Volunteer Spotlight – Charles Lamb

Interviewed by MaryAnn Lyons

Volunteer Spotlight s a monthly feature where we highlight an Academy Theatre volunteer. This month’s volunteer is Charles Lamb.

Question: What is your role at The Academy Theatre?

Answer: I am the Creative Projects Coordinator.

Question: How long have you been in this role?

Answer: I have been in this role for a little over a year.

Pictured: David Schweidt (left) and Charles Lamb (right) rehearse a scene from Madder Than a Box of Frogs in 2023.

Question: Tell us how you discovered The Academy Theatre.

Answer: My wife, Juliette, was looking for something for us to do a few years ago, and she stumbled upon the adult theatre program. She asked if I wanted to try it. I said yes, and we’ve been here ever since. I believe I’m on my fourth play with [the upcoming] Virgil Wins the Lottery.

Question: Have you acted in any plays at the Academy Theatre? What about other performances such as the Haunted Pirate Ship or a comedy show?

Answer: I’ve done about four plays, volunteered at events throughout the years, helped with random projects around the theater, and run the Haunted Pirate Ship event.

Pictured, left to right: Andy Bateman, Donna Kevan, Charles Lamb, Juliette Vallender, August Butler, Angela Esquivel, Seth Roesner, and Maria Alaniz, performing in the play You Are Your Own Worst Enemy in 2024.

Question: What is your favorite recurring event at The Academy Theatre? For example, bingo, youth vocal shows, adult plays, Cinesylum, etc.

Answer: It’s hard to say what my favorite event is. It’s probably a toss-up between the Adult Drama Program (ADP) and the Haunted Pirate Ship, but I am really enjoying the Movie Madness Weekends.

Question: What is your favorite memory from The Academy Theatre?

Answer: My fondest memories are from rehearsing for the plays in the ADP and Director’s Troop.

Pictured, left to right: Kris Copeland, Brenda Cuellar Reza, Karen Todd, John Philbin, Donna Kevan, and Charles Lamb in a Reader’s Theatre performance of The Old People Are Revolting in 2025.

Thank you, Charles, for all you do for The Academy Theatre!