New South Location!

STARTING Monday November 30th:

We are upgrading to a new, larger facility which will be a better home for all of our programs! The studios will be larger and there will be more space for rehearsals, for classes and for parents of Kindermusik students to roll across the floor!

The best part is that the move is JUST ACROSS THE STREET!

Located at 10 Miller Avenue, Long Shoals turns into Miller Ave when you cross Hendersonville Road. It is on the left hand side of the street across from the Skyland Fire Department.

If you were sitting at the traffic light (having come from I-26) at Long Shoals Rd. and Hendersonville Rd, you would take a left onto Hendersonville Rd to get to the CURRENT location at Summit Ave.

Instead of turning left at that light, go STRAIGHT THROUGH the light and the NEW Arts Center- South will be on your left hand side, directly across from the Fire Station. We have a BLUE AWNING, and parking right up against the building!

View Larger Map

The NEW facility will bring endless growing potential for all areas of the arts and our students. We can’t wait for you to join us next week in this great new space. Tell all your friends to come and check us out!

Enroll for Spring Semester and get a free UCreate Music System!

Looking for a great holiday gift this year?

Give the gift of the performing arts!  Enroll in any of our Spring semester classes in drama, dance & Kindermusik and get a free UCreate Music System* for each student you sign up.

More information on the UCreate Music System:  “With this easy-to-use digital music-making system, your aspiring DJ can record samples, mix and match loops, and share hip mash-ups with friends. Plus, kids can access the huge online library to build a collection of tracks, special effects, and filters. Hours of rockin’ fun!”

What a great way to continue to stimulate your child’s creativity!

Call today!  828.253.4000

*Available to current and new students.  This offer is limited to the first 50 people who enroll for the January semester, which runs January 4 – May 15, 2010. This offer is not applicable for our year-long programs or private music lessons.  Payment for the semester must be received in full.

The Academy at Asheville Arts Center to perform “Once On This Island, Jr.”

The Asheville Arts Center is proud to announce one of our esteemed children’s theatre offerings this fall, “Once on this Island, Jr.”  This musical is being put together by our extremely talented Academy students and is set to perform in December.

Click here to view the Facebook invitation!

More about the show:

Once On This Island Junior is a Caribbean adaptation of the popular Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” featuring a poignant story and catchy, Caribbean flavored score.

This is the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a young man from a wealthy family. When Daniel is returned to his people, the gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

Told in a presentational style reminiscent of story theatre, it is equally effective regardless of its cast size and features minimal – though colorful – sets and costumes that capture the imagination of the audience. Creative dance or movement-driven staging is also part of the show’s style, calling upon performers to portray trees, wild animals and even a fierce rainstorm.

With its touching story and catchy pop and Caribbean flavored score by songwriters of the film Anastasia and the Broadway smash Ragtime, Once On This Island Junior is a multi-cultural feast for the heart, mind, and soul.

The Academy cast had the amazing opportunity to work with original Broadway cast member, Gerry McIntyre on November 14.  Mr. McIntyre also directed a production in New Orleans with kids who had survived Hurricane Katrina, featured in the documentary, “After the Storm.”  Click here to see more about the documentary.

Show dates are December 4 & 5, 2009 at North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, NC. (7pm Friday, 3pm & 7pm Saturday)  Mark your calendars!

More about our Academy program:

THE ACADEMY AT THE ASHEVILLE ARTS CENTER is a year-round, progressive conservatory for students with the commitment and desire to deepen their performing arts education in acting, singing and dance.  August 2009 marks the beginning of the Academy’s fourth year.  Current Academy students have earned lead roles in many community and school productions, paid voice-overs, and film projects.  Two concentrations of study are offered: the Musical Theatre Concentration and the Drama/ Acting Concentration.

Students in grades 4 – 12 (ages 10-18) are eligible and may be admitted by audition after submitting an application.  Younger students may qualify for our Junior Acting Company, a pre-Academy program for those 10 years old and younger.

The Academy’s “acting company” conservatory approach allows students and instructors to build a supportive, exciting, boundless learning group.  Together they’ll explore the tools and styles of performing on stage, film and TV.  Academy students are the core of our Children’s Theatre Workshop and annual Academy productions.

Local moms praise our Creative Arts Preschool!

From Darla, mother of Trevor:

“Trevor LOVES Asheville Arts Center preschool. When we looked at preschools, we wanted one that would help to develop his creativity, foster an outgoing personality, and instill a love of the arts that would follow him into adulthood. Asheville Arts Center fits the bill perfectly. Trevor not only interacts with his peers in a non-competitive, open and accepting environment, but is also exposed to a wide variety of art forms from singing and dancing to drawing, painting, and sculpture. We love that he goes twice a week to a place where people hang around merely for the love of performing and enjoying the performing arts. We want Trevor to grow into a well rounded man, equally comfortable with sports, business, and the art world, and the Asheville Arts Center preschool program is the perfect start along that path.”

