Make your evening shine with these rising stars! Celebrate the talents of over 100 young artists in a joyful night of theatrical performances benefitting the education programs of Flat Rock Playhouse. This virtual production will take you on a dazzling journey through musical theatre and acting features that are perfect for the whole family. Rising Stars: A Virtual Benefit Cabaret comes to your home, phone, or laptop on June 10 and 11 at 7 PM EST. This online production is recommended for kids ages 5 to 100.

Recorded on the Rock and at home, Rising Stars: A Virtual Benefit Cabaret has a run time of roughly one hour and is offered for a minimum donation of $5! “We’re so inspired by the dedication, resiliency, and creativity of our young artists this last year,” says Director of Education Anna Kimmell. “This benefit cabaret is a joyful opportunity to celebrate their work and talents as well as support a bright future for generations to come at Flat Rock Playhouse!”

Studio 52 began their virtual offerings in September 2020. Since then, Studio 52 has offered 25 virtual classes to over 300 students and has hosted three virtual workshops with experienced theatre professionals Adam Kaplan, Pytron Parker, and Fergie L. Philippe. With updates to in-person procedures based on government guidelines, Studio 52 is able to offer both virtual and in-person camps in the summer of 2021. Studio 52 is supported by Walnut Cove Members Association. This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org.

3 Easy Ways to Secure Your Registration

1. Visit flatrockplayhouse.org to sign up online

2. Mail a check made out to Flat Rock Playhouse with “Rising Stars” in the memo line. Deadline to mail in checks is May 28th. Please provide your best email address for follow-up information.

Attn: Development Office

Flat Rock Playhouse

PO Box 310

Flat Rock, NC 28731

3. Call our box office at 828.693.0731 between 10 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Thursday. Thank you for your understanding and patience with our reduced hours during this time.

Rising Stars: A Virtual Benefit Cabaret was edited by Resident Lighting and Visual Media Designer CJ Barnwell.

If you have any questions about this virtual fundraiser, please give us a call at 828.693.0731.

Created from a friendly dare and presented to a large rowdy group on Halloween in 1977, Electra has enjoyed a wild roller coaster ride as drag royalty!

“Always a Bridesmaid” is the rollicking tale of four loyal and determined women who definitively answer the question, “Just how far are you willing to go to keep a promise to a friend?” If you’ve ever elbowed a stranger out of the way to catch a bride’s bouquet, seriously questioned the mental stability of the duo saying “I do” or been forced to wear the world’s ugliest bridesmaid dress, this deliriously funny JONES HOPE WOOTEN COMEDY is definitely for you…and your dearly beloved!

Created from a friendly dare and presented to a large rowdy group on Halloween in 1977, Electra has enjoyed a wild roller coaster ride as drag royalty!

“Always a Bridesmaid” is the rollicking tale of four loyal and determined women who definitively answer the question, “Just how far are you willing to go to keep a promise to a friend?” If you’ve ever elbowed a stranger out of the way to catch a bride’s bouquet, seriously questioned the mental stability of the duo saying “I do” or been forced to wear the world’s ugliest bridesmaid dress, this deliriously funny JONES HOPE WOOTEN COMEDY is definitely for you…and your dearly beloved!

“Always a Bridesmaid” is the rollicking tale of four loyal and determined women who definitively answer the question, “Just how far are you willing to go to keep a promise to a friend?” If you’ve ever elbowed a stranger out of the way to catch a bride’s bouquet, seriously questioned the mental stability of the duo saying “I do” or been forced to wear the world’s ugliest bridesmaid dress, this deliriously funny JONES HOPE WOOTEN COMEDY is definitely for you…and your dearly beloved!

In conjunction with Sunday Sessions Live (and virtual) music: Food Truck Sundays will bring a new or rotating “staff favorite” cuisine each week to the Beechams Curve offerings.
Gan Shan West, our main culinary provider 6 days a week, is closed on Sundays. Enjoy the convenience, delicious variety and the music – all in one Sunday Funday stop!

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

• This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
• In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
• We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.

