A Community Carol

A Community Carol

A Community Carol

Opening Night
December 17, 2020 | 7:30 PM

A recorded version will be available through Monday, December 21 at 7:30 pm.

Inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Collectively created with our Hartford community

On a quiet winter’s night, the cast of Hartford Stage’s annual A Christmas Carol has Zoomed together to read the famous story in honor of what would have been the 23rd season. But, as the spine of the book cracks open, the cold wind sweeps in, the lights flicker, the Wi-Fi is unstable and the spirits that haunt its pages guide us on a journey through a story we thought we knew so well.

Hartford Stage presents A Community Carol, a virtual storytelling experience adapted and directed by Rachel Alderman and created in partnership with our beloved returning Christmas Carol cast members, local artists, Hartford neighbors and area theater students.

Community Candle Lighting
Join us before the show at 7 pm for a community candle lighting ceremony! (Please note: The commemorative Community Carol candle is sold out, but you can still join us with your own candle!)

Important Info

Approximate Running Time
60 minutes

Recommended Age
Recommended for the entire family!

Raise the Curtain

Exclusive Presenting Sponsor:

Raytheon

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS

We are so grateful for the artistic exploration and creative contribution of over 80 individuals to this new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas CarolMany drafts and journeys helped us get to the creation of our final digital story 

Below are songs, videos and more for you to experience in their original format. Many of these have been incorporated into our final production, maybe existing as underscoring, a short burst of visual joy or a layered bit of holiday light.  

Please enjoy everyone’s artistry! Maybe it will inspire you to make something of your own. If you do, be sure to share it with us @hartfordstage #communitycarol 

Capital Community College and Hartt School Partnerships

Directing students at Capital Community College and acting students at the Hartt School spent time this autumn exploring themes, text and imagery present in A Christmas Carol. Many of their ideas, represented in videos here, informed creative decisions that were made in the building of our story and in the final edit of the virtual experience. 

Capital Community College –  Assignment Example: A one-minute composition inspired by a moment or a line in A Christmas Carol. 

Youth Ensemble Christmas Songs and Carols

Each year our young artists are the primary carolers of A Christmas Carol. This year, while they couldn’t sing together, they still were able to lend their voices to our production. 

Cast and Community Partners

As of 12/14/2020. Our community partners continue to grow!

A Christmas Carol Returning Ensemble

Vanessa R Butler*

Robert Hannon Davis*

Kenneth De Abrew*

Rebecka Jones*

Sarah Killough*

Shauna Miles*

John-Andrew Morrison*

Michael Preston*

Buzz Roddy*

Alan Rust*

Noble Shropshire*

Terrell Donnell Sledge*

With Performances by:

Devé-Ann Bennett

Dejé Bennett

Anne Cubberly

Malena Gordo

Barbara Karger

Destini Stewart

A Christmas Carol Youth Ensemble

The Hartt School

Capital Community College

Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus

Pedro Cirilo Coral

Marcelino Diaz Jr.

Marcelino Diaz III

Julio Diaz

Alejandro Mena

Nelson Mena

The Very Rev. Migeulina Howell and Jorge Pallares of Christ Church Cathedral

Revs. Heather & Cathy Rion Starr of the Unitarian Society of Hartford

Rabbi Donna Berman of Charter Oak Cultural Center




Youth Ensemble:

Emma Billings

Camden Bouley

Owen Bouley

Delia Canarie

Isabella Corica

Fred Faulkner

Damien Galvez

Samuel Grear

Addison Guarino

Maxwell Kerz

Michkael McKenzie

Ali McLarin

Ezra Mendes

Andrew Michaels

Princess-Larrine Moore

Alexander O’Brien

Benjamin O’Brien

Addison Pancoast

Shannen Penn

Meghan Pratt

Tessa Rosenfield

Fred Thornley IV

Ava Vercellone

RJ Vercellone

Anderson Wilder

Breakdancing Shakespeare Dancers:

Eileen Cannon

Brandon Couloute

Loren Milledge

Travis Wrotten

Capital Community College Students:

Krizzia Cruz

Vivi Florez

Ashley Morgan

Manny Moura

Kai Straughn

The Hartt School Ensemble:

Emma McKeen, Jarrett Cordeiro

Eddie Cruz, Jr.

Emily Dziob

Liam Gerard

Jack Robert Harding

Matthew Katsigianis

Rose Kortrey

Vilinda McGregor

Erin Proctor

William Reilly

Christopher Andrew Rowe

Dana Tortora

Creative Team

Adapter and Director
Rachel Alderman

Video Designer
Rasean Davonte Johnson

Sound Designer
Pornchanok Kanchanabanca

Assistant Director
Zoë Golub-Sass

Dramaturg
Sally Lobel

Videographer
Alonzo L. Beckett of NE Video

Audio/Visual Coordinator
Lucas Clopton

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.