Montford Park Players announces open call for 2017 staff

Seeking: Directors and Tech Crew for all shows of the 2017 Season

Montford Park Players, an Asheville theatrical tradition, is pleased to hold an open staff call for the 2017 season. MPP is seeking directors for all shows of the season, as well as technical staff, including stage managers, lighting designers, sound designers, board operators and all backstage crew. This call is open to all members of the community, regardless of level of experience. 

The 2017 season includes The Merchant of Venice and Othello as part of its indoor offerings, and Timon of Athens, The Taming of the Shrew, Troilus and Cressida, The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) and JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, a Montford Park Players first, during the summer at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. 

Directors should have a strong theatrical vision and the ability to communicate with and lead large groups of people in a fast-paced environment. Anyone applying for technical positions should have a basic understanding of the position for which they are applying, and also the ability to learn as they work. All positions will be filled by individuals of good humor and pleasant demeanor, who are eager to bring great theater to the Western North Carolina community. 

Montford Park Players is proud of their history of inviting members of the community into their fold. Many of the regulars of Montford’s stage, front and back, are those who, at one time, sought to learn new skills, create art and find a place to feel like they belong and where they can make a difference. This call continues that tradition. 

Although many of the position are paid, some are voluntary, but may include a stipend based upon experience. 

To apply for any position, please send a cover letter expressing your specific interest and  a resume via e-mail to scott.keel@montfordparkplayers.org. For more information about the various positions, please reach the Montford Park Players Managing Director, John Russell at john.russell@montfordparkplayers.org or (828) 254-5146. Deadline for submissions is March 1^st.

Local FASTSIGNS receives national award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    FASTSIGNS® of Asheville received national recognition out of more than almost 650  locations worldwide at the 2017 FASTSIGNS Convention, which was recently held in  Phoenix, Arizona. The locally owned and operated business received the CEO Circle Award, which  recognizes the top 25 centers with the highest sales volume in the U.S. and Canada between  Oct. 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016.  “We are truly honored to be recognized as a top performing center in the country,” said Ric  Davenport, franchisee of FASTSIGNS of Asheville. “This award reflects our entire team’s  dedication to helping businesses and organizations in the community tell their story, increase  awareness and achieve their goals.” FASTSIGNS of Asheville has been serving the area for 21 years. The center is located at  1202 Patton Ave and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “We thank our customers for their support and look forward to continue providing  comprehensive visual communications solutions in Asheville and the surrounding areas for  many years to come,” Davenport said.

WCU to host tourism conference - Feb. 27-28

Agenda and Speakers Announced for Region's Largest Tourism Conference! February 27-28, 2017 | Harrah's Cherokee Casino Register online at: tourism.wcu.edu  The Annual LEAD: Tourism Conference sponsored by Western Carolina University brings together tourism stakeholders from all across western North Carolina, East Tennessee, North Georgia and beyond to address issues that impact both the industry and communities. Pre-Conference Workshop on Monday, February 27 / 1pm - 5:30pm  Fundamentals of Operating a Tourism Development Authority (TDA)   Registration: $29 (with conference registration) -- View Agenda  Main Conference Agenda - Tuesday, February 28, 2017  Conference Theme:  Growing Partnerships with Outdoor Tourism and Local Communities 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM          Registration, Coffee and Pastries 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM          Welcome and Opening Remarks 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM        Keynote Address: Outdoor Travel Trends and Factors Impacting the Future Demand for Outdoor Adventure Travel. Learn the latest trends in travel and how the future of outdoor adventure tourism fits into the market demand for 2017 and beyond. Presenter: Berkeley Young, President, Young Strategies, Charlotte, NC 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM     Western NC County Tourism Economic Fact Sheets. Back by popular demand. Receive your customized county Tourism Economic Fact Sheet. Available for all 26 counties in Western NC. Compiled and reported by senior students in WCU's Hospitality and Tourism program in the College of Business.  | Dr. Steve Morse and WCU Hospitality & Tourism Students, Western Carolina University 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM    Networking Break with Vendors 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM      Concurrent Breakout Sessions. choose one of the following sessions to attend. Sessions repeated in the afternoon 1. Development and Branding a Small Destination for Big Outdoor Tourism: Two Fish Stories. Learn how two small rural destinations successfully developed, branded and marketed their community for outdoor tourism activities on a shoe-string budget. Presenters: Dennis Tumlin, Exe Director, Rhea Co. Economic & Tourism Council, Dayton, TN; Julie Spiro, Executive Director, Jackson Co. NC Chamber of Commerce; and Nick Breedlove, Director, Jackson Co. NC Tourism Development Authority, Sylva, NC. 2. The Power of Selling Outdoor Tourist Experiences over Geographic Places. Learn about the five essential strategies you need to know to successfully sell the outdoor tourist experience instead of selling the geographic place. Presenter: Roger Brooks (video), Seattle, WA 3. Developing, Branding and Marketing the NC Blueways Program and the Roanoke River Region. Learn how the NC Blueways program in western NC, and the Roanoke River Region in eastern NC were successfully developed across multiple county lines to showcase the growing outdoor tourism market across NC. Presenters: Betty Huskins, Exec. Director, Smoky Mountain Host, and Executive Committee, NC Blueways, Franklin, NC (Western NC). Carol Shields, Executive Director, Roanoke River Partners, Scotland Neck, NC (Eastern NC) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM        Networking Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM           Breakout Sessions (concurrent sessions repeated) 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM           Riding the Wave of Demographic Change: Preparing for Future Outdoor Tourism Guests. Like many industries, outdoor recreation in western North Carolina is facing a massive change in audience demographics over the next two decades.  Learn about these changes and how to prepare for outdoor tourism guests than may look very different in the future.  Chris Cavanaugh, President, Magellan Strategy Group, Asheville, NC. 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM           Networking Break with Vendors 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM           Developing Effective Tourism Partnerships With Outdoor                                          Tourism Providers and Communities. Since most tourists seeking outdoor activities don't know and don't care where county lines are, learn how the most effective branding and marketing campaigns are well designed partnerships among multiple county and community-based regional tourism marketing groups. John Whisenant, Director of Tourism, Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association, Nashville, TN 4:00 PM                                Conference concludes Interested in promoting your tourism related business or service? Vendor/Exhibitor tables are available. WHAT'S INCLUDED?  A vendor booth registration of $175.00 includes the following: One 6ft table (draped) 10 x 10 booth space with pipe and drape dividers Lunch 1 conference registration Free Wi-fi Limited electricity Vendors can set up on Monday afternoon or before by 8:30 on Tuesday. Reserve a Vendor Table All vendors are subject to approval and should have direct relevance to the tourism industry of the region. Food & drinks sales along with amplified audio are not permitted. Who Attends the LEAD: Tourism Conference?   The largest represented groups are hospitality providers, local governments and tourism authorities Very special thanks to our sponsors: Western Carolina University Office of Professional Growth and Enrichment 69 E. University Way, Cullowhee, NC 28723 Phone: 828-227-7397  |   learn.wcu.edu