Directed by Kali Boston Music Directed by Erin Vanderhyde-Gross Choreography by Kara Mack
Performances: June 5th – July 19th, 2026
Previews: June 5th – 12th, 2026
Opening Night: June 13th, 2026
Dea Hurston Industry Night: July 6th, 2026
Carlsbad, CA – New Village Arts (NVA) invites audiences to Baltimore’s boldest corner of the 1960s with HAIRSPRAY, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical that proves one voice can spark a movement. As the largest production in NVA’s history, this vibrant, high-energy staging raises the bar for what’s possible on the Ray Charles Stage. Bursting with infectious rhythms, vibrant characters, and a whole lot of heart, this high-energy production celebrates the power of inclusion, individuality, and standing up for what’s right, even when the odds are stacked sky-high. Performances on the Ray Charles Stage will run JUNE 5 through JULY 19, 2026 at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center in Carlsbad Village. Previews are June 5th through 12th, with an Opening Night champagne reception and Handel’s Ice Cream on SATURDAY, JUNE 13th. Dea Hurston Industry Night will be held on Monday, July 6th.
Set in 1962 Baltimore, HAIRSPRAY follows the unstoppable Tracy Turnblad, a big-hearted teen with big dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” When Tracy lands a spot on the program, she becomes an overnight sensation, and quickly realizes she can use her newfound platform to challenge racial segregation and redefine beauty standards. Packed with beloved songs like “Good Morning Baltimore,” “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and “I Know Where I’ve Been,” Hairspray is a high-octane musical comedy that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. Beneath its infectious joy and humor lies a powerful message about inclusion, equity, and the importance of using your voice, making it as relevant today as ever.
Led by a dynamic trio of artists, this production of HAIRSPRAY brings together bold vision, musical precision, and high-energy movement. KALI BOSTON makes her professional directorial debut, shaping the production with a fresh perspective, rooted in her leadership as Artistic Producer at New Village Arts. Music Director ERIN VANDERHYDE-GROSS returns to NVA following her work earlier this season on [title of show], among others. NVA welcomes choreographer KARA MACK to the creative team, contributing an expansive background that spans film, television, and live performance, including work on Coming 2 America, the 2023 The Color Purple movie, collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance the Rapper, and teaching at UC San Diego. Together, this creative team will mold HAIRSPRAY with contemporary energy, cultural depth, and a vibrant theatricality that reimagines the beloved musical for today’s audiences.
“Hairspray is often remembered for its joy and spectacle, but at its core it’s about disruption, about young people challenging the systems they’ve inherited. For this production, we’re leaning into that urgency while fully embracing the show’s theatricality. The audience becomes part of the Corny Collins Show, creating a live, electric environment where the lines between performer and spectator begin to blur. As New Village Arts celebrates its 25th Anniversary on the Ray Charles Stage, it feels especially meaningful to tell a story about visibility, community, and who gets to take up space. I’m excited to bring a bold, immersive, and unapologetically vibrant Hairspray to Carlsbad.” says Kali Boston, Director.
Bringing the vibrant world to life is an accomplished and collaborative design and production team. Scenic and Projections Designer JESUS HURTADO* (Dea Hurston Professional Fellow) leads the visual storytelling, alongside Props Designer JAEONNIE DAVIS-CRAWFORD and Costume Designer MARICELA ALANIZ, whose work helps define the show’s bold style and period. AMBER ST. JAMES (Make-up & Wig Designer) and SALISHA CARR** (Lighting Designer and Dea Hurston College Fellow) further shape the onstage aesthetic, while MAHLICK CEESAY (Sound Designer) and MARCUS RICO (Audio Engineer) create the dynamic soundscape. The production is stage managed by KATE VYDOS with assistant stage manager EMMA GARCIA+ (Phifer-Collins Stage Management Fellow), ensuring a seamless experience for all. Supporting the team are BIL WRIGHT (Cultural Consultant), SARAH SOLANGA (Intimacy Coordinator), MARYKATE REEVES HOCHE (Costume Assistant), JACOB ALBA ALVAREZ (Rehearsal Accompanist), ZACHARY ELLIOT (Scenic Painter), and CHRIS RENDA (Master Carpenter).
