The Birthday Bash was a Blast!
The Playhouse celebrated our 20th birthday on Sunday, September 25th in the Booneshine Beer Garden. In both rain and shine, we had a great time!

Wonderful volunteers from the Playhouse board, the community, and Appalachian State University helped staff 20 hands-on activities including a one-of-a-kind puzzle sculpture created by Shelton Wilder.



We were amazed by “Mad Scientist” Dr. Michael Hambourger and Nancy Wilson from the AppState Department of Chemistry, and grooved with an all start lineup of musicians Laura Donovan, Tommy Smith, Jordan Nance, and Jeremy Ferrell.



Big thanks to all our sponsors and donors who helped us to keep the event free and even give away 100 kids’ meals to families who preregistered. We are also grateful to the businesses who donated to our raffle baskets and to Sherry Street-Tobin and Maggie Christenbury for organizing them. See below for a complete list of sponsors.
We couldn’t have pulled off this amazing day without the organizing committee led by Aaron White, Delores Wilder, Sherry Street-Tobin and assisted by board members Andrea Anderson and Cynthia Cero and Playhouse staff members Ellen Lewis and Kathy Parham along with all the Playhouse program assistants.
The funds raised at the Birthday Bash will help us provide free memberships to low-income families and create more quality programs and exhibits. It’s not too late to show your Playhouse love and help us meet our goal: Click here to make a 20th Birthday Gift.



Big Thanks to the Birthday Bash Sponsors and Donors!
Superheros: Booneshine Brewing Company & Mast General Store
Fairy Godparents: Rebecca Hutchins
Speedy Racers: Basil’s Pasta and Deli, Dr. Anne Corinne Beaver, Bluebird Pediatric Dentist, Bridgeman Dentistry, Chandler Concrete Company, First Security Insurance, Craig Fischer & Kathy Parham, Greenway Medical Associates, Cordelia Parham, Allison and Tony Schlake, Aaron White, and Nancy White
Busy Builders: A Flooring Outlet, INC; BHHS Vincent Properties; Rebekah Canu; Luke Copeland, CPA; CruXolve; Dereka’s Sugar Mountain Realty, INC; Jana Duke; Megan Ellis; Global Imprint; Jamie Glover; Ariail Gores; Greene Construction; Stephanie Langston; Mark and Ellen Lewis; Mustard Seed Market; Revolution Boone; Delores Wilder
Playhouse Pals: Julie Bostick, Brown Heights Properties, Beth Darnell, Shiree Dome, Sandy Elliott, Katie Ferrell, Allison Gulley, Jennifer Hayward, Paulette Marty, Jan Rienerth, Beth Shanklin, Jonathan Smith, Cordelia Stearns, Jacqueline Tilton
Raffle Basket Donors
Appalachian State University Schaefer Center, Appalachian State University Department of Theatre & DAnce, Appalachian Theatre, Bluebird Exchange, Bluebird Exchange, Canvas Beauty Bar, Care Collective, Common Ground Martial Arts, Cupcrazed Cakery, Cynthia Cero, Deer Valley Athletic Club, Espresso News, Foggy Pines Books, Frank Veno, Grandfather Mountain Biosphere, Hatchet Coffee Roasters, Incredible Toy Company, Lost Province Brewing Company, Maggie Christenbury, Marland Architecture, Naturally By Carol, Neighborhood Yoga, Northwestern Studios, Over Yonder Restaurant, Peabody’s Wine and Beer, Pepper’s Restaurant, Proper Restaurant, River and Earth Adventures, Rivergirl Fishing Co, Sassy Cat Bakery, Sky Valley Zip Tours, The Best Cellar, The Children’s Playhouse, Tweetsie Rail Road, Valle Crucis Conference Center, and the Watauga Arts Council




Rebecca Hutchins



Dr. Anne-Corinne Beaver, MD


Craig Fischer and Kathy Parham

Cordelia Parham
Allison and Tony Schlake
Aaron White
Nancy White

A Flooring Outlet, Inc
565 Main St E, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Rebekah Canu
Luke Copeland, CPA


Jana Duke
Megan Ellis

Jamie Glover
*Ariail Gores*

Stephanie Langston
Mark and Ellen Lewis


Delores Wilder
