About
The GLAM Framework — Guiding. Leading. Affirming. Mentoring.
Built for educational theatre. Backed by industry. Owned by Creative Stages, LLC.
The framework
Four pillars, one program
Glamies is built on a simple promise — guide programs, lead with structure, affirm students, and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
Guiding
We guide programs to grow, improve, and celebrate student work together.
Leading
We lead with structure — clear rubrics, trained reviewers, and industry adjudication.
Affirming
We affirm every student artist with recognition that is earned and public.
Mentoring
We connect students to working professionals who mentor the next generation.
Mission
Why Glamies exists
We gather, lead, affirm, and mentor students in the arts — providing professional and educational theatre enrichment for secondary programs. We create elevated theatrical experiences for students attending each other's shows, guide programs to grow and celebrate one another's successes, and cap each year with a celebratory program that builds camaraderie across theatre communities.
Ownership
Who owns and operates Glamies
The Glamies Program is developed and owned by Creative Stages, LLC — a Virginia-based performing arts education company. Schools, after-school programs, and community arts organizations become Glamies members to deliver structured arts mentorship under the GLAM framework.
Founded and led by Addie Schafer Benko, Creative Stages, LLC develops and owns The Glamies Program™ alongside its pre-professional training and live-event production work.
Read more at creativestages.pro →Origin
From the Blue Ridge Valley to a membership program
Glamies began as the Blue Ridge Glamies — a pilot chapter recognizing student theatre across local programs. It has grown into a structured program any school or community can join, while local chapters keep the community spirit that started it.
Blue Ridge Glamies
Blue Ridge region of Virginia
The founding chapter — piloted the GLAM framework for a full season before the program opened to membership.
Fauquier/Gainesville Glamies
Fauquier & Gainesville area, Virginia
The second chapter — extending the same season structure to a new community of schools.
2025–2026
This season's participating schools
Blue Ridge Glamies — Season 2 — this season's roster will be announced soon.