Artistic Director Education Series - Eric Schaeffer, Signature Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
Release Date: 02/25/2020
Connie Regan-Blake, Storyteller
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 Story Window, workshops that she conducts, and an event happening at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
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Steven Samuels, The Sublime Theater
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 and his dream project for Asheville. Also get all the details about his own original play - "Death Comes to Play" - being presented at The Sublime Theater.
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James Robertson, Playwright, Asheville Fringe Festival
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 Festival, he offers some insightful advice and guidance.
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Cory Howard, Storyteller
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 presented at the Asheville Fringe Festival and what he would most love to hear audiences saying after the show.
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Michaela Wright, Opera Singer/Voice Instructor
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 her upcoming gigs, instruction classes she provides and her recommendations to patrons who are new to opera and how they can best enjoy these productions.
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Dakota Mann, Theatre Artist
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 Sucks" (which is based on Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya") which he is directing for the Hendersonville Theatre, what he would like to hear audience members talking about when leaving the theater, and teasters...
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Laura Rikard, Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE)
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 choreographers), and when these professionals shoud be hired. Also learn about her company - Theatrical Intimacy Education - and get details about the classes and workshops being offered over the next several...
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Rachel Cort, Executive Director and Ashleigh Goff, Artistic Director, The Montford Moppets
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 2025 productions, diverse classes being taught this year, and their exciting new Commedia dell'Arte class being offered. (And find out what Commedia dell'Arte is...)
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Candice Dickinson, Artistic Director, HART Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 (for those who hate auditions) for ensembles and technical opportuniies on Feb. 4. (Regular auditions are Feb. 2 and 3.) Finally get all the details about their subscription packages and summer...
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Victoria Lamberth, Managing Artistic Director, Hendersonville Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
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 production of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and how the onstage production was updated compared to the 1967 movie.
info_outlineSignature Theatre's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer was a featured guest on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast as part of our five-part "Artistic Directors STEAM Ahead" series starring the five most successful theaters in the DC region. What advice does Eric give young adults who want to open and manage a theater? What are some of the joys of running a theater? What is one priority he has when casting shows? And find out about two upcoming world premieres being presented by Signature. Honored to have had this opportunity to interview such a successful professional!