Diversity and Cultural Equity Series - BIPOC Voice Natalie Graves Tucker
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
Release Date: 10/06/2020
Jeff Catanese and Rose Pillmore Discuss Non-Profit Asheville Theater Alliance
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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 theater industry, background on the Attic Salt Theatre Company, and how supporters and patrons can help performing arts groups which have been hit so hard by the pandemic and recent hurricane in Western...
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"Behind the Curtain" Education Series - Scenic Designer Julie K. Ross
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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.
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"Behind the Curtain" Education Series - Lighting and Visual Media Designer CJ Barnwell
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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 important.
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"Behind the Curtain" Education Series - Technical Theater and Props Professional Sylvia J. Pierce
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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 and some very entertaining stories about her experiences working with CNN, Eurovision and SNL.
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"Behind the Curtain" Education Series - Sound Designer Bailey Gafeney
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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 about some positive changes she has seen in the industry so far in her career.
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"Behind the Curtain" Education Series - Costume Designer Casey Watkins
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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.
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Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
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 issues in our nation. According to Antonio, these plays mirror exactly where we are today and the fact that people must remember this story so it cannot be repeated. His final thoughts: "You can't get...
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Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Reginald Douglas, Artistic Director
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 3: Reginald Douglas, Artistic Director is honored and thrilled to be presenting this trilogy of plays during his first season as Artistic Director. He expresses his strong belief that the theater industry plays a big role in spurring audience members to become active and energized about combating racial injustice. "I do think that art is action. It sparks dialogue about our community, makes people think and to take action." He stresses also that this series of plays centers on love and...
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Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Talvin Wilks, DIrector
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keeping the Conversation Going - Episode 2: Talvin Wilks, Director talks about how important this series of plays is to understand the significant impact of the Emmett Till murder in our nation's history. He also expounds on the importance of the media in bringing visibility to the injustices of racism, but questions "why does it take an image to gain people's attention?" Also hear his hopes about what audiences will say about the production series and how the theater industry helps spur and continue these critical discussions.
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Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice Education Series - Ifa Bayeza Playwright
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) Weekly Podcast
Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 1: Ifa Bayeza, Playwright wrote this series of plays to “celebrate the joy and majesty of this family.” She summarizes each of the three plays, what she wanted to focus on for each and tells us about some interesting factoids she found out about Emmett during her research. Ms. Bayeza also discusses her hopes for how audiences will respond after seeing the shows. “I challenge our contemporary audiences to think about what we are going to do. If the Till saga was the spark of the Civil...
info_outlineNatalie Graves Tucker, CEO of the multicultural marketing firm NGT Consulting and Founder of Blackstage DC offers another BIPOC voice in our Diversity series. Citing major marketing disconnects and primarily white audiences, Natalie points to several changes that need to be made, with transparency in hiring and season planning topping the list. She also talks about the work of the Black Artists Coalition that aims to work with theaters in DC to think outside the box with respect to casting decisions, assisting with season planning, offering education and cultural sensitivity programs and workshops and many other initiatives to make the industry more equitable. Her uplifting thoughts: "I'm hopeful that theaters will take this time with no productions to actually learn from what they are saying (with their statements of support) and move forward in a positive direction."