Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast

The Founder of Superhappy Productions Adam Arthur was the latest guest on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast being produced by the Asheville Theater Alliance. Hear about his background as an actor, why he founded Superhappy Productions, what the company is all about and its bizarre evolution through the years that started as a live radio show, and how The Match Game influenced its development. Also...

The Managing Artistic Director of the South Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) joined us on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast to update us on their exciting 51st season. Get all the details about the mission of SART, the organization's goal of creating opportunities for local artists, how at least one show each season highlights Appalcahia in some way, how they choose plays each season, all the...

Actor Alan Steele was the latest guest on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast being sponsored by the Asheville Theater Alliance. We had a wide-ranging discussion that covered his unique foray into acting, some of his very "off the wall" acting experiences, and why he is drawn to Shakespeare roles. Also hear about his appearnace in "The Book of Will" written by Lauren Gunderson that is being presente...

Actor and Director Julie Wharton joined us on the Asheville Theater Alliance's podcast show "Behind the Curtains" to talk about her career and upcoming production. Find out how she ended up in the theater industry, some amazing adventures she had overseas in unique theater projects and what types of plays she likes to especially direct. Also get all the details about her upcoming production of "RE...

The Executive Director of the Montford Park Players John Russell was our latest podcast guest. We chatted about his long and impressive career in theater and Shakespeare industry,  the interesting history of the Montford Park Players, how the theater has grown and evolved over the years, a typical night at the amphitheater, and several distinctive awards and accolades the venue has received. Also...

Director and Acting Coach John Reynolds was the guest on "Behind the Curtains" to tell us about the many services he provides as an acting coach. Also hear about his long and impressive career in the performing arts world, his insight into directing all genres (film, television and theater), and the one he appreciates the most as a director. Get all the scoop on his upcoming workshop for storytell...

The Co-Founder of Double Dip Productions, and Improv Artist George Awad entertained us on the latest "Behind the Curtains" prodcast produced by the Asheville Theater Alliance. Hear how he became interested and then immersed in improv, and his insight into the qualities needed to be an effective improv performer. Also learn about his company Double Dip Productions, events that they are presenting,...

We were very honored to interview Esther Manheimer, the Mayor of Asheville in a multi-faceted discussion about the state of the arts in Asheville. Hear about her work on the Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee and how she is bringing the arts to the forefront of the rebuilding efforts. Also learn about a possible $1 billion+ that could be flowing into Asheville, the opportunity fo...

We learned so much about the art of storytelling from Connie Regan-Blake in our latest "Behind the Curtains" podcast episode. Obtain more insight into this unique craft, and hear about her unique journey into the field, her experiences with storytelling guru Ray Hicks, her emotional story about her time in Uganda helping women, and her favorite Adam Sandler tale. Also get details about her company...

The Producing Artistic Director of The Sublime Theater Steven Samuels (who also is a playwright) engaged us in a critical discussion about the importance of presenting new works. Find out about his impressive career in the theater industry that spanned from New York City to DC to Asheville and seeral stops in between, as well as why he is so passionate about getting new works presented on stage an...

New playwright James Robertson is sending a show to the Asheville Fringe Festival. He gives us all the details about his show - "Planet Girth" - as well as how he loops into the play his commitment to the environment and climate. Also hear about his unique entree into the playwrighting arena and what very surprising materials he uses in his artwork. And for first-time patrons of the Fringe Festiva...

Storyteller Cory Howard was the latest guest on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast. Find out how he got into the storytelling industry, details about his show "Campfireball,' why storytelling is popular in Western North Carolina, his unique approach to getting the audience members involved in his shows, and how his events actually help these patrons. Also learn about his show ""The Dead Man" being...

Opera singer, voice instructor and actor Michaela Wright was the latest guest on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast. Find out how she ended up in the theater and opera world and hear really good insight into her direct experience with the health benefits of music and singing, as well as her upcoming work at a free theater camp for medically vulnerable students. Also get the details about some of he...

We had such an interesting conversation with Theatre Artist Dakota Mann about a multifaceted et of topics. Find out how he got into the theater industry, his views on watching movies of plays before directing/acting in the production, some interesting roles he has had in the past and his isight into the health of the Western North Carolina theater industry. Also get all the details about "Life Suc...

We welcomed to the "Behind the Curtains" podcast Laura Rikard, an intimacy choreographer/coordinator, director and actor. Laura provided a lot of insight into the intimacy profession, a history of how it has evolved over the years and came to the forefront after the MeToo Movement, what exactly these professionals do for the theater and movie industries (and how they differ from fight choreographe...

The Montford Moppets' Executive Director Rachel Cort and Artistic Director Ashleigh Goff were the latest guests on the "Behind the Curtains" weekly podcast. Find out what the impetus was behind the founding of the Moppets, what is the organization's mission, how the programs help the students health-wise, and how its classes have evolved over the past 19 years. Also get all the details about their...

The Artistic Director of the HART Theatre in WAynvesville Candice Dickinson came on the show to talk about their many diverse productions being offered this year from the main stage (7 productions all with strong female leads), studio season, cabarets and academy events (the education program) all being performed in their three venue spaces. Also learn about their unique audition process this year...

The Managing Artistic Director of the Hendersonville Theater appeared as a guest on the "Behind the Curtains" to update us on everything happening at the theater, information on the upcoming season of plays, concerts, play readings and subscription packages, how the theater uniquely supports new works, and how she ended up in the theater industry. Also get all the details about their upcoming prod...

The Co-Founders of the non-profit organization Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) joined us to talk about how the ATA came about, its mission and vision, goals for the near future, membership benefits (including matching arts professionals with performing arts organization decisionmakers), and its very unique and user-friendly Calendar of Events. Also learn about how each of them ended up in the the...

Scenic Designer Julie K. Ross appeared as part of our education series about the professionals not on stage that are critical to bringing a show to the stage. Hear what a Scenic Designer does, how she ended up in this career, how the profession has changed (and where projections fit in), and a prop that manh times ends up on her sets as an inside joke.

This episode provides the insid scoop on lighting and visual media design from CJ Barnwell. Find out how he ended up in this field, his process for designing, what exactly a lighting/visual media designer does and some challenges he has faced in the past. Also find out how the profession has evolved and changed over the years, as well as why the relatively new visual media component has become so...

Technical Theater professional Sylvia J. Pierce appeared as a guest as part of our "behind the curtain" magic that makes a theatrical production happen. She enlightens us about what exactly a technical theater professional is responsible for, with particular insight into a props manager, how she got into the industry, what dramatic changes she has seen in the technical field over the last 46 years...

Continuing with our "behind the curtain" chats with those theatrical professionals who make theater happen backstage, we welcomed to the show Sound Designer Bailey Gafeney. Find out what exactly a sound designer is responsible for, the tricks and insight into "underscoring" a production, what is her process for designing sound and some of the more challenging projects she has worked on. Also learn...

Costume Designer Casey Watkins shared insight into what is involved with costumes and wardrobes in a theatrical production. Learn what she is responsible for in a show, what is her process for designing costumes, how does she research period pieces and some interesting tricks about costume designs that directly influence an audience member's experience and feelings toward the characters.  

Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 3: Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor considers portraying Emmett Till in the upcoming Till Trilogy of play series an honor and a responsibility to humanize this young man. He also firmly believes that theater is always been a catalyst for change and spurring conversations about important social iss...