From Shannon, mother of Lotus:
“I had been searching for a pre-school for my two year old, Lotus, for over 6 months. I was looking for a program that would emphasize learning and self expression before 3 years of age. I was no stranger to Asheville Arts Center and when I learned of the Creative Arts Preschool, I knew it would be the right fit. Here, she would enjoy music, singing, dancing and all the other wonderful aspects that the Asheville Arts Center has been recognized for. I scheduled a tour that day.

I knew from the moment we met Ms. Mandy that this was the school for us. She immediately connected with Lotus by giving her individual attention during our visit. She was the shining light that would comfort, teach and care for my child as I would. Ms. Karen was there to ease my mind as a mother. I had a hard time leaving my child but she reassured me that Lotus needed the social interaction as much as I needed the time to devote to my business and to myself. The center offers a safe environment and plenty of different settings for the children to play in. I also like that the younger children share a part of their day with the older children. The real testimony was when Lotus came home from our tour and already referred to it as “my school”.

We not only found a great program but a great community. One that is safe, inviting and always supportive. From that morning on, Ms. Mandy’s smile has never dimmed but only shines brighter. Lotus has tripled her vocabulary and comes home happy and content singing songs and sharing stories. It has been an experience that we’ve built on. She now enjoys Mommy and Me ballet and will continue with Kindermusik next session. I am so thankful for what the Creative Arts PreSchool has provided for our family. They have made our lives richer for it.”

From Sandy, mother of Iris:

“We love the Asheville Arts Center because you make learning fun. Iris seems more confident and balanced since attending the Arts Center. She wants to go to school on Saturdays!”

More information on our Creative Arts Preschool can be found here:

Tell Me More!

Or by calling 828.253.4000

2 locations:  Asheville & Arden.

The Creative Arts Preschool program offers hands-on learning so that children can discover the wonderful world around them. Research studies show that exposing children to the Performing Arts helps improve critical thinking and develop self-confidence. Children naturally respond to music, dance, art and drama. At the Asheville Arts Center, our curriculum incorporates all of this, while allowing each child to excel in other areas as well, such as math, science and language.

Ask us about our drop-in Wednesdays for new families!

“After the Storm” Documentary at Asheville Arts Center

“After the Storm,” a documentary about a post-Katrina production of “Once on this Island,” was shown on November 14^th at 12:30pm and 4:00pm at the Asheville Arts Center thanks to a generous contribution from Volvo Construction Equipment.

A group of NYC filmmakers joined forces to head down to New Orleans after Katrina to produce a timely production of the musical “Once on this Island.” They auditioned all local kids, who were also all Katrina survivors.  Broadway actor Gerry McIntyre, a member of the original Broadway cast of “Once on this Island,” acted as director.

“We can’t be more pleased that the folks involved in the documentary are letting us share this story with the community,” said Chuck Taft, Asheville Arts Center Owner.  “It is an amazing story of hope and courage.  And a wonderful testament showing that art actually can help heal.”

The Asheville Arts Center’s Acting Academy is doing a production of “Once on this Island” in Asheville in December and taking it to the Jr. Theatre Festival in Atlanta in January.  The documentary gives them a first-hand look at kids, their own age, who have actually experienced what the characters in “Island” express.

Ann Mahoney, the Director of the Asheville Arts Center’s production of “Island” and a Hurricane Katrina survivor herself says, ‘“Once on this Island” centers around a group of Haitian peasants, who are eternally at the mercy of the wind and sea. In the course of the show they see several storms and floods, in which many huts are washed away. Needless to say, the Katrina survivors featured in “After the Storm” truly understood what being at the mercy of the wind and sea meant, as well as being too familiar with many huts washing away.”

“After the Storm,” which until now has only been shown in NY, will also include a live Q&A session after the first screening with Gerry McIntyre, who will also be working with the Asheville Arts Center’s Academy kids on Friday, during their “Island” rehearsal.

”After the Storm” is Directed by Hilla Medalia, Produced by Hilla Medalia, John and Ed Priddy, with Executive Producers: John and Ed Priddy, James Lecesne  and the Director of the show Once On This Island- Gerry McIntyre.

Check out the trailer!

Check Out Our New Academy Commercial!

Check out our Academy Acting Conservatory commercial on Youtube!

THE ACADEMY AT THE ASHEVILLE ARTS CENTER is a year-round, progressive conservatory for students with the commitment and desire to deepen their performing arts education in acting, singing and dance.  August 2009 marks the beginning of the Academy’s fourth year.  Current Academy students have earned lead roles in many community and school productions, paid voice-overs, and film projects.  Two concentrations of study are offered: the Musical Theatre Concentration and the Drama/ Acting Concentration.

Students in grades 4 – 12 (ages 10-18) are eligible and may be admitted by audition after submitting an application.  Younger students may qualify for our Junior Acting Company, a pre-Academy program for those 10 years old and younger.

The Academy’s “acting company” conservatory approach allows students and instructors to build a supportive, exciting, boundless learning group.  Together they’ll explore the tools and styles of performing on stage, film and TV.  Academy students are the core of our Children’s Theatre Workshop and annual Academy productions.

