The Remember Balloons Live!
on PBS
From the stage to the screen.
On June 20, 2026, The Remember Balloons Live! made its Akron premiere before a packed audience at E.J. Thomas Hall, bringing the beloved children's story to life in an extraordinary evening of dance, music, and storytelling.
Now, that unforgettable performance is making its way to audiences across Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Filmed by Nel Shelby Productions, with film direction by Nel Shelby, this special production captures the magic of live theater on an entirely new scale. Featuring five dancers and 19 live musicians, The Remember Balloons Live! PBS Special brings together the power of movement, the richness of live orchestral music, and the emotional depth of a story about family, memory, and the things we hold onto.
Beginning November 20, 2026, The Remember Balloons Live! will air on PBS Western Reserve with further production will begin airing on PBS Ideastream in January 2027, with additional opportunities to watch through the local PBS app.
Credits
Creative Team
Ashley Moore-Dunson, Executive Producer
Dominic Moore-Dunson, Executive Producer, Director/Choreographer
Theron Brown, Composer/Arranger
Joe Leaman, Music Director
Ephraim Miller, Music Copyist
Scott Leathers, Lighting & Set Designer
Wiliam Odom, Projection Designer
Sam Lowry, Projection Designers
Inda Blatch-Geib, Costume Designer
Musicians (*featured soloist)
Joe Leaman, Keys
Andru Dennis, Auxiliary Keys
Dan Bruce, Electric Guitar/Banjo
*Zaire Darden, Drums
*Chris Anderson, Trombone
*Tommy Lehman, Trumpet
Kevin Martinez, Jazz Bass/Electric Bass
*Chris Coles, Alto Saxophone
*Brad Wagner, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Kyrice Brunson, Baritone Saxophone
Ben Bunting, Tuba
Dancers/Actors
Dominic Moore-Dunson, Grandpa
Larry White Jr., James
Morgan Joanna Grube, Mom
Kevin Parker Jr., Dad
Stephanie Roston, Young/Old Grandma
Musicians (*featured soloist)
Andrea Belding, Violin
Susan Britton, Violin
Ann Yu, Violin
Amber Rogers, Viola
James Rhodes, Viola
David Ellis, Cello
*Derek Snyder, Cello
Sue Yelanjian, Orchestral Bass
Production Team
Scott Leathers, Production Manager
Deb Climo, Stage Manager/Company Manager
Coleton Wood Blaisdell, Assistant Lighting Designer
Stephanie Roston, Music Logistics Coordinator
Ben Patrick & Akron Recording Company, Recording Engineer
ACKNOWLEGMENTS
The creation of the original “The Remember Balloons” tour show is generously made possible by:
The Alden at The McLean Community Center (McLean, VA), Manship Theatre (Baton Rouge, LA), WYO Theater (Sheridan, WY), Center for Performing Arts (University Park, IL), Des Moines Performing Arts (Des Moines, IA), Cleveland Playhouse Square (Cleveland, OH).
The Remember Balloons Live! is presented through special arrangement with Jessie Oliveros and Dana Wulkekotte.
Based on The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros
Illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
“THE REMEMBER BALLOONS ©2018 by Jessie Oliveros and Dana Wulfekotte.
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved. Used
with permission.”
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