With the APPlause! Series, Access to the Arts is not A Fairytale, but a Reality
by Molly Wells
BOONE, NC - The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance and The Hayes School of Music proudly present “Once Upon a Mattress," a musical based on the classic fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea” by Hans Christian Anderson, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. The two entities have partnered with the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series, to bring “Once Upon a Mattress” to a diverse audience of public, private and homeschool students in the High Country during the run of the production. The series strives to broaden and deepen arts experiences for students of all ages, ensuring access to the arts for young audiences, and inspiring a love of learning through creative platforms. APPlause! Performances are not open to the public.
K-12 students and teachers attend an Applause! performance at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
Every APPlause! Season offers affordable performances of music, dance, film, and theatre events for students and their teachers in K-12 classrooms across the region. Students experience everything from high-energy acrobatics and traditional Appalachian music, to international dance and literary classics brought to life through theatre. In recent seasons, more than 8,000 students across the region have attended APPlause! Events. Each participating class receives a study guide consisting of additional information and supplemental learning activities correlating to the performance they attend.
The APPlause! Series is curated by Christy Chenausky, Director of Arts Education and Outreach at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The 2025-26 APPlause! season has been generously supported by individual support from Jacqueline and Robert Brauser (in honor of Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer), Sue and Steve Chase, Christy and Brad Chenausky, Richard and Vicki Hammer, and Jeff Handler. Sustaining support for the series is offered by the Christine Petti Opportunity Fund. More information about the series and upcoming events can be found at https://schaefercenter.appstate.edu/applause/.
Doktor Kaboom, 2025
Chenausky states, “The APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series welcomes young students to campus to experience the magic and excitement of live performance. It is particularly meaningful to introduce our audiences to Appalachian State students studying theatre, dance, or music through these performances. Experiences like this give young people a glimpse of college life, and open the door to possibilities of future study and vocation. We are so proud to partner with our academic arts colleagues and place university students center stage on our series lineup.”
The regular run of “Once Upon a Mattress," open to the public, takes place in the state-of-the-art Valborg Theatre from April 15 – 19, 2026. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m. on the 15 - 18 and there is a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on the 19th. Student tickets are $10, Faculty/Staff tickets are $15 and adult tickets are $17. Tickets are available online through the department website, by phone (828) 262- 4046, and in person through the Schaefer Center for the Arts box office.
K-12 Children attend Doktor Kaboom, 2025
“Once Upon A Mattress,” is a vivacious musical comedy that follows the story of Prince Dauntless, who desperately wants to marry, but is prevented from doing so by his overbearing mother, Queen Aggravain. The Queen is insistent that any potential suitor pass a ridiculously difficult test. As a result, no princess has ever succeeded, and the entire kingdom is stuck in a state of marital limbo - no one may marry until the prince does. Everything changes when the unconventional and bold Princess Winnifred arrives at the castle. Determined to prove herself, Winnifred agrees to take the Queen’s most tedious test yet, sleeping on a towering stack of mattresses with a tiny pea hidden beneath them. Through humor, music, and heartfelt moments, “Once Upon a Mattress” brings a new life to a classic fairytale.
When reflecting on her experience at an Applause! show, Erin Flynn, a teacher at Green Valley Elementary School stated, “Very engaging for the students, the event held their interest while teaching them something that they could bring back to the classroom and use.”
APPlause! The Very Hungry Caterpillar 2019
In total, over 100 students are working on the production under faculty and staff leadership in positions spanning performance, music, costume crafts, lighting design, and set construction.
“Once Upon A Mattress” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Media Contacts
P.J. Wirchansky
828-262-7249
wirchanskypj@appstate.edu
Lisl Kuutti
828-262-4091
kuuttila@appstate.edu
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About the Department of Theatre and Dance
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the mission of the Department of Theatre and Dance is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative, and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community, and the region.
About the Hayes School of Music
The Hayes School of Music prepares musicians for professional lives as performers, music educators, music therapists, and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region, and nation. Noted for quality instruction offered by nationally and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate and two graduate-level degree programs. Beyond the classroom, the Hayes School of Music engages the wider community through Cannon Music Camp, the Community Music School, and a vibrant calendar of public performances. Explore more at music.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at cfaa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,795 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
Applause! Logo 2026
Applause! Logo 2026