a devised piece by Abby Felder (co-concept / direction), Dr. Allison Curseen (co-concept), Eva Von Schweinitz (dramaturge), Alex Smith (dramaturge), Rebecca Williams (video), Blakeney Bullock (choreography), DeWayne Barton (lobby installation), Abby Auman (lights), Jonesalee (original music), Kylie Irvin (musical support), and Scott Branson (post-show talk-back curation)
Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in Asheville's River Arts District
*meant to be enjoyed by everyone 8 and older
April 19-28, 2019
Experience the power of personal narrative, the magic of a modern fairy tale,and transcendent vocal harmonies inthis 60-minute mosaic of puppetry, live music, video and physical theater, as a troupe of actors share songs and experiences from their childhood then vie for the opportunity to act out their favorite story for (and with!) the audience.
Inspired by images of children in NC's textile industry at the turn of the century, this performance will encourage the young (and young at heart) to tell their own stories on their own terms.
Featuring Personal Narratives from: Hanger Hall 8th Grade Students, and participants of the Latino youth group MANOS (Mentoring And Nurturing Our Students) a Buncombe County Schools and WWC collaboration.
With Performers:Edwin Salas Acosta, Tiffany Copeland, Olympea, Daniele Martinand Holly Heveron-Smith
Post-Show Talk-Backs: Following select shows we invite special guests to lead discussions around specific themes, and provide a forum for processing any thoughts or questions inspired in young people during the performance. Our in progress schedule includes:
April 19, 7pm: Juan G Sanchez Martinez - professor at UNCA whose work focuses on indigenous cultural expressions and challenges traditional theories of language, genre and periods.
April 21, 1pm:DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers International - a visual and performing artist, Barton is involved in justice issues — both through his art and his community involvement.
April 26, 7pm:Tom Godleski - A Mountain Xpress "Influential," Godleski is a storyteller, teacher, composer and performer whose musical SNOWBOUND, frequently performed at ACT, uses traditional stories and details to create a holiday play steeped in Western North Carolina tradition.
April 28, 1pm:BeLoved Asheville - a community deeply rooted in love and justice working to transform our city and world through community-led solutions. Find out more at www.belovedasheville.com
The Warp & The Weft is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
BUGS! An Immersive, Original Musical
by Jonesalee
lead artists Abby Felder (direction), Blakeney Bullock (choreography), Brenda Gambill and Gina Stewart (creators / musical directors)
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
July 19-29, 2018
When a band of buskers are magically transformed into insects, they must listen to and learn from one another before being returned to their human form. Will they? Comprised of a series of vignettes, this immersive musical spectacle observes and explores the tiny, teeming insect world, in a funny and uplifting experience that asks us to pause, look closely and consider the little things
Starring: Edwin Salas Acosta (Horsefly, Hand Percussion), Holly Heveron-Smith (Mantis, Drums), Jake Donham (Wooly Worm, Keys, Bass), Laura Blackley (Busker Band Leader, Guitar), and Tristan Cameron (Ladybug, Harmonica)
Lights / Production Coordinator:
Abby Auman Dramaturge: Alex Smith Sets: DeWayne Barton Puppets/Costumes: Edwin Salas Acosta Video/Projections: Holly Heveron-Smith
Public performances included post-show panels with community organizations. Panelists included:
7/20, 7/21 (1pm), 7/22 (1pm) and 7/29: Various Rep's from
7/28 (3:30):Shoshana Batson - Peer Support Specialist
FAILURE: A Love Story
by Philip Dawkins
directed by Abby Felder with Eva von Schweinitz & Gina Stewart
with musical soundscape from Jonesalee
April 6-15, 2018
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
"whimsical, sweetly philosophical...a story about grabbing hold of life and savoring it to the fullest, come what may."- Los Angeles Times
Through a series of random events that befall the three Fail sisters, Failure: A Love Story shows us how life is both unfair and precious. This bold and quirky modern fairy tale about love and loss leaves audiences with the message, “Just because something ends, that don’t mean it wasn’t a great success.” In its 6th milestone season, ACA showcases its signature style combining lyrical language and sophisticated visual storytelling through live video and found object puppets in a whimsical story that captures how while time is measured consistently by clocks, everyone experiences its passage differently.
