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By Gina Malone<\/p>\n
The nonprofit Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA) has launched \u201cBehind the Curtain,\u201d a weekly podcast featuring conversations with performance artists and organization representatives in Western North Carolina. Janet Kopenhaver, formerly a podcast presenter for a similar program in the D.C. area, will host the 30-minute show, which began in January and will air each Thursday at noon.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone listens to podcasts these days so this show will provide a wonderful marketing opportunity for performing artists and organizations to publicize their productions, openings and events,\u201d says Kopenhaver, who now lives in Asheville. \u201cOne goal of producing this podcast is, obviously, to sell more tickets. One can never have enough marketing avenues. But we also will be having guests on to talk about the importance (health benefits, economic, etc.) of the arts which could also lead to more donors and corporate sponsors for these organizations. Finally, we also want to highlight the work of the ATA through this unique membership benefit because the more members and visibility ATA has, the more effectively it can advocate for the industry here in WNC.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ATA got its start about 10 years ago when Jeff Catanese began to foster collaboration among regional theaters via roundtables and panel discussions. After COVID and Hurricane Helene, events that were devastating for theaters, ATA was incorporated and Rose Pillmore came on board as a co-founder. The organization\u2019s mission is \u201cto unite, promote, strengthen, cultivate and celebrate the performing arts in Western North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because theaters have small marketing budgets, ATA\u2019s initiatives\u2014such as the new podcast\u2014aim to engage members and promote productions. Membership now numbers more than 120 individuals and more than 25 organizations, including Waynesville\u2019s Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART). \u201cThis podcast is an incredible platform for artists and theatre professionals to share their stories, highlight their upcoming projects and connect with audiences in a meaningful way,\u201d says HART\u2019s artistic director, Candice Dickinson. \u201cThe more we amplify these voices, the stronger and more vibrant our community becomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Catanese hopes the podcast helps broaden theater\u2019s appeal. \u201cWe would like everyone to know that theater is for them,\u201d says Catanese. \u201cSo many people still think that theater is stuffy or that one needs to have a history of \u2018high culture\u2019 to appreciate it. The truth is that there is a show playing, probably right now, that you would fall in love with. You just have to get out and see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
During her time with the Virginia nonprofit she founded, Embracing Arlington Arts, Kopenhaver compiled a list of 100 peer-reviewed studies proving the health benefits of the arts. \u201cIt has been shown that exposure and\/or participation in the arts helps people cope with not only the pandemic but the fear of isolation, quarantining again, stress, long-term COVID symptoms and more,\u201d she says. \u201cWNC then was hit with the devastating hurricane which terribly impacted\u2014again\u2014this industry. And yet the performing arts industry has survived and continues to entertain us, teach us, make us better neighbors and, yes, at times provide an escape for a while into the world of comedy, dance, music and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victoria Lamberth, managing artistic director for Hendersonville Theatre, looks forward to the connection and collaboration that both the podcast and ATA can foster across the region. \u201cWe are thrilled to be involved in a project focusing on local theatres sharing resources, celebrating local talent and highlighting the fantastic work happening here,\u201d she says. \u201cBy working together, I am confident we can grow a stronger arts community and reach even more people with the magic of theatre.\u201d<\/p>\n