Asheville Area Arts Council presents Live! An Asheville Arts Benefit Series running from June through September, and features ten performances produced by Asheville’s leading downtown arts nonprofits.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Presented by Montford Park Players

Shakespeare’s most performed comedy is presented as a welcome to summer. Tickets are free. Suggested donation of $10 – $15 per person. Lawn chairs available for rent or bring your own.

Tanglewood Summer Camp

PUFFS rehearsals will take place Monday-Friday 10-4pm each week (2 week camp), with performances June 18 & 19. Cost of camp $500.

Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)

Puffs is an award winning play that follows a group of friends through their 7 years at a VERY PARTICULAR magical school (where Harry, Ron, and Hermione attend). These aren’t THOSE friends, but the story DOES take place at the same time!

Instead, they belong to Puffs; and are utterly ordinary and a little underachieving. Hilarious and heartwarming, this is the play for any fan of “the boy with the scar” who wants to explore that most unglamorous house.

An evening of Drag with your host Marceline Mashic featuring Indica Gemini, Calcutta, Lustiana Bunny, Kristi Darling, Lexi Sharp, Nova Jynah and Jayda Chanel. The Sly Grog 271 Haywood St. Asheville, NC 28801. $10 Suggested Donation. ALL AGES

Juneteenth is the celebration of the timeframe when slavery was abolished. During the weekend of Juneteenth, GRIND Coffeehouse will hold GRINDfest – a celebration of black business and entrepreneurship. GRINDfest will highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting people across cultures. This weekend of fun will include a play entitled “Savagery”, a poetry slam, local storytellers, game tournaments, a lip sync battle, vendors selling unique items, Black food from around the world and an outdoor dance party with local DJs. This event promises to be one of the most fun and enlightening of the year.

⚡WHAT IS GRINDFEST?

Juneteenth is the time where we celebrate the timeframe where slavery was abolished. It took time for word to spread so it is recognized as Juneteenth.

During the weekend of Juneteenth, we will have GRINDfest – a celebration of black business and entrepreneurship. After slavery was abolished the people held as slaves began to use their skills and talents to do business in an economy that previously thought of them as property. Nonetheless, they made progress and became business owners.

GRINDfest will bring people together to celebrate Black Business and Black Entrepreneurs. It will highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting people across cultures. Economies do not exist in a bubble. They include everyone.

⚡WHY THIS WEEKEND?

Our commissioners just declared Juneteenth a Holiday in Buncombe county. This was the time that slavery was abolished. We know that the effects of slavery and white supremacy still torment our communities, but we have determined to celebrate the life and progress of Black people in Asheville.

We will be hosting GRINDfest on June 18th-20th, our celebration of Black Business and Entrepreneurship. Conveniently located in the River Arts District, we will have a weekend full of fun and learning: “Savagery” (the play), a poetry slam, local storytellers, game tournaments, a lip sync battle, vendors selling unique items, Black food from around the world and an outside dance party with local DJ’s. This event promises to be one of the most fun and enlightening of the year.

⚡WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

🔥EVENT HIGHLIGHTS🔥

📍XTREME HIP HOP AEROBICS: Supercharge your morning with movement set to great music.

📍PINK DOG BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS: Neighboring businesses opening up for breakfast so patrons can come purchase meals

📍ROOTS REVEAL: We have done this activity already with Bowie State University and will do it during the festival. People will order their DNA test that shows countries of origin and features that run in their bloodline. But they will wait until the event to open the results. In this 90 minute workshop, people will open their results and reveal their ancestry. Then they will be engaged in activities led by Dr. Masica Jordan, Clinical Psychologist and College Professor, that highlight the similarities and overlaps shared among people in the room that may not know each other, but share similar histories, countries of origin, and features. By sharing their ancestral DNA, we see that we are more alike than different.
** participants must order their own DNA test results ahead of time

📍SAVAGERY: Another event during the festival will be the play, “Savagery”. This play was scripted by local author, Nichole Lee and was written as a collection of stories and music from people of color. It is therapeutic in that it tells the story, but it is also entertaining and engaging.

📍GAMES TOURNAMENT: We will have card game tournaments in addition to family fun activities. This in addition to local food vendors with West African cuisine, Jamaican Island cuisine, and a Seafood Boil/Fish Fry, we will host community awards given to people who have made significant progress and contributions such as “single fathers/mothers, blended families, people who had to switch careers, and those succeeding after recovery/re-entry.

