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Woodshed Creative Ensemble
Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 and Sundays 1-4
Oct 26 JAM (interest meeting) • Nov 7--March 1; Ages 13-19
Woodshed Arts' flagship program, the Creative Ensemble, is seeking new members! We will convene this winter to create and perform a full-length, original musical with the support of three Artist Mentors (Creighton/music, Ashley/choreo, and Eric/tech). If this sounds like fun to you, come jam with the current members on October 26 to meet the current crew, see the space, and get to know what the Creative Ensemble is all about.
What is an XLR cable? What are passive speakers? How do I use a fader? Take a hands-on crash course in theater lights, mics & sound, props & scenery, and more with the inimitable Eric Jacobs. ALL AGES
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When: Saturday, October 11, 3-6pm
$40/person
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Ages 13+​
Propmaster Eric Jacobs (Center Theater, DeepDish, 7year Productions) leads participants in a wild ride of making their own props out of moldable, shapable foam. This one is not to be missed.
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When: Sunday, October 12, 3-6 at The Woodshed
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$40/person ($30 plus $10 materials fee)
Thursday, October 2; 9a-5pm at The Woodshed
Ages 10-14
Just because there's no school doesn't mean you have to sit around looking for stuff to do. In this high-intensity creative jam, 12 middle schoolers creates a mini musical in just one day! With mentors Creighton Irons & Eric Jacobs, they created the songs, props, costumes and scenes for a brand new musical, THE TWINKIE REVOLUTION.
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Jess Klein is a powerful singer and storyteller currently based in Durham. The New York Times calls her “A songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity.” She has toured the globe with her soulful tunes supporting artists like Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco, & Steve Earle. She performs regularly with Jonathan Byrd and hosts a podcast called Jess Klein's Big Table.
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Ben Cosgrove is a New England based traveling composer-performer whose music explores themes of place and environment. He’s passing through Chapel Hill on his way to unveil a new commission on Grandfather Mountain and we are happy to host him at the Woodshed! “A sonic plein-air painter… [using] his piano as a paintbrush,” Ben has performed in 49 states, collaborated with groups ranging from rock bands to research scientists, and held residencies with NASA, the National Park Service, and others.
August 12 at the Woodshed
August 2025
Divinest Sense goes to NH!
The Woodshed Creative Ensemble is taking their new musical, "Divinest Sense," to Peterborough and Harrisville, NH. We will be hosted by the amazing Firelight Theater Workshop, led by Nora Fiffer. We'll perform at Firelight August 2 at 7:30pm. We'll also get to perform in a historic mill in Harrisville, NH on August 1 at 7:30--reserve tickets here!
And...! on Sunday, August 3, we'll have the privilege of performing Divinest Sense for the actors and theater makers at Andy's Summer Playhouse, an institution in greater Peterborough area for over 50 years. Woodshed artists and artists from Andy's and Firelight will get to "cross-pollinate," share stories, and help each other grow as creators and performers.
July 17, 3p • Carolina Meadows
Musical Madness Medley
In a Woodshed (Chatham County? North Carolina??) first, three independent theater groups---preteens at a summer camp, adults at the Woodshed, and seniors from Carolina Meadows---have been tasked with creating three brand new short musicals based on the same single prompt. We will share these three mini-musicals back-to-back-to-back at Carolina Meadows on July 17 at 3pm. Come check it out!
May 15, 2025 • 7:30
Song Swap: Amber Rubarth
& Josh Kimbrough
The acoustic music of Amber Rubarth and local artist Josh Kimbrough along with the end of a week's worth of rain and a happy crowd made for a beautiful evening. What a night!
Previous Woodshed Projects
A sampling of some of the collaboratively creative projects that have made Woodshed Arts who we are!
Arden (2023-24)
The Woodshed Creators Ensemble wrote an original musical based on "As You Like It." They performed it locally (at Carolina Meadows and Woods Charter) then took it to The Willow Globe in Wales.
SONG SWAP with
ABIGAIL DOWD &
TYRONE COTTON
Tuesday, October 8, 7:30p
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Abigail Dowd joins us from Greensboro, NC. She's a captivating storyteller who weaves hints of Celtic melodies with the soulful gospel of the south to create a sound that dances between folk, rock and blues.
Tyrone Cotton has one of the most singular blues voices. Hailing from Louisville, KY (where Dawn met him and fell in love with his music), Cotton’s debut album, Man Like Me, draws inspiration from influences such as Jerry Garcia, Buddy Guy, and Mississippi John Hurt and is the result of his nearly 30 years of performing. He'll be joined by legendary drummer Ray Rizzo. We are elated to host them both!
April 18, 2025
Best Friday Song Swap: Cat & Eman Take it Back
These two phenomenal musicians (and UNC grads!) are coming down from NYC to jam. Joined by Creighton Irons and other area musicians, these two will share songs and create a beautiful night with original songs and covers. Register here if you can join us --- free show, we'll pass the hat!
Songwriting Seminars
w/Dawn Landes (recurring)
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The Portland, Oregon based singer-songwriter (and friend of Dawn's) is doing a full US Living Room Concert Tour and we're happy to host her for an intimate show. She's a brilliant writer and musician and happens to have performed the very first Tiny Desk Concert! She was even a clue on Jeopardy!
Tickets here: https://undertowshows.com/products/chapel-hill-nc-june-23
Sunday June 23rd, 7pm
Laura Gibson in Concert
