Calendar of Events

Auditions will be held at the Education Building located at 1855 Little River Road in Flat Rock on Friday, Jan. 10th and Saturday, Jan. 11th. Participants from all experience levels are welcome, from the young to the young at heart, rookies or seasoned veterans. Roles are both human and animal characters. For more information, including character lists and audition materials, visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

Friday, January 10 th 4pm-7pm Saturday, January 11 th 10am-2pm Callbacks will be held Tuesday, January 14th 4pm-7pm

We are thrilled to bring a preview of the 18th annual Asheville Fringe Arts Festival to Fleetwood’s in West Asheville on Saturday, January 11th, 7 to 9 pm (free). Get a taste of Fringe dance, installation and music from the edges, and grab one of the freshly printed festival guides! One week ahead of the festival, you’ll get a chance to talk to artists and organizers, and plan which of the 100+ shows, 55+ artists and 15+ venues you will visit. We recommend fully immersing yourself! It’s a community, an international movement, an adventure!

Do you take this performance art to be your love-fully wedded Fringe favorite? Site-specific dance troupe The Accidentals will be performing a fun, wedding-themed interactive piece.

After the wedding, enter the “Womb”, a one-on-one shadow puppetry experience with live music, created by Geneva Bierce Wilson. You are invited to be reborn in this empowering and intimate performance.

Outside Fleetwood’s you can explore the Asheville Zed “Emerge n See”, a mobile museum constructed in a converted ambulance. 20+ artists have created dioramas, interactive sculptures, multimedia projections and instagramable moments in every nook and cranny.

This awesome free event is co-hosted by Asheville FM!  AshevilleFM’s DJ Avel Veeta, of Flytrap, will be spinning energized tunes from across the universe, while Fleetwood’s friendly bartender offers refreshments. Come get Fringey with us!

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

A night of sketch comedy starring Cameron Davis, Carin Metzger, Jared Eriksen, Jessica Barlow, Joe Carroll, and George Awad

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pancake-apocalypse-a-night-of-sketch-comedy-tickets-85835649739

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

This course covers the fundamentals of improvisational acting with emphasis on comedy; such as listing, commitment, adding information, agreement, intuitive reaction over desperate invention, as well as recognizing and capitalizing on emerging patterns.

Winter Chautauqua kicks off the 2020 theme of “Reinventing America,” with Teddy Roosevelt. What better way to “Reinvent America” then with the Rough Rider, Nobel Prize winning President who stepped down at the height of his popularity to four years later bolt the Republican Party and challenge his hand picked successor? In ninety days, Roosevelt’s “Bull Moose” Party humbled a sitting president and decisively beat a party that had dominated national politics for forty years. American politics was never then same again.

Join an audience that loves talking back to history to discuss Teddy Roosevelt – with AV Huff. This event is NOT a costumed performance. (Doug Mishler from Reno NV will perform as Teddy Roosevelt in Winter Chautauqua – Jan 31, Feb 1, Feb 2.)

AV Huff, PhD is a distinguished author, award-wining teacher, and public servant. AV is passionate about southern history and is author of Greenville: The History of the City and County in the South Carolina Piedmont. Dr. Huff has led previous Chautauqua Talks on historic South Carolina figures ranging from the controversial John C. Calhoun to escaped slave and Civil War military commander Robert Smalls.

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Join the Western North Carolina based podcasters from Mountain Murders for an afternoon of true crime, comedy, booze and live audience participation!

Heather and Dylan will discuss truly terrifying Appalachian true crime cases!

Come hang out with the biggest creeps in town & Warm up with a hot blooded murder

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

On the culinary side, we have “Dinner Bell” from Taproot Ensemble, a dance, song and storytelling exploration of what you’re not supposed to talk about at the dinner table, southern style. Includes treats from Early Girl Eatery. Lauren French brings us “Intimate Dinner or ‘Tap water is fine'”, a comic solo show about fine dining. A celebrity chef will perform actual cooking demos with audience help. Customers become more demanding, chaos ensues. Will the server keep her cool?

Our Fringe always has a strong dance component and this year is no exception with returning favorites like Yuhas and Company and Stewart Owen Dance, plus 16 other works incorporating dance.

Music will ring out through many shows and, of course, the parties. We have several experimental works, a growing theme over the last few years, including Perspective Collective (“The Pride of Pripyat” an opera about Chernobyl), Matthew Marcum (“Hymns and Oscillations” healing frequencies), and Emmalee Hunnicutt (“Biophilia” multimedia meditation on local green space).

Solo shows, interactive theater, and puppetry abound along with things that defy category, like “Ra Ra RA Da Da Da” a dadaist experiment in avant-garde, marginal, post neo-absurdist after-hours durational variety cabaret! The 18th annual Fringe has something for every weirdo.

Find all the shows, ticketed and free, searchable by venue and date on our newly revamped website AshevilleFringe.org

The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

For more information on The Frozen Experience, please visit https://www.theapaa.com/frozenjr. There will be no refunds or exchanges for tickets purchased for the incorrect cast.

