Weeks of July 26 & August 3, 2026
Arts of the Pamlico (AOP) summer activities are sizzling with excitement. Get ready to "Move It, Move It!" with the most talented young performers in the Pamlico region! Arts of the Pamlico’s Youth Camp campers have been working incredibly hard to bring the hilarious, high-energy world of Central Park and the jungles of Madagascar straight to the historic Turnage Theatre stage. Based on the smash-hit DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure Jr. follows your favorite zoo celebrities—Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo—as they escape from their home at New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected, wild journey to the eccentric world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Filled with outlandish characters, non-stop adventure, and an infectious pop score, this production is a magnificent showcase of local youth talent, teamwork, and creativity. It’s the ultimate summer theater experience for audiences of all ages. Come out, support our amazing campers, and join the party! Showtimes are Friday July 31 at 7 PM and August 1 at 2 and 7 PM. Tickets are $10 for youth or adults. Grab your tickets online now at www.artsofthepamlico.org, click on Events.
Escape the heat and the rain and be part of the arts. Auditions for live one act plays to be performed in October take place mid-month on stage. Live music performances in our air-conditioned Gallery are happening all month long with Concessions – free BCTMA jams and variety show and a ticketed performance by Quincy Jones & Friends at months.
Season passes are going live on the AOP website this week – save on a set of shows in the Gallery or Theatre or buy both! You won’t want to miss the opportunity to secure a seat in the new balcony seats with table tops and drink holders – a new twist on our old space that will have you returning again and again for great shows in comfort!
The use of the theatre continues to grow with partners and community groups sharing art and cultural programs and community nonprofits raising funds to support the betterment of our community. Ongoing needs to keep to the equipment working and current happens thanks to grants and donations. This week, AOP kicked off a Tech Challenge to match dollar for dollar the $21,250 grant awarded to AOP from the Eddie & Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation. AOP has until December 31, 2026 to meet the challenge. Tech funding secured will replace the well used and very old computers running sound and lights, the ancient light board in the tech booth – which runs on floppy discs! (fingers crossed she keeps humming), choir and boom mics to improve sound, ipads for mobile light and sound adjustments, tech for the Gallery to support the burgeoning list of programs in that space, and lighting repairs and replacement in the Palace Theatre. If you can help ,please mail debra@artsofthepamlico.org or make a donation at https://www.artsofthepamlico.org/tech-challenge. Thank you!
The Vaudeville Museum of the Southeast housed on the second floor is open for tours with partner Forks of Little Washington. AOP’s circa 1913 playhouse was once called the New Theatre as the sign says on Main Street. The museum is full of historical exhibits and costumes from the Jeffrey Phipps collection. Jeffrey served as the Artistic Director for the arts council and continues to provide his flare and bring history to life through his creations and inventory.
Check out AOP’s online calendar at https://www.artsofthepamlico.org/events, find us on Fb and Instagram. Wanted a printed calendar? Grab one outside at the theatre located at 150 West Main Street, Washington, NC.
