What does it actually take to build a community where everyone belongs?
In summer of 2025, the folks in Buncombe County’s Planning and Development department approached ACA about collaborating on a performance that would invite young audiences into the Small Area Recovery planning process prompted by Helene, and we leapt at the opportunity.
Helping young people practice civic engagement through art? YES please!
What resulted is a beautiful show called BUILDERS, where a jaunt through the natural world shows that the models for thriving, inclusive communities exist all around us.
We heard from lead artist, designer and performer, Fede Collina (FC); and collaborator and performer Hannah Eicholtz (HE), who gave some more insights into the themes and experiences of BUILDERS…enjoy!
ACA: What inspired you during this project?
FC: Nature is always a big source of inspiration for me, and in this case, diving into the natural world and discovering how different species build thriving communities was very eye and heart opening. I had heard of the wood wide web before, and learning more was absolutely mind blowing… like it gave a whole new meaning to the saying: let’s go back to our roots!
And there was one question that kept coming back and fueling the process: “What does it actually take to build a community where everyone belongs? How do we, as human beings, embody the openness that allows us to truly welcome everyone? And at the same time, what do we each need in order to feel welcomed ourselves?” – I find it deeply inspiring to think that we are in this together.
ACA: Why do you make this type of work?
FC: I believe art and theatre can help us practice being human. When you work with children, you see how naturally curious and compassionate they are, but also how easily they create groups and are capable of exclusion. I wanted to create a story that celebrates collaboration, and the idea that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Puppetry creates a kind of magic where difficult ideas become approachable. Children laugh, adults laugh, and before you know it, everyone is talking about kindness, belonging, courage, or empathy without feeling like someone is teaching you a lesson.
I try to create playful, joyful experiences where children feel seen, capable, curious, and connected. Rather than saying, “I want children to learn empathy,” I believe that if children laugh, play, imagine, and connect with the story, then they connect with themselves and each other, and empathy grows naturally.
ACA: What do you want audiences to feel like when they leave? Or have them learn?
FC: I hope they leave feeling uplifted and hopeful!
I hope children feel empowered to make their communities a little kinder. And adults remember that imagination isn’t something we outgrow—it’s something we need.
If families talk together after the show about what it means to include someone, work together, or appreciate different perspectives… then we’ve done our job!
ACA: Which of BUILDERS many themes resonate with you most deeply right now?
HE: The theme that resonates with me the most is the idea that everybody has a role to play in their community, no matter how seemingly small. I also love the reminder that nature is just as much a part of our community as people are, and that it deserves our respect and care too.
FC: Belonging. I think so many people these days (children and adults alike) are looking for places where they can simply be themselves. Every person brings different ways of thinking, different ways of communicating, and different strengths. Builders celebrate those differences and to me, that’s the kind of community worth building.
ACA: What do you think audiences enjoy about BUILDERS?
FC: I think they enjoy how playful it is, and how kids are roped in and included in the show without having to sit still and be quiet like theatre normally requires… I think both kids and adults are not used to that and they like it, it’s refreshing.
People can expect puppets (you betcha!) and a story with heart. It’s entertaining, but it also opens the door to meaningful conversations.
HE: I think people really enjoy all the fun characters and the playfulness of it. It’s funny and engaging, but it also has a really lovely message. I think audiences leave feeling inspired to be a little more thoughtful about their communities and how they can contribute.
ACA: What has been the most fun about working on this project?
HE: Working with Fede is, of course, a lot of fun, as you can imagine. But honestly, my favorite part has been interacting with the kids. I love seeing how excited and completely captivated they are by the puppets. They always want to come say hi afterward, and so many of them want to give my character, Remi, a hug. It’s incredibly sweet and probably the most rewarding part of the whole experience.
FC: I feel like when you start working on a puppet show, you never really know where you’ll end up—and that’s both terrifying and incredibly fun! Once you build the puppets and start understanding how they move and what they can/cannot do, things change and the story really begins to evolve. The performers also bring their own ideas and strengths to the process, opening up possibilities you never could have planned for. Then every audience will require to reshape something in the show. You keep tweaking, adjusting, discovering… It really is a true community project!
And honestly, there’s nothing quite like hearing a room full of children laughing, cheering on the puppets, picking their favorites, and then sharing their own ideas after the show. Those conversations… That’s why we do it.