With: Daniele Martin, Julia Cunningham, Katie Jones, Kelsey Sewell
Dramaturgy: Alex Smith Ast Director: Eva von Schwienitz Lights: Jason Williams
Set Dressing & Props: Chifforobe Home & Garden
Video: Holly Heveron-Smith & Flywheel Films
Puppets: Katie Jones
Marketing & Education Coordinator: Lisa Yoffee
Production Coordinator: Abby Auman
With post-show panels:
April 7 & 14 - 1pm: Conversation with healthcare advocates from Givens Highland Farms, Sheree Boyd and John Shnell.
April 8 - 4pm and April 15 - 1pm: Conversation with YouthOutRight, an organization that empowers youth of all gender and sexual identities to reach their full potential.
Download our Fun Guide with discussion questions and fun arts & crafts activities for pre and post-show!
CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE
based on text by Doreen Cronin with Illustrations by Betsy Lewin adapted by James E. Grote music by George Howe lyrics by James E. Grote and George Howe directed by Nehprii Amenii choreographed by Anthony Napoletano musical director Gina Stewart of Jonesalee and Anthony Napoletano, with Gabrielle Tee
July 20-30, 2017
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
The animals on Farmer Brown’s farm have had enough! They work all day to provide milk and eggs, but when their request for electric blankets to warm the drafty barn is ignored, action must be taken. Join the Cows, Hen, and Duck – and their trusty typewriter – as they engage in peaceful protest to improve their working conditions, in a production that uses projection, elements of puppetry, and protest inspired choreography.
Starring: Katie Jones, Anthony Napoletano, Jonathan Santos, Jason Stanley, Gina Stewart
with the Barnyard Band: Reed Atherton, Reina Corcoran, Dax Chatham, Grey Chatham, Samantha Yoffee
Barnyard Band Conductor: Gabrielle Tee
Costumes: Maggie Neas
Dramaturge: Alex Smith
Lights / Production Coordinator: Anthony Cerrato
Production Intern: Samantha Yoffee
Projections: Marie Yokoyama
Sets & Puppets: Nehprii Amenii
Stage Manager: Tristan Cameron
Public performances included post-show panels with community organizers discussing their role in peaceful protest locally and statewide. Panelists included
Click, Clack, Moo originally published by Simon & Schuster
Used with the permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.
and is supported by an award from the Puffin Foundation West
THE LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD SHOW
by Russell Davis co-directors Abby Felder and Katie Jones April 6-9, 2017
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
Take one girl, equipped with a basket of goodies. Add one Grandmother, sick in bed. Combine with one Wolf, lurking mischievously. Toss in one skeptical Mother, and let simmer for one hour. Russell Davis stirs the ingredients of this well-loved tale in new postmodern directions, concocting a sly and spicy story that delights children and adults right down to the last surprising bite, addressing social media as the modern day “wolf in the woods.”
Starring: George Awad, Julia Cunningham, Daniele Martin, & Tippin
sets & costumes: Marie Yokoyama
sound: Jonesalee
video: Rebecca Williams
lights: Eric Winkenwerder, Wink Lighting
dramaturge: Alex Smith
Produced by Special Arrangement with Gurman Agency, LLC
ACA's MainStage productions are supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, distributed by the Asheville Area Arts Council; Additional support provided by Puffin Foundation and Puffin Foundation West, as well as our generous corporate sponsors and individual donors.
