About Charlotte Center for the Arts
Imagine a place where artists thrive, creativity flourishes, and the community unites through the power of the arts. Charlotte Center for the Arts is building an accessible and affordable hub in South Charlotte, designed to break down barriers for performers and visual artists.
With dedicated spaces for rehearsals, performances, exhibitions, and education, we are fostering a cultural movement that ensures every artist has a stage and every patron has a seat.
By partnering with developers, city leaders, and passionate supporters, we’re shaping the future of Charlotte’s arts scene—one that is inclusive, vibrant, and transformative. Join us in making this vision a reality—because when the arts thrive, our entire community rises.
Our Mission
Charlotte Center for the Arts is dedicated to creating an accessible and affordable hub that fosters performance, exhibition, and education, breaking down barriers for artists and audiences while building a vibrant, collaborative arts community that positions South Charlotte as a premier cultural destination.
Our Core Values
Art Without Barriers
We champion accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity, ensuring that artists and audiences alike can create, connect, and experience the arts without limitations.
Community-Fueled Creativity
We believe the arts thrive through collaboration, education, and shared experiences, uniting artists, educators, and patrons to inspire and uplift Charlotte’s cultural landscape.
Innovation with Impact
We embrace bold ideas and forward-thinking artistry, fostering a space where creativity flourishes, opportunities expand, and Charlotte becomes a premier destination for the arts.
Board of Directors
Mitchell Dudas
President | Founding Member
Sennebogen, LLC
Mitchell is presently the Chief Financial Officer for Sennebogen, LLC. He attended New York University for his undergraduate degree in Music, and spent several years as a touring performer with Broadway shows. Mitchell then attended UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Business School to pursue a Master’s degree in Finance and has spent most of his post graduate career managing finance for manufacturing companies. He is excited to have the opportunity to blend his passions together in the Charlotte Center for the Arts. He currently resides in Waxhaw with his husband Taylor.
Jeanine Qasim
Treasurer | Founding Member
Capital One
Jeanine is an Executive in the Commercial Bank at Capital One. After graduating from the University at Buffalo with a minor in Theatre, she relocated to Charlotte to start her career in Banking. She worked at Wells Fargo and Bank of America before transitioning to Capital One in 2024. Jeanine also earned an MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Jeanine resides in South Charlotte with her husband, Naeem, and their 2 children. In addition to theater and music, their family enjoys traveling, basketball and trying new restaurants. Jeanine plays piano and viola and loves to sing!
Julia Zilke
Vice-President | Founding Member
Julia has been involved with Charlotte Center for the Arts since its inception in November 2023. Originally from NJ, her interest in the built environment brought her to Virginia Tech to pursue her BS in Civil Engineering, after which she worked as a Professional Engineer doing land development design in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Combining those interests with her passion for the arts, which was cultivated from a young age, Julia was led to initiate and pursue the ambitious project of building an arts center in Charlotte, NC. Julia lives in South Charlotte with her husband, Josh, and their three daughters.
Bart Copeland
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
The majority of Bart’s career has been in education: 10 years as a teacher, now as a Data Manager for Northwest School of the Arts. He’s dabbled in photography, user research, and graphic design. When he’s not performing, he’s cultivating a love of theater with his family, in which his two kids have absolutely caught the performance bug, whether they asked for it or not. The Charlotte Center for the Arts will be a massive, magical gift to this community, and he could not be more excited to help make it happen.
Colleen LeBleu
Secretary | Founding Member
Lumi School of Musical Theatre
Colleen is the proprietor and artistic director of Lumi School of Musical Theatre. Following her graduation from KD Conservatory in Dallas, Texas, she cultivated her skills and performed professionally within the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. Colleen’s dedication to mentoring future generations in the arts, particularly her sons Theodore and Milo, is truly inspiring.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee plays crucial role in guiding the direction of Charlotte Center for the Arts. Through their leadership and active involvement in our mission, these individuals advocate and advise the Board as they make informed and strategic decisions.
Toni Branner
Theatre Parent / Health Made Simple / Performance Wellness Consultant
Facebook: Toni Tickel Branner
IG: @tonibranner
Shefalee V. Patel
Artist, Dancer, Community Connector
Facebook: Cultural Connections by Shefalee
IG: @artshefalee
Heidi Weatherspoon, MPA, CFRE
Associate Director of Development, UNC Charlotte
LinkedIn: Heidi Weatherspoon
Our Partners
Charlotte Center for the Arts works with companies and other organizations to make the vision of an arts hub in South Charlotte a reality. Our partners contribute more than money. Their ideas, time, in-kind support, and more are helping build a vibrant, collaborative arts community that positions South Charlotte as a premier cultural destination.