New Village Arts is thrilled to welcome 23 NVA acting debuts. Leading the cast is LINSEY SCHRECK as the unstoppable Tracy Turnblad, alongside LUXE THE DRAG QUEEN as Edna Turnblad and DENNIS PETERS as Corny Collins. ALYSSA ANNE SCHECHTER takes on Velma VonTussel, with MIKAYLA KELLEY as Amber VonTussel. As heartthrob Link Larkin, NVA welcomes MAX LEADLEY and as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton, we welcome IRELYNN TERRANAMI. EBONI MUSE (THE COLOR PURPLE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, RENT) brings powerhouse vocals to Motormouth Maybelle, joined by ALEXANDER BROWN as Seaweed J. Stubbs and KEANNA PYE** (Dea Hurston College Fellow) as Little Inez. The Dynamites: NIKKI ANTOINE, XANTIA GRANT, and DESTINY DENNY, will add electric energy. MAX CADILLAC (Wilbur Turnblad & Others) and JONNI GARRO (Prudy Pingleton & Others) round out the principal cast. A vibrant ensemble including SANDY CAMERON, IDA JACKSON, WES JENSEN, AARON REAVES** (Dea Hurston College Fellow), JACK STUHLEY, and LASHAWN WARE helps bring 1960s Baltimore to life. CHLOE CHENFELD, ISABELLA FERNANDES^ (NVA College Acting Apprentice), SHANNON GERRITY, AIDEN MEYNDERT, and AARIN WILSON are swings for the production.
“‘Hairspray’ was one of the cornerstones of my childhood as I would just watch it all the time, and its message feels just as poignant and relevant today. I feel incredibly honored to be part of this amazing cast. Stepping into Tracy’s shoes has felt so empowering because she leads with her heart and unwavering determination. I truly admire Tracy’s confidence and allyship; we could all use a little more of both, so I aspire to carry that with me onstage and off.” says Linsey Schreck (Tracy Turnblad).
“Stepping into this show is really a full circle moment for me personally. I saw this musical very young and grew up clutching it to my chest as I dove head first into a love of theater and musicals that carried me through my college years. In college I got into drag and embraced my full queer self, and because of the liberation and joy that radiates from drag I drifted from the stage but certainly never forgot it. Being gay and a drag queen that is also plus size comes with its own multitude of complexities both challenging and heartwarming; but, it also brought me to love myself as I am. Really nothing will show you everything to know about yourself like some tight spanks! But even when the make-up and the sparkles come off some days are a challenge. Recently a friend, very openly and honestly, reminded me how beautiful I am – and it struck so deep that the tears washed every scar and regret into the depths of my mind. It makes me think of Edna and Wilbur’s love and how it transcends physique and surface level petty-nonsense no matter someone’s size, gender, race, sexuality, age, or presentation.
Plus, a show about love and uniting in the face of adversity is so important now more than ever. For this show to come around at this time in my life feels like lightning striking. I feel like the little boy white knuckling that Hairspray ticket and I – the glamour-rot gourdalicous sparkling goblin that I am – for a brief flicker in time are looking directly at each other. Healing, loving, celebrating real love and self-acceptance; all while laughing and signing. I can’t wait for everyone to join us and do the same. To see this amazing cast and celebrate with us!” – says LUXE The Drag Queen (Edna Turnbald)
As the grand finale of NVA’s 24th Season, HAIRSPRAY welcomes audiences to celebrate not only the legacy of this beloved musical, but also the vibrant, inclusive community that New Village Arts has built over the past quarter century.
Book by Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell – Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Watersyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman Based
Dates & Location
Previews: June 5-12, 2026
Opening Night: June 13, 2026 Dea Hurston Industry Night: July 6, 2026 June 5-July 19, 2026
Ray Charles Stage in the Conrad Prebys Theatre
at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center
2787 State Street, Carlsbad CA 92008
Performance Days and Times
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30pm
Tickets and Subscriptions
Subscriptions for the season range from $135 to $342, with 3, 4, and 5-Show Subscriptions available. Single tickets range from $30 to $70 for plays and $35 to $80 for musicals. Tickets are now available online or through our Box Office.
About New Village Arts … Celebrating 25 years of award-winning professional theatre and thriving education and outreach programs, New Village Arts (NVA) has truly become the cultural hub of North County San Diego. NVA attracts more than 30,000 patrons each year to experience professional theatre, music and art events in the heart of Carlsbad Village. In addition to full seasons of plays and musicals featuring some of the best artistic talent in Southern California, NVA hosts talkback discussions and other supplementary events designed to create conversation and cultivate community. The White Family Next Stage in the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center presents a series of music, comedy, and improv events throughout the year. NVA offers robust theatre programs in partnership with local schools and strongly believes that theatre and arts experiences should be accessible to all people, becoming a recognized leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion in San Diego. NVA has been fortunate to receive support from the City of Carlsbad and other local businesses, who recognize the importance of a resident professional theatre company as a crucial component of an inclusive and creative community. In turn NVA prioritizes serving its community by presenting works that respect its diversity, engaging every citizen with relevant and inspiring stories.
New Village Arts, Inc.
2787 State Street, Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-433-3245 www.newvillagearts.org