Past Productions
THE WARP & THE WEFT
a devised piece by Abby Felder (co-concept / direction), Dr. Allison Curseen (co-concept), Eva Von Schweinitz (dramaturge), Alex Smith (dramaturge), Rebecca Williams (video), Blakeney Bullock (choreography), DeWayne Barton (lobby installation), Abby Auman (lights), Jonesalee (original music), Kylie Irvin (musical support), and Scott Branson (post-show talk-back curation)
Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in Asheville's River Arts District
*meant to be enjoyed by everyone 8 and older
April 19-28, 2019
Experience the power of personal narrative, the magic of a modern fairy tale, and transcendent vocal harmonies in this 60-minute mosaic of puppetry, live music, video and physical theater, as a troupe of actors share songs and experiences from their childhood then vie for the opportunity to act out their favorite story for (and with!) the audience.
Inspired by images of children in NC's textile industry at the turn of the century, this performance will encourage the young (and young at heart) to tell their own stories on their own terms.
Featuring Personal Narratives from: Hanger Hall 8th Grade Students, and participants of the Latino youth group MANOS (Mentoring And Nurturing Our Students) a Buncombe County Schools and WWC collaboration.
With Performers: Edwin Salas Acosta, Tiffany Copeland, Olympea, Daniele Martin and Holly Heveron-Smith
Post-Show Talk-Backs: Following select shows we invite special guests to lead discussions around specific themes, and provide a forum for processing any thoughts or questions inspired in young people during the performance. Our in progress schedule includes:
April 19, 7pm: Juan G Sanchez Martinez - professor at UNCA whose work focuses on indigenous cultural expressions and challenges traditional theories of language, genre and periods.
April 21, 1pm: DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers International - a visual and performing artist, Barton is involved in justice issues — both through his art and his community involvement.
April 26, 7pm: Tom Godleski - A Mountain Xpress "Influential," Godleski is a storyteller, teacher, composer and performer whose musical SNOWBOUND, frequently performed at ACT, uses traditional stories and details to create a holiday play steeped in Western North Carolina tradition.
April 28, 1pm: BeLoved Asheville - a community deeply rooted in love and justice working to transform our city and world through community-led solutions. Find out more at www.belovedasheville.com
The Warp & The Weft is made possible by funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
BUGS! An Immersive, Original Musical
by Jonesalee
lead artists Abby Felder (direction), Blakeney Bullock (choreography), Brenda Gambill and Gina Stewart (creators / musical directors)
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
July 19-29, 2018
When a band of buskers are magically transformed into insects, they must listen to and learn from one another before being returned to their human form. Will they? Comprised of a series of vignettes, this immersive musical spectacle observes and explores the tiny, teeming insect world, in a funny and uplifting experience that asks us to pause, look closely and consider the little things
Starring: Edwin Salas Acosta (Horsefly, Hand Percussion), Holly Heveron-Smith (Mantis, Drums), Jake Donham (Wooly Worm, Keys, Bass), Laura Blackley (Busker Band Leader, Guitar), and Tristan Cameron (Ladybug, Harmonica)
Lights / Production Coordinator:
Abby Auman
Dramaturge: Alex Smith
Sets: DeWayne Barton
Puppets/Costumes: Edwin Salas Acosta
Video/Projections: Holly Heveron-Smith
Public performances included post-show panels with community organizations. Panelists included:
7/20, 7/21 (1pm), 7/22 (1pm) and 7/29: Various Rep's from
YouthOutRight
7/21 (3:30): Rebecca O'Neill from Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
7/22 (3:30): DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers International
7/28 (3:30): Shoshana Batson - Peer Support Specialist
FAILURE: A Love Story
by Philip Dawkins
directed by Abby Felder with Eva von Schweinitz & Gina Stewart
with musical soundscape from Jonesalee
April 6-15, 2018
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
"whimsical, sweetly philosophical...a story about grabbing hold of life and savoring it to the fullest, come what may."- Los Angeles Times
Through a series of random events that befall the three Fail sisters, Failure: A Love Story shows us how life is both unfair and precious. This bold and quirky modern fairy tale about love and loss leaves audiences with the message, “Just because something ends, that don’t mean it wasn’t a great success.” In its 6th milestone season, ACA showcases its signature style combining lyrical language and sophisticated visual storytelling through live video and found object puppets in a whimsical story that captures how while time is measured consistently by clocks, everyone experiences its passage differently.
