PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – On Saturday, June 15, the Children’s Theatre of Southern Maryland announced Aly Cross as its new artistic director. Cross has been a part of CTSMD since early 2022, serving as a teaching artist, show director, vice president and director of CTSMD’s International Thespian Society Troupe.
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit has had five main stage productions since it began in 2021. Cross has directed three of those shows, which include A Christmas Story The Musical (2022), Beauty and the Beast (2023) and High School Musical On Stage (2024). She was the assistant director for another show, The Addams Family (2023). She has also directed two summer camp shows, which include Newsies Jr. (2022) and Once on this Island Jr. (2023).
Cross, a Huntingtown resident, teaches several acting classes, as well as workshops on improv, auditioning and puppetry.
“If your dream job doesn’t make you want to burst into song, you need to hustle and find one that does,” Cross said.
And Cross certainly has found that job that makes her burst into song, as her students and performers can attest.
Prior to joining CTSMD, Cross was a teaching artist for Annapolis-based Talent Machine, as well as a performer across the world, most recently in New York City.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Aly in this role,” CTSMD President Lara Reisman said. “She has been integral to developing our artistic vision for almost the entire time our theatre has existed. She brings integrity, passion and invaluable experience to this role for our community.”
Cross is set to direct Legally Blonde Jr. in June, which is one of two summer camp shows in 2024. She was also named as the director for CTSMD’s fall show, Sweeney Todd, this November.
Legally Blonde Jr. will be performed on Friday, June 28, at 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 29, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Performances will be held at St. Nicholas Lutheran Church, located at 1450 Plum Point Rd Huntingtown, MD 20639.
Tickets can be found by visiting: https://childrenstheatreofsouthernmaryland.ludus.com/200447880
Auditions for Sweeney Todd will be held on Sunday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 11, both from 1-5 p.m. with performances being Nov. 15, 16, 22 and 23, More information will be available soon.
The second of two award-winning camps is Seussical Jr., which will also host performances at St. Nicholas Lutheran Church. Show dates are Friday, July 19 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tickets for Seussical Jr. can be found by visiting: https://childrenstheatreofsouthernmaryland.ludus.com/200447881
