July Events at ACT

Asheville Community Theatre July Calendar Overview

• DramaRama - Kick-Off Celebration on Saturday, July 7 at 2:30 pm
• DramaRama - Costume Drama: A Fashion Show on Monday, July 9 at 7:30 pm at the Renaissance Hotel Asheville
• DramaRama - The Best of Listen to This on Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 pm
• DramaRama - Theatre Trivia Night on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:30 pm at Olive or Twist
• DramaRama - Grease Sing-a-long Movie Night on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pm at the Fine Arts Theatre
• DramaRama - The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show Junior on Friday, July 13 at 7:30 pm
• DramaRama - The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show on Saturday, July 14 at 7:30 pm
• Volunteer Orientation Session on July 17, 2012 at 6:30 pm
• Listen to This: Stories in Performance on July 26, 2012 at 7:30 pm

Calendar Specifics

Asheville Community Theatre is debuting DramaRama, an entire week of unique, affordable, fun events that redefines fundraising for the downtown theatre. DramaRama events will run from Saturday, July 7^th through Saturday, July 14^th, with seven different events including a kick-off party honoring ACT groundbreakers, a fashion show, and two variety shows.  Tickets are available for all events and range from $10 to $25.

DramaRama - Kick-Off Celebration: On Saturday, July 7 at 2:30 pm, DramaRama kicks off with a staged reading of Last Stop, Old, a new play written by Patsy Clarke in collaboration with Ellen Landau and directed by Arnold Wengrow.  Mrs. Clarke starred in the inaugural production of Dark of the Moon at ACT in 1946 and was an integral part of the theatre, along with her husband Harry, for decades.  Last Stop, Old stars Hazel Robinson and Rob Storrs in a cast of 11.  Cake and champagne reception will follow staged reading.  Tickets are $20.00.

DramaRama - Costume Drama: A Fashion Show: on Monday, July 9 at 7:30 pm at the Renaissance Hotel Asheville, local designers will create a unique look using materials in one of four categories: feathers, floral, paper, or tape in this Project Runway-esque show. Winners receive cash prizes ($500 for the overall winner, and $250 for the winner of each category) – with audience members voting on the top designs.  Tickets are $10.00. Cash bar opens at 6:30 pm.

DramaRama - The Best of Listen to This: Tom Chalmers hosts an all-star cast of Listen to This favorites for an unforgettable night of storytelling. Though it’s usually performed in 35below, we’re going to need more space for these heavy hitters – join us on the Mainstage for this special event! Performers include Waylon Wood, Betsy Puckett, Carla Pridgen, and Rod Murphy.  The Best of Listen to This is Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 pm.  All tickets are $10.00.

DramaRama - Theatre Trivia Night:  Calling all theatre buffs!  Michael McMurtrey hosts Asheville’s first Theatre Trivia Night at Olive or Twist on Wednesday, July 11.  Get a team together to answer questions about all things theatre – from local stages to Broadway and beyond! Almost every local theatre has donated pairs of tickets as prizes, and whoever wins the whole shebang will win tickets to ACT, NC Stage, SART, HART, and Diana Wortham! Anyone can play – just bring $5 to enter.

DramaRama - Grease Sing-a-long Movie Night:  ACT is showing the Sing-a-Long version of Grease (handily, the lyrics are printed on the screen) at the Fine Arts Theatre on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 pm.  Costumes are strongly encouraged – think anything from letterman’s jackets to poodle skirts to a simple cardigan and cuffed jeans!  Side note: this will be the last 35mm film shown at the Fine Arts Theatre as they're switching to digital immediately afterwards.  Tickets are $10.

DramaRama - The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show Junior: Performers as young as 9 show their stuff in The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show – Junior Version on Friday, July 13 at 7:30 pm on ACT’s Mainstage.  These future rock stars, modern dancers, magicians, and belters prove just how much talent can be found in Asheville!  Winners are determined by judges’ scores and audience votes (one dollar equals one vote). Plus, snack on delicious ice cream from The Hop!  Tickets $10-$15. 

DramaRama - The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show: On Saturday, July 14 at 7:30 pm, ACT unveils a variety show of the best sort.  Funny, awe-inspiring, and extremely entertaining, this show is a perfect sampler of Asheville’s best.  Featuring a band led by Aaron Price and hosted by Darr Conradson and Scottie McCall, The Good Old Fashioned Variety Show showcases acts from incredible gospel singing to a jaw-dropping roller-skating routine.  Winners are determined by judges’ scores and audience votes (one dollar equals one vote). On the ACT Mainstage. Tickets $25.

Volunteer Orientation Session: Asheville Community Theatre will hold a Volunteer Orientation Session on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 6:30 pm at the downtown theatre.  All who are interested in volunteering at ACT are invited to attend.  No previous experience in theatre is required to volunteer.  The Orientation Session should last no longer than an hour and will include a tour of the theatre.

Listen to This: Stories in Performance will be hosted by Tom Chalmers on Thursday, July 26, 2012 in 35below at 7:30pm.  Join Asheville’s number one comedian as he hosts true stories told by local comedians, actors and people just like you.  July’s theme is: amusement park stories.  Should be a scream!  All tickets $10.00.

For more information on any of the listed events, please visit the Asheville Community Theatre Web site at www.ashevilletheatre.org.