Come see The Songs, November 5-15!

The Songs: A Broadway Musical Revue runs November 5-15!

Don’t forget to make your reservations:  828.253.4000

“The Songs: An Asheville Arts Center Cabaret” is a musical revue combining some of the best musical theatre songs from the Broadway (and off-Broadway) stage.  With a cast of 29, the show consists of such classics as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun, “Brotherhood of Man” from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line and several more full cast numbers.  There are also several newer songs from the stage, including “King of the World” from Songs for a New World, “Why, God, Why?” from Miss Saigon and “What Ever Happened To My Part?” from Spamalot.

The show will be performed November 5-15, 2009 at the Asheville Arts Center and the audience will be immersed in the experience because of the intimacy provided by the space.  On Fridays and Saturday nights, a “friskier” 3rd act will be performed later in the evening.  This show is a benefit to the community theatre at Asheville Arts Center, to enable us to continue providing quality theatre to the WNC community.  Come to the show!

Here is the show poster we have hung up around Asheville, you may have seen it!! 

ALSO - don’t miss our November 14 screening of “After the Storm” – a documentary about a group of kids in New Orleans, post-Katrina, who put together an emotion-laden production of “Once on this Island.”   We will have original Broadway cast member, Gerry McIntyre, who also directed the New Orleans production. Click here for more information.

12:30pm documentary showing + Q&A with Mr. McIntyre, then a 4pm documentary showing.  Not to be missed!

Click here to view the Facebook invitation.

AAC Drama Teacher, Ann Mahoney, Talks About November 14th “After the Storm” Documentary

AAC Academy Acting Conservatory teacher, Ann Mahoney, discusses the November 14 screening of “After the Storm,” a documentary about a post-Katrina production of “Once on this Island,” directed by Gerry McIntyre.  Mr. McIntyre is an original cast member of the Broadway production of “Once on this Island.”

“”Once on this Island” centers around a group of Haitian peasants, who are eternally at the mercy of the wind and sea. In the course of the show they see many storms and floods, in which many huts are washed away. ” says Ann Mahoney. “Needless to say, these Katrina survivors truly understood what being at the mercy of the wind and sea meant, as well as being too familiar with many huts washing away.”

More information on the screenings is available on our blog, here.

More information on the documentary is available, here.

Reservations for the November 14th event can be made by calling 828.253.4000.  Reservations are highly recommended.

The Songs – Show Poster & Note from Director

The Songs: An Asheville Arts Center Cabaret opens November 5!    A musical revue spanning many decades of musical theatre,  our local cast is top-notch – the show is sure to be a smash hit. Click here to view more details on the Facebook invitation.

Director’s Note:

Working with all of these talented people has been a fantastic process.  I directed a similar show a few years back while living in Birmingham, AL and it proved to be a great success – not only was it well-attended, but it also made fast friends of all the folks involved.  That is what community theatre is truly all about, in my opinion:  Creating a show with all of these amazing people, donating their time, energy and voices and creating friendships that may not have otherwise been forged.

Musical theatre has been a part of my life for a very long time – it all started with my 3^rd grade music teacher pulling me out of class and asking me to perform “Where is Love” from Oliver in the school talent show – that experience addicted me for life.  I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to pull all of these people together to explore the many facets of musical theatre.  You’ll notice that there is a lack of set pieces, costumes and props – this show is about the performers themselves, first and foremost.  They are the artists, the paint and the canvas.  Enjoy the show and thanks again for supporting live theatre and the performing arts!

~S. Michael Wilson, Director/Creator

Asheville Arts Center Brings back Story Time with a “Ta Da” Twist

Asheville Arts Center is partnering with local Barnes & Nobles Book Stores to offer a unique interactive experience for children, blending literature with the arts.

“There is nothing more exciting than watching a child experience a book. And when they put on a costume or act out a scene, they become part of the story,” said Heather Taft, owner, Asheville Arts Center.  “This idea came about from reading to my daughter, Ceili.  For her, it’s not enough to tell her a story, she has to act, sing, dance or play music to it.”

And the Asheville Arts Center is pulling out all the props, from costumes to musical instruments to tutus- these kids will get to learn while having fun.  And the best part?  It’s free!

“Every parent wants their child to LOVE to read,” said Taft.  “Early exposure to active, engaging story times, helps to build future readers!”

Story Time begins Monday, Nov. 2^nd and runs through Valentines Day.  Books include Jungle Drums, Angelina Ballerina, Dr. Seuss and other children’s classics.

Asheville Arts Center is locally owned and is celebrating its 5^th year.  They provide Arts education in dance, music and theater for all ages.  They also offer Kindermusik and Creative Arts Preschool in their three Asheville locations.

(Story Times are at the Barnes & Noble on Tunnel Rd. the first MONDAY of the month, and the Barnes & Noble at Biltmore Park the second WED. & second SUN. of each month (Nov.- Feb.)  Please call 828.253.4000 for times and more information.)