Comedian Michael Palascak
Live at The Mothlight
Sunday, January 19th
Doors 7pm
Tickets: $15

Michael Palascak was named the 2018 Stand-up of the Year by the Late Nite Last Week podcast for his performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. He’s also done stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Letterman, Comedy Central’s HALF HOUR, was a top 5 Finalist on LAST COMIC STANDING, and this past summer he performed at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival where he taped a set for Kevin Hart’s LOL network. Norm Macdonald said Michael reminds him, “…of a guy that’s just as funny offstage as on, which is like magic.” Michael’s short film You’re Alive was accepted into numerous festivals including the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Festival and was the winner of the Audience Award at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival.

http://www.michaelpalascak.com/

Featuring James Harrod and Kelly Morgan

Bart is a boisterous puppy at the shelter, and Mabel is a lonely widow. The day they find each other marks the beginning of a profound friendship. But Mabel is old, and Bart is young – and, suddenly, he’s alone. Combining puppetry, live action and animation, New Owner transports audiences to a world full of adventures, told from a dog’s perspective. From the minds of Arielle Gray and Tim Watts, founding members of Australian theatre collective The Last Great Hunt, comes a touching and stunningly beautiful new story about loss, friendship and new beginnings — an up-close and personal experience at the intimate Tina McGuire Theatre.

Felicity Hesed’s “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” explores the joys, sorrows, and hilarity of contemporary adulthood through music, circus, and magic.

“Felicity Hesed is an absolute delight…as an actor, an aerialist, and physical comedian.
‘Cara Vita’ thoughtfully, playfully, lovingly, joyfully takes us along for the ride.”
– Steve Smith (Emmy Award winner, Clown Hall of Fame inductee, and Big Apple Circus Director)

“Cara Vita” is both a deeply personal and universally human story. Created and performed by Felicity Hesed, this comedy offers a uniquely female perspective on the struggles of maintaining one’s identity in the midst of family life. “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” incorporates music, trapeze, and magic to spin a whimsical tale of love and loss. Hesed’s show offers a fresh, female voice in the world of clowning.

“…a hilarious, heartbreaking and sexy piece of clown theater.” – (Jeff Raz, Cirque du Soleil)

San Francisco-based, Felicity Hesed developed this innovative and interactive show in collaboration with award-winning Director Jeff Raz. Felicity Hesed is joined on stage by violinist Clare Armenante who creates an invigorating and masterful soundscape based on Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. The show culminates in a stunning trapeze act, choreographed by master aerialist Elena Panova.

“Felicity Hesed’s ‘Cara Vita’ is a cleverly crafted solo piece incorporating music, clowning and movement into one thoroughly entertaining show. Filled with fun surprises, Hesed’s sharp comic timing will keep you laughing and wondering what will come next. But underneath the silliness is an achingly sincere exploration of marriage and motherhood as seen through the eyes of an artist, asking a question that many can relate to: what happens to your art when life gets in the way?”
– Genie Cartier (Founder of Bow & Arrow Circus Theatre Collective)

“Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” was developed as part of an Artist Residency at Circus Center in San Francisco. It made its world premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. “Cara Vita” will be on tour in 2020, including performances in San Francisco, Asheville, and London.

La Gaviota Teatro brings their multidisciplinary theatre work “URIKUBU: Language without Frontiers” from Mexico City to the Magnetic Theater. Have you ever seen a dragon being born or met the God of Time? Through puppetry, live music, dance and a language made up just for this show, experience the magic. 3 shows: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 pm, Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

La Gaviota Teatro brings their multidisciplinary theatre work “URIKUBU: Language without Frontiers” from Mexico City to the Magnetic Theater. Have you ever seen a dragon being born or met the God of Time? Through puppetry, live music, dance and a language made up just for this show, experience the magic. 3 shows: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 pm, Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

Felicity Hesed’s “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” explores the joys, sorrows, and hilarity of contemporary adulthood through music, circus, and magic.

“Felicity Hesed is an absolute delight…as an actor, an aerialist, and physical comedian.
‘Cara Vita’ thoughtfully, playfully, lovingly, joyfully takes us along for the ride.”
– Steve Smith (Emmy Award winner, Clown Hall of Fame inductee, and Big Apple Circus Director)

“Cara Vita” is both a deeply personal and universally human story. Created and performed by Felicity Hesed, this comedy offers a uniquely female perspective on the struggles of maintaining one’s identity in the midst of family life. “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” incorporates music, trapeze, and magic to spin a whimsical tale of love and loss. Hesed’s show offers a fresh, female voice in the world of clowning.

“…a hilarious, heartbreaking and sexy piece of clown theater.” – (Jeff Raz, Cirque du Soleil)

San Francisco-based, Felicity Hesed developed this innovative and interactive show in collaboration with award-winning Director Jeff Raz. Felicity Hesed is joined on stage by violinist Clare Armenante who creates an invigorating and masterful soundscape based on Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. The show culminates in a stunning trapeze act, choreographed by master aerialist Elena Panova.

“Felicity Hesed’s ‘Cara Vita’ is a cleverly crafted solo piece incorporating music, clowning and movement into one thoroughly entertaining show. Filled with fun surprises, Hesed’s sharp comic timing will keep you laughing and wondering what will come next. But underneath the silliness is an achingly sincere exploration of marriage and motherhood as seen through the eyes of an artist, asking a question that many can relate to: what happens to your art when life gets in the way?”
– Genie Cartier (Founder of Bow & Arrow Circus Theatre Collective)

“Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” was developed as part of an Artist Residency at Circus Center in San Francisco. It made its world premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. “Cara Vita” will be on tour in 2020, including performances in San Francisco, Asheville, and London.

It’s the “Flying Catastrophe Circus“! Aerial arts! Juggling! Cats on roller skates! Tap dancing contortion! Nine circus artists bring you a show overflowing with laughter, thrill and imagination. 25-minutes of non-stop fun and child-like wonder. 2 FREE shows at Empyrean Arts, Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.