The Montford Moppets' Executive Director Rachel Cort and Artistic Director Ashleigh Goff were the latest guests on the "Behind the Curtains" weekly podcast. Find out what the impetus was behind the founding of the Moppets, what is the organization's mission, how the programs help the students health-wise, and how its classes have evolved over the past 19 years. Also get all the details about their 2025 productions, diverse classes being taught this year, and their exciting new Commedia dell'Arte class being offered. (And find out what Commedia dell'Arte is...)

The Artistic Director of the HART Theatre in WAynvesville Candice Dickinson came on the show to talk about their many diverse productions being offered this year from the main stage (7 productions all with strong female leads), studio season, cabarets and academy events (the education program) all being performed in their three venue spaces. Also learn about their unique audition process this year (for those who hate auditions) for ensembles and technical opportuniies on Feb. 4. (Regular auditions are Feb. 2 and 3.) Finally get all the details about their subscription packages and summer camps.

The Managing Artistic Director of the Hendersonville Theater appeared as a guest on the "Behind the Curtains" to update us on everything happening at the theater, information on the upcoming season of plays, concerts, play readings and subscription packages, how the theater uniquely supports new works, and how she ended up in the theater industry. Also get all the details about their upcoming production of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and how the onstage production was updated compared to the 1967 movie. 

The Co-Founders of the non-profit organization Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) joined us to talk about how the ATA came about, its mission and vision, goals for the near future, membership benefits (including matching arts professionals with performing arts organization decisionmakers), and its very unique and user-friendly Calendar of Events. Also learn about how each of them ended up in the theater industry, background on the Attic Salt Theatre Company, and how supporters and patrons can help performing arts groups which have been hit so hard by the pandemic and recent hurricane in Western North Carolina.

Scenic Designer Julie K. Ross appeared as part of our education series about the professionals not on stage that are critical to bringing a show to the stage. Hear what a Scenic Designer does, how she ended up in this career, how the profession has changed (and where projections fit in), and a prop that manh times ends up on her sets as an inside joke.

This episode provides the insid scoop on lighting and visual media design from CJ Barnwell. Find out how he ended up in this field, his process for designing, what exactly a lighting/visual media designer does and some challenges he has faced in the past. Also find out how the profession has evolved and changed over the years, as well as why the relatively new visual media component has become so important.

Technical Theater professional Sylvia J. Pierce appeared as a guest as part of our "behind the curtain" magic that makes a theatrical production happen. She enlightens us about what exactly a technical theater professional is responsible for, with particular insight into a props manager, how she got into the industry, what dramatic changes she has seen in the technical field over the last 46 years and some very entertaining stories about her experiences working with CNN, Eurovision and SNL.

Continuing with our "behind the curtain" chats with those theatrical professionals who make theater happen backstage, we welcomed to the show Sound Designer Bailey Gafeney. Find out what exactly a sound designer is responsible for, the tricks and insight into "underscoring" a production, what is her process for designing sound and some of the more challenging projects she has worked on. Also learn about some positive changes she has seen in the industry so far in her career.

Costume Designer Casey Watkins shared insight into what is involved with costumes and wardrobes in a theatrical production. Learn what she is responsible for in a show, what is her process for designing costumes, how does she research period pieces and some interesting tricks about costume designs that directly influence an audience member's experience and feelings toward the characters.

Emmett Till Trilogy and Racial Justice; Theaters Keep the Conversation Going Education Series - Episode 3: Antonio Michael Woodard, Actor considers portraying Emmett Till in the upcoming Till Trilogy of play series an honor and a responsibility to humanize this young man. He also firmly believes that theater is always been a catalyst for change and spurring conversations about important social issues in our nation. According to Antonio, these plays mirror exactly where we are today and the fact that people must remember this story so it cannot be repeated. His final thoughts: "You can't get where you're going until you look back." Very insightful and thought-provoking conversation with Antonio that we are glad to offer listeners.