📍LIP-SYNC BATTLE: Another event that will happen is the lip-sync battle where contestants perform in the goofiest, funniest way they can to win the prize.

📍DEPOT STREET DANCE PARTY: We close the night out with a huge dance party. It is a festival that has great purpose and practical fun. The whole idea is to celebrate differences and learn from them while uniting people. We have already gathered all the businesses on our block in the River Arts District in addition to 20 other black businesses that are part of our Black Wall Street Program to make this festival a success. Tension can exist between people who look differently, but we designed this festival to bring folks together to celebrate and learn in a fun-filled weekend.

✅Download our Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3hB1U9Z

✅Be one of the sponsors: https://bit.ly/3w1SmbR

✅Be a volunteer: https://bit.ly/33HmVHy

⚡Free-Entry event made possible by our amazing sponsors. Bring the whole family and friends and enjoy the Blackest Weekend in Asheville

In conjunction with Sunday Sessions Live (and virtual) music: Food Truck Sundays will bring a new or rotating “staff favorite” cuisine each week to the Beechams Curve offerings.
Gan Shan West, our main culinary provider 6 days a week, is closed on Sundays. Enjoy the convenience, delicious variety and the music – all in one Sunday Funday stop!

BROADWAY DANCE BOOTCAMP (In-Person)  
Rising 6th – 12th Grades

Get moving in this high-energy dance bootcamp focusing on Broadway-style choreography. Beginning with a traditional jazz warm-up and center exercises, students will learn new vocabulary, hone their dance skills, and practice picking up fun musical theatre choreography! Learn how to fill your movement with meaning and unleash the fun in expressing yourself through dance!

Grades: Rising 6th – 12th
​(2021 high school graduates are welcome)

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

• This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
• In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
• Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
• We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.

Dive into acting and auditioning for commercials in this four-day virtual camp for teens. With a focus on real-world scripts, improvisation, creative prompts, and self-taping assignments, actors will gain confidence on camera, feel free to trust their instincts, and celebrate their own individuality. Learn from industry professionals, connect with teens from across the country, and be ready for your next audition or commercial gig.

(2021 high school graduates are welcome)

REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19

​In this week-long, half-day acting session, students will work with a team of industry experts to explore the nuances of acting technique and performance. With a balanced combination of training, rehearsal, and performance, young artists will take daily acting, improvisation, voice and speech, and movement classes, applying these skills in an original showcase presented at the end of the week for a small audience. This week is perfectly suited for students who are passionate about theatre, excited to collaborate with peers and professionals, and interested in expanding their theatre skill set. No previous experience required. Space is limited. 

​​​​
REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 19

Separate workshops for students in grades 1-3 and grades 4-9

9-3pm Monday-Friday and Friday performance at the end of camp $300

Early and late care available for an additional fee of $50 (7:45am drop off and 5pm pick up)

Actors will help create their costumes and props and put on a show. In between learning songs and staging, they will take breaks, play games, enjoy the sunshine, and make new friends.

Disney’s Moana JR. is a musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Moana JR. features all the beloved songs from the film, written by Tony®, GRAMMY, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”

This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, Moana JR. is sure to bring out the hero within each of us.

In conjunction with Sunday Sessions Live (and virtual) music: Food Truck Sundays will bring a new or rotating “staff favorite” cuisine each week to the Beechams Curve offerings.
Gan Shan West, our main culinary provider 6 days a week, is closed on Sundays. Enjoy the convenience, delicious variety and the music – all in one Sunday Funday stop!

 IMPROV (In-Person)  
Rising 6th – 12th Grades

Unlock your imagination in this fast-paced, on-your-feet introductory improv class! Students will learn to think outside of the box, collaborate, quickly develop characters, and build on a creative idea by saying “yes! and…”  Through exercises, improv games, and creative prompts young artists will learn to take risks, access creativity, gain confidence, meaningfully connect with peers, and discover the FUN in fundamental improvisation. 

Grades: Rising 6th – 12th