Asheville – Heather Maloy, founder and creative director of the Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, has created “Appalachian Phoenix,” an incredible piece that honors many local heroes who risked their lives to help the community during Hurricane Helene. This marks her 22nd season of bringing critically acclaimed contemporary ballet to Asheville. The ballet is a groundbreaking production rooted in the rich and varied musical traditions found in Western North Carolina. “Appalachian Phoenix” will take the stage at 8 p.m. at the Diana Wortham Theatre, located at 18 Biltmore Avenue, on July 24, 25, and 26. It is a celebration of community, resilience, and hope. Frequent attendee Judy Hamil states, “After twenty-five years, Terpsicorps never disappoints. Terpsicorps’ roots here is one thing that makes Asheville great! In addition to world-class dance, Terpsicorps demonstrates in NC arts through creativity in sets, costumes, and music.”
As Maloy explained, “Choosing the individual heroes for Appalachian Phoenix was deeply personal. We wanted to highlight individuals whose actions during and after Hurricane Helene showcased the resilience and strength of Western North Carolina. The majority of the people we chose were nominated by the community, and their stories have truly shaped the heart of this production. We wanted their experiences to be woven into the fabric of the performance, honoring not just their heroic actions but also the everyday acts of kindness that sustained so many during such a challenging time.” Articles, videos, links, and more can be found giving the history of some of these heroes. This can be found online—Hurricane Heroes: https://www.terpsicorps.org/heroic-stories. These are heartwarming stories, with many of them attending one of the performances.

Terpsicorps’ unique summer-only performance season in Asheville and Winston Salem gives the company access to exceptional dancers. The agility of their movements amazes and surprises at every turn. This production brings back Morgan Stillman, Jeff Ewing, Cecily Khuner, and Garret McNally, all of whom danced major roles in 2024 productions. New this season are talented dancers Phoebe Magna, Alexandra Zakharchenko, Tyler Diggs, and Lucia Lorenzo. The vibrant and athletic tour de force on stage showcases the strength and artistry of these Terpsicorps dancers. Audiences will witness an unforgettable blend of artistry, heart, and humor.
Western North Carolina is a mecca of musical talent, and Terpsicorps is bringing together five remarkable artists from the region to create the original score, which fuses old-time, bluegrass, Afro-Appalachian folk, hip-hop, funk, blues-rock, and Latin rhythms. Collectively, they have performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Merle Watson Festival and BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel. They have shared the stage with artists like John Medeski, DJ Logic, Ziggy Marley, the North Mississippi Allstars, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. The score, composed by Jeff Schmitt along with River Guerguerian and Chris Rosser of Free Planet Radio, blends the past and present into a dynamic, inspiring, and evocative composition. They will be joined by vocalist Datrian Johnson and Madelyn Ilana on fiddle and bass.
Maloy has been preparing the show’s stage backdrop for some time by collecting used water bottles. She envisions the bottles as powerful symbols—representing both the life-saving nourishment they provided after Hurricane Helene and, in stark contrast, the lingering waste left behind. “By transforming these bottles into art, Appalachian Phoenix is drawing attention to the environmental toll of single-use plastics while celebrating community resilience and the power of recycling,” says Maloy. The immersive set will be brought to life through lighting that mimics Appalachian sunrises, waterfalls, and mountain vistas, honoring the region’s natural beauty.
Maloy aimed to collect 8,000 bottles but managed to receive almost 20,000. Around 15,000 of these will be utilized to create a remarkable translucent backdrop that will frame the choreography and reflect abstracted images of WNC projected onto its surface. In partnership with Asheville GreenWorks, Terpsicorps is raising awareness about environmental stewardship and community action. GreenWorks will be present in the lobby for each performance to share their mission and offer resources on sustainability.
Known for its innovative, thought-provoking, and highly entertaining performances, Terpsicorps once again captivates and inspires the communities of Western North Carolina with “Appalachian Phoenix.” For more information and to purchase tickets to attend, visit www.terpsicorps.org.