With: Daniele Martin, Julia Cunningham, Katie Jones, Kelsey Sewell
Dramaturgy: Alex Smith Ast Director: Eva von Schwienitz Lights: Jason Williams
Set Dressing & Props: Chifforobe Home & Garden
Video: Holly Heveron-Smith & Flywheel Films
Puppets: Katie Jones
Marketing & Education Coordinator: Lisa Yoffee
Production Coordinator: Abby Auman
With post-show panels:
April 7 & 14 - 1pm: Conversation with healthcare advocates from Givens Highland Farms, Sheree Boyd and John Shnell.
April 8 - 4pm and April 15 - 1pm: Conversation with YouthOutRight, an organization that empowers youth of all gender and sexual identities to reach their full potential.
Download our Fun Guide with discussion questions and fun arts & crafts activities for pre and post-show!
CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE
based on text by Doreen Cronin
with Illustrations by Betsy Lewin
adapted by James E. Grote
music by George Howe
lyrics by James E. Grote and George Howe
directed by Nehprii Amenii
choreographed by Anthony Napoletano
musical director Gina Stewart of Jonesalee and Anthony Napoletano, with Gabrielle Tee
July 20-30, 2017
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
The animals on Farmer Brown’s farm have had enough! They work all day to provide milk and eggs, but when their request for electric blankets to warm the drafty barn is ignored, action must be taken. Join the Cows, Hen, and Duck – and their trusty typewriter – as they engage in peaceful protest to improve their working conditions, in a production that uses projection, elements of puppetry, and protest inspired choreography.
Starring: Katie Jones, Anthony Napoletano, Jonathan Santos, Jason Stanley, Gina Stewart
with the Barnyard Band: Reed Atherton, Reina Corcoran, Dax Chatham,
Grey Chatham, Samantha Yoffee
Barnyard Band Conductor: Gabrielle Tee
Costumes: Maggie Neas
Dramaturge: Alex Smith
Lights / Production Coordinator: Anthony Cerrato
Production Intern: Samantha Yoffee
Projections: Marie Yokoyama
Sets & Puppets: Nehprii Amenii
Stage Manager: Tristan Cameron
Public performances included post-show panels with community organizers discussing their role in peaceful protest locally and statewide. Panelists included
Rev. Michael Carter - Unitarian Universalist Church (7/21)
Paul Howey - Fur Kidz Sake (7/22 - 4pm)
Daniele Martin of Yoga for Women of Color (7/23 at 1pm)
DeWayne Barton of Hood Huggers (7/23 at 4pm)
Sawyer Taylor-Arnold activist and board member of Womens' March on AVL (7/27 at 7pm)
Click, Clack, Moo originally published by Simon & Schus
ter
Used with the permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.
and is supported by an award from the Puffin Foundation West
THE LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD SHOW
by Russell Davis
co-directors Abby Felder and Katie Jones
April 6-9, 2017
at Magnetic 375
375 Depot Street in the River Arts District
Take one girl, equipped with a basket of goodies. Add one Grandmother, sick in bed. Combine with one Wolf, lurking mischievously. Toss in one skeptical Mother, and let simmer for one hour. Russell Davis stirs the ingredients of this well-loved tale in new postmodern directions, concocting a sly and spicy story that delights children and adults right down to the last surprising bite, addressing social media as the modern day “wolf in the woods.”
Starring: George Awad, Julia Cunningham, Daniele Martin, & Tippin
sets & costumes: Marie Yokoyama
sound: Jonesalee
video: Rebecca Williams
lights: Eric Winkenwerder, Wink Lighting
dramaturge: Alex Smith
Produced by Special Arrangement with Gurman Agency, LLC
ACA's MainStage productions are supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, distributed by the Asheville Area Arts Council; Additional support provided by Puffin Foundation and Puffin Foundation West, as well as our generous corporate sponsors and individual donors.
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