14-18 age group represents the pinnacle of Spotlight Acting School’s training program. These advanced students bring college-level quality to their performances, combining technical skill with emotional depth that rivals professional productions.
“This is why our advanced students are the pride of Spotlight Acting School,” notes the production announcement. “They don’t just perform, they transform stories into experiences.”
Two Casts, Six Performances
Following Spotlight’s signature approach, A Christmas Carol features two complete casts—Purple Cast and Blue Cast—giving more students the opportunity to take on challenging roles while allowing audiences to see different interpretations of the beloved characters.
Purple Cast performs:
- Friday, November 14 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 16 at 7:30 PM
Blue Cast performs:
- Friday, November 21 at 8:00 PM
- Saturday, November 22 at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, November 23 at 7:30 PM
A Story That Never Gets Old
A Christmas Carol has endured for more than 180 years because it speaks to something universal: the possibility of change, the power of compassion, and the importance of human connection.
Dickens’ story takes audiences on a journey through Scrooge’s past, present, and potential future, guided by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Along the way, we meet unforgettable characters: the cheerful Bob Cratchit and his family, including Tiny Tim; Scrooge’s joyful nephew Fred; and the haunting figure of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s former business partner.
The story’s themes—generosity versus greed, isolation versus community, despair versus hope—resonate as powerfully today as they did when Dickens first published the novella in 1843.
Perfect Holiday Entertainment
A Christmas Carol offers ideal family entertainment for the holiday season. The story balances humor and heart, featuring moments that will make audiences laugh and scenes that will bring tears to their eyes.
For families looking to start holiday traditions, attending A Christmas Carol at Spotlight Playhouse offers a meaningful way to celebrate the season together. The production provides an opportunity to experience live theater, support young artists in the community, and reflect on the values that make the holidays special.
Supporting Young Artists
Every Spotlight Acting School production represents months of dedication from student performers. These young artists balance rehearsals with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and family commitments to bring quality theater to the Berea community.
The 14-18 age group tackles particularly demanding material, performing works that require emotional range, character development, and technical precision. A Christmas Carol challenges these young performers to embody characters across different ages and social classes, to convey complex emotions, and to work together as an ensemble to tell a cohesive story.
This dedication is on full display Saturday, November 15. After the school hosts auditions for its next generation of performers for Frozen Jr. in the afternoon, this advanced cast will take the stage that very evening to deliver their spellbinding performance of A Christmas Carol. It’s a perfect example of Spotlight’s vibrant, multi-generational arts community in action.
Attending a Spotlight production means supporting these young artists as they develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives—confidence, collaboration, creativity, and commitment.
A Holiday Tradition Worth Starting
As the holiday season approaches, A Christmas Carol reminds us what matters most: kindness, generosity, and the connections we share with others. Seeing this story performed by talented young people from our own community adds an extra layer of meaning to Dickens’ message.
Whether you’ve seen A Christmas Carol dozens of times or this will be your first experience with the story, Spotlight’s production promises to deliver something special. The combination of Dickens’ powerful storytelling and the passion of young performers creates theater that truly transforms.
Performance Information
Dickens’ A Christmas CarolPresented by Spotlight Acting School (Ages 14-18)
📅 Purple Cast:Friday, November 14 at 8:00 PMSaturday, November 15 at 8:00 PMSunday, November 16 at 7:30 PM
📅 Blue Cast:Friday, November 21 at 8:00 PMSaturday, November 22 at 8:00 PMSunday, November 23 at 7:30 PM
📍 The Spotlight Playhouse214 Richmond Road North, Berea, KY 40403
🎟️ Tickets: Available at ticketsource.us/spotlightactingschool
Note: Be sure to check the cast list for your preferred date! The Purple Cast performs the entire first weekend (Nov 14-16) and the Blue Cast performs the entire second weekend (Nov 21-23).
Experience the magic of the season. Support young artists. Celebrate a timeless story of transformation and hope. 🎭✨🎄