Asheville – The curtain has finally risen for the Asheville Theater Alliance (ATA), which officially launched on August 28, 2024, after nearly a decade of quietly supporting local theater companies and artists. The community gathered at the Attic Salt Theatre Arts Space to celebrate this significant milestone and explore the new offerings aimed at enhancing the vibrant theater scene in Western North Carolina.
The Asheville Theater Alliance has long been a behind-the-scenes player in the local arts community, helping various performing arts organizations connect and collaborate. However, the challenges posed by the pandemic underscored the need for a more robust support system. “The decision to finally invest the necessary resources into ATA was made because the need is greater,” said Jeff Catanese, founder of ATA. “We’d like to keep WNC the vibrant theater region it has been and help all organizations that need a leg up to get one.”
The launch event featured a presentation from Catanese about the organization’s future direction. Attendees also heard from Edwin Arnaudin, a prominent arts writer and critic, who shared valuable insights on what it takes to receive a review in Western North Carolina. This engaging conversation was followed by a Q&A session, allowing community members to interact directly with industry experts.
One of the primary goals of the Asheville Theater Alliance is to foster collaboration among the diverse theater communities in the region. The newly launched website, ashevilletheateralliance.org, serves as a central hub for local theater organizations and artists, featuring directories of member organizations, individual performers, and administrators, along with performance, audition, and class calendars. “In these early days, we are providing directories of member organizations and individual performers,” Catanese explained. “We hope this will become the go-to calendar for theater enthusiasts and patrons alike.”
In addition to these resources, ATA plans to create forums where organizations can reach out to one another for collaboration and resource sharing. Looking ahead, Catanese envisions a lending library for props, costumes, and set pieces, as well as a shared space for rehearsals and performances. “Having that space will enable even the smallest theaters to have the same access as those with greater resources,” he said.
The launch event was not just an opportunity to learn about ATA’s new initiatives; it also provided a chance for community members to mingle and strengthen connections within the local theater scene. “It is hoped that this event will be the first of many that bring together the people who create great theater all across Western North Carolina,” Catanese noted.
The mission of the Asheville Theater Alliance is clear: to unite, promote, strengthen, cultivate, and celebrate the performing arts in Western North Carolina. By advocating for local theater communities and developing innovative services and programs, ATA aims to ensure a vibrant and economically healthy theater landscape in Asheville and beyond.
As the curtain rises on this new chapter for the Asheville Theater Alliance, it’s evident that the organization is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of local theater. With a commitment to collaboration and support for all performing arts organizations, ATA is ready to take center stage in Western North Carolina’s thriving arts scene.
For more information about the Asheville Theater Alliance and its initiatives, interested parties can contact Rose Pillmore or Jeff Catanese at (828) 367-9387 or via email at rose@ashevilletheateralliance.org or jeff@ashevilletheateralliance.org.