Acting Up! - About Us

Kelly Slusarick

(Artistic Director)

Kelly has had twenty-plus years experience teaching children of all ages in public school, private school and now in her own theatre program. She has led children's choirs, taught private piano lessons, as well as written and directed several full-length musicals and children's plays. She holds a BFA in Theatre Education from East Carolina University and attended Graduate School at UNCG before returning to her first love; teaching! Her husband Scot and both daughters all love the theatre and are all involved in many aspects of theatre production. Kelly has found theatre a wonderful means of incorporating all of her loves; dance, music, art, and drama - all into one!

The mission of Acting Up Children’s Theatre is to provide students of all ages with the means to actively explore the beauty, diversity, complexity and challenges of the world around them through the dramatic process. We strive for our students to develop their own unique creative voice, their imagination and their understanding of drama and its role in society.

We look forward to having your child(ren) grow as they experience new adventures and challenges in our classes!

Our company is based on the belief that our children's needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.

We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.

Location:

The Academy Rec Center

147 Academy Street NW

Concord, NC 28025

Call Kelly Slusarick @ 704.699.8642

Ashlyn Keller Sumner

(Choreographer)

Ashlyn received a BFA in Dance, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from UNCG. As a professional dancer, she performed with Louisville Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, NC Savoyards Opera and 15/501 Ballet Company. Ms. Sumner has a wide array of teaching experience. She has served as a teacher for Duke University, NCDT, The Cannon School, and the Durham and Cabarrus County Public Schools.

Tommy Foster

(Drama)

Tommy Foster is a native of Concord and a professional actor based in NYC for over 10 years. He has performed in regional theatres from Florida to Long Island, sung on cruise ships around the world, won the 2005 Bistro Award for his one-man show, and made a two-second appearance on a certain HBO series about four women in the big city. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and will be pursuing his MFA in Acting at the Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University this Fall. He also maintains an active role as a coach and teacher for young thespians and took a year off from acting to teach theatre at Central Cabarrus High School in 2007.

Driving Directions

Elise DuQuette

( Core Teacher)

Elise lives in the magical world of her imagination. She believes it is possible to be a kid at heart forever through enjoying all of life’s treasures, journeys and explorations. Her adventures have brought her from Concord to UNCG where she studied Theatre and Photography graduating in May 2008. Elise loves to work with kids and believes that theatre can teach many valuable life skills that can be used in all aspects of life. While in school, she taught after school classes at a Title 1 elementary school and ran spring break camps through The Community Theatre of Greensboro. She also spent a semester in Australia where she interned as the seasons director at Fresh Youth Theatre. In March 2009, she wrote and directed the children’s play “Wild Hank” for Rachael’s Gift Organization. She began her new adventure by joining the Acting Up Children’s Theatre in January 2010!