Wendy Belden, Playwright
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
Release Date: 01/15/2026
Stevie Ramirez, Actor/Improviser
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
What an interesting conversation we had with Actor and Improviser Stevie Ramirez. Find out how they got into improv and acting, insight into how one performs improv, tips on succeeding as an improv team, and their upcoming role in the inaugural and immersive production "Close Quarters" at the Phantom Lamp Theatre Company - a production that blends theater and improv. Also, get all the information on Joyride Improv, upcoming workshops, how to sign up, benefits of learning and practicing improv, and details about the May 2026 Asheville Improv Festival, including how to participate.
info_outline
Wendy Belden, Playwright
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
We are excited for the 2026 "Behind the Curtains" podcast episodes and have some exciting guests lined up. Starting us off is Playwright Wendy Belden who chatted with us about her transition from being on the stage to writing what we hear from the stage, types of plays she tends to write, her unique process for completing new works, and one specific play that really impacted her. Also get details about her show "Higher Ground" - written after the Helene Hurricane, her newest play entitled "The Blood Census" (which features two bowls of blood), and information on a February 26 reading of the...
info_outline
Jeff Catanese, Asheville Theater Alliance
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
Jeff Catanese, one of the founders of the Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA), returned to the show to discuss a very exciting and lucrative audition opportunity for its members - the Asheville Regional Theater Auditions (ARTA) being held on January 31 and February 1. This will provide a unique opportunity for actors, dancers, ensembles, swings, technical professionals and even volunteers/ushers to audition in one place in front of over 10 (and still counting) theater organization directors and decisionmakers. Get all the details of how to register, as well as how to sign up to become an ATA...
info_outline
Michelle Troszak, Skysail Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
What an interesting interview we had with the founder of Skysail Theatre Michelle Troszak. Hear how she got into the theater industry, her vast set of performing arts skills and expertise, where her musicals have been presented, and how she writes and composes the shows and songs. Also learn about her theater company Skysail Theatre, why she founded the organization, its mission, how she came up with the name, goals for the theater and details about some upcoming productions, including several Fringe festivals.
info_outline
Amanda McLoughlin, Hendersonville Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
There is a lot of exciting stuff happening at the Hendersonville Theatre and we got all the scoop from Business Manager Amanda McLoughlin. She briefed us on the new leadership team and business model at the theater, outlined the responsibilities for all three principals, and updated us about some of their goals for the organization. Amanda then gave us all the details about the remaining shows in the 2025 season, the announcement about their 59 1/2 season for the first six months of 2026, subscription packages for that season, how they choose which shows to present, information about their...
info_outline
Gabby Bailey, Actor/Director
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
We sat down with actor and director Gabby Bailey for a wide-ranging interview on theater in Western North Carolina. We began with stories about her career, her unique introduction to the industry, her experience as a fight choreographer and details about the Montford Park Players Fight Club classes. Then we transitioned to the upcoming production of "The Thanksgiving Play" being presented by the Attic Salt Theatre Company which also is her debut as a lead director. Get all the details about the show, information on the playwright and cast, her thoughts on the theme of the show as an indigenous...
info_outline
Emily Greene, Actor
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
We sat down with actor Emily Greene to talk theater. First we learned what brought her back to the stage after a 10-year hiatus, what it felt like to be back in the business, roles she likes to portray, characters on her bucket list, and some changes she has seen in the theater world. Then hear all the details about "The Thanksgiving Play" being presented by Attic Salt Theatre Company, which character she portrays, the underlying theme behind all the farce and comedy, and info on her fellow actors.
info_outline
Abby Auman, Technical Director
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
Is Asheville getting a new theater company? YES! Get all the details from our interview with Abby Auman, Technical Director of the Asheville Community Theatre (ACT) and one of the founding members of the new theater. First learn about her background, her role as a technical director, two upcoming shows at ACT, and her surprising entrance to the lighting design arena. Also hear about a "funeral" event being held for the Magnetic Theatre (inclduing the acting out of scenes from some favorite shows by previous company members), and the launch of a brand new theater company - Phantom Lamp Theatre...
info_outline
Candice Dickinson, HART Theatre
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
We had so much fun catching up with Candice Dickinson, Artistic Director of the HART Theatre in Waynesville. Find out how it felt for her to be back on stage when she played Reno in "Anything Goes" and whether we might see her again on stage in 2026. Then get all the details about the rest of their 2025 season, including "Lizzie" (the rock musical) and two Christmas shows. Candice then walks us through their 2026 season whose theme is comedy and making us laugh, various subscription packages, audition information and dates, and classes and camps being offered. And hear a teaser about a REALLY...
info_outline
Chris Corl, Asheville Department of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities (CREF)
Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) "Behind the Curtains" Weekly Podcast
Is Asheville going to get a new performing arts center? Find out the back story and more by listening to our interview with the Director of the Asheville Department of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities (CREF) Chris Corl. First we found out what CREF does for Asheville, its citizens and tourists. Then we jumped right in to a discussion about a very exciting prospective initiative of a large performing arts center being built in downtown Asheville following the formal establishment of a public-private partnership for the development of this facility. Chris talked in detail about...
info_outlineWe are excited for the 2026 "Behind the Curtains" podcast episodes and have some exciting guests lined up. Starting us off is Playwright Wendy Belden who chatted with us about her transition from being on the stage to writing what we hear from the stage, types of plays she tends to write, her unique process for completing new works, and one specific play that really impacted her. Also get details about her show "Higher Ground" - written after the Helene Hurricane, her newest play entitled "The Blood Census" (which features two bowls of blood), and information on a February 26 reading of the latter play at the Little Animals Gallery. And what U.S. Senator is she intrigued by and who might be featured in a future play?