Imagination Takes Stage

Never underestimate a mom who sees a gap in experiences for her kids, especially if that mom’s name is Jen Blanton. The founder and producer of FAME Performing Arts, the highly successful, non-competitive theater and musical program in Mount Pleasant, is excited to present WonderStage by FAME. It brings stories to life for young audiences through imaginative, professional theater that inspires curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of the performing arts. Their first full season launches October 2, and Blanton is excited to tell Fig Magazine readers all
about it.

“I grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, and had access to incredible children’s programming with Baltimore and DC being so close,” she says. “I now have four kids and wanted them and all Lowcountry kids to experience theater designed specifically for young audiences, as I did in my childhood.”

WonderStage may produce theater for younger audiences but make no mistake: this is a professional program with professional actors and crew. It does, however, create an opportunity for students at FAME to gain real-world experience.

“What really sets WonderStage apart is Mainstage, our internship program with FAME,” adds Blanton. “Teens don’t just watch our professional shows; they work inside them, alongside actors and crew who do this for a living. Every intern gets paired with a mentor and builds their own path—performing, tech, directing, whatever they’re actually curious about. It’s not a classroom simulation of the industry. It’s the real thing, with real professionals, before they’ve had to bet their future on it.”

These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for many of the interns, and there’s nowhere else in the area where they can get this kind of experience.

Their first show of the season is A Year With Frog and Toad, a celebration of friendship, adventure and the joy of self-discovery. Based on Arnold Lobel’s beloved books and nominated for three Tony Awards, children and the young at heart will go wild for this sweet, musical, playful blend of vaudeville and make-believe that showcases two best friends who learn to embrace what makes them different. With shows running October 2–4, you and your littles won’t want to miss it. And Blanton can’t wait to share it with you.

“It’s bigger than the shows for me, though,” says Blanton. “I want kids watching to see what’s possible for them, too — that you can build something from nothing, that an idea in your head can become a company, a stage, a whole world. If WonderStage does that for even one kid, that matters as much to me as anything happening on stage.”

But the shows on stage are important, too. And maybe even magic.

But don’t take our word for it. Check it out for yourself!

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