The Wonders of Long Form Improv Comedy: A Workshop

Looking to experience and expand on your improvisational skills? Come make stuff up and have fun! We'll explore long-form scenic improv.

There will be:

* Games and exercises* Scenic editing tools * Idea-generating techniques* Finding what is honest and true to the scene...* Lots of "yes and"ing* Good looking people ;)

Workshop cost: $10 (or $7 if you bring a haiku)

About your teacher, Kristen Aldrich:

I have about 6 years of improv performance experience in Boston and New York. I studied and performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, have performed around NYC and Boston in long-form improv, musical improv and sketch groups, and have done festivals such as the Del Close Marathon, The Boston Improv Festival, The North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival and the Providence Improv Festival.

for more details:

kristen dot aldrich at gmail dot com

AUDITIONS for Naked Girls Reading

It's that time again!

We will be holding AUDITIONS for Naked Girls Reading 5 on January 4th and 5th from 7-9pm.

SHOW DATES are January 27th and 28th.

Theme is Travel!

Email anamcaratc@gmail.com to reserve and audition time-slot or for more info.

AUDITIONS for We Are the 99%

January 18-- Group A: 6pm-7:45pm, Group B: 8:15-10pm

January 20-- Group C: 6pm-7:45pm, Group D: 8:15-10pm

Call 828.545.3861 or email anamcaratc@gmail.com to reserve an audition time.

About Auditions:

Auditions will be in the form of a workshop. Come prepared to move, play, think, and create! Wear movement clothes, and bring your open mind! If you have a headshot or recent photo and a resume, please bring that too.

We Are the 99% will be ensemble-created under the direction of Anam Cara's Artistic Director Erinn Huntley.

About the Show:

Anam Cara Theatre Company will present We Are the 99%, a devised performance exploring themes related to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Like the Occupy movement itself, We Are the 99% will resist easy definition, and refuse to directly answer the question, “What are you about?” Instead, this performance will use language and movement to break down our categories of understanding the world we live in and perhaps suggest that another world is possible.

Based on a script, by Kimberly Hartman, consisting of text and images related to the Occupy movement, director Erinn Huntley will guide ensemble members through a collaborative process of creation that will result in a thought-provoking performance in hopes to spark conversation and action in our community and abroad.

Show Dates:

March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 30*, 31*

*denotes possible performances TBD later.

Please join us at our holiday open house!

Shoppe Hours

In addition to a theatre company, we have an awesome shoppe with locally hand-made and vintage goods! We have lots of great holiday gifts available for purchase this season. Stop in and see us!

Current shoppe hours:

Wednesday: 3pm-6pm
Thursday: 3pm-6pm
Friday: noon to 5pm
Saturday: noon to 5pm
And also by appointment!
(and any other time you see our open flag out)

Call 828-545-3861

Thank you for shopping locally!

Black Friday and holiday shopping!

Shop locally this holiday season! We have lots of great gifts in store! Be sure to check out relylocal.com for printable coupons!

The Anam Cara Collective will be open the following hours this weekend:

Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 9am-4pm

Things I'd Rather Not Say

Ensemble-created, under the direction of Samantha Johns, inspired by text by Savannah Reich.

A performance experience called Things I'd Rather Not Say.

Opens this Friday, 11-11-11!

Just five performances, so get your tickets now.

Performances are November 11, 12, 13, 18, and 19, all at 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Cash bar available before the shows.

Show explores many themes of human relationships.

Break-ups * love * violence * communication break-downs * sex * anger * sadness * confusion * passion * humor * fear * and so much more.

You don't want to miss this one!

Ensemble: Kristen Aldrich, Kimberly Hartman, Erinn Huntley, Ava King, and Michael Taylor.

Crew: Sarah Ballard

Photos by Peter Lutz and Michie Blevins

A big thanks to our many volunteers, supporters, and amazing board members who make this all possible!

Fall Play

Hey Folks! We just wanted to update you and let you know that things are going FANTASTICALLY with our fall play. The working title has already changed to Things I'd Rather Not Say and it could change again as the play evolves. Director Samantha Johns has chosen a cast of 5 people who will work to create the performance. The ensemble is as follows: Kristen Aldrich, Kimberly Hartman, Erinn Huntley, Ava King, and Michael Taylor. Save the dates for the shows--you won't want to miss this one! November 11, 12, 13, 18, and 19, all at The Anam Cara Collective at 203 Haywood Road.

Upcoming Auditions!

Don't forget that we have auditions coming up on October 8th and 9th for Understanding Everything All At Once! Call 828.545.3861 or email anamcaratc@gmail.com to sign up.

We are also looking for a guitar player/singer for the show, so call or email if you're interseted in that as well!

Hounded, a Halloween weekend performance!

Need something to do for Halloween weekend?

David Novak performs Hounded at Anam Cara Theatre Company.

Don't be afraid. . .be disturbed!

In this new spoken-word performance, David Novak combines shreds and tatters of world stories, disturbing personal experiences and the dark musings of a hounded imagination.

"I feared the phantom dog at the foot of my bed, but I feared the 'grabbers' even more."

Hounded is inspired by Novak's own true story of encountering a phantom dog that stood as guardian between him and a terrifying realm of shadow figures. During the program we meet other phantoms and follow different encounters with the other world, including one in which Novak shares a tavern visit with Death. '

"We drank nothing. . .a good toast when you're drinking with Death."

Funny, insightful, and disturbing.

Dates and Times: Saturday and Sunday, October 29 and 30, both at 8pm

Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Call 828.545.3861 or email anamcaratc@gmail.com for ticket reservations.

Cash bar available during both shows.

House opens at 7pm. Come have a drink and check out our shoppe at The Anam Cara Colletive!

We're Looking for an ASM

Hey Theatre Folks! Do you have Stage Managing experience? Do you NOT have Stage Managing experience but want to gain some? Do you just want to be involved with something really cool? If so, email anamcaratc@gmail.com! We are looking for an Assistant Stage Manager (or at least someone to fill in when our Stage Manager is out of town and to help run the technical aspects of the show) for Understanding Everything All At Once. Must be available Nov 3-9 (weekday evenings and all day Saturday and Sunday).

Storytelling Event at Anam Cara: Presented by HOWL

NOVELTY: scandalous things both old and new

Sept. 2 at 7pm
@The Anam Cara Collective
203 Haywood Rd., West AVL

Come see HOWL (a storytelling trio featuring the narrative talents of Cathy Jo Janssen, Fynn Crooks, and Danielle Bellone) in their Anam Cara debut! We'll tell some new stories, bust out some oldies, and have a generally novel time. Come laugh with us (or at us, depending)!

Questions? Contact storyhowl@gmail.com
Suggested donation: $8

Upcoming AUDITIONS for an Original Piece!

Anam Cara Theatre Company announces it's next play! Understanding Everything All At Once (**working title, subject to change as the piece evolves**) will be an ensemble-created piece, directed by guest director out of Minneapolis, Samantha Johns.

Show Dates:

November 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 at 8pm


About the Show:

A collaborative performance-collage created with human bodies and minds. Visionary director Samantha Johns will guide a group of performers through her workshop process of creation with text, objects, thoughts and play. We begin with text by Savannah Reich, a script that is not so much a script as it is a treasure box of ideas and images, a grab bag of words, or a diving board. From this starting point the group will collectively find their way to a piece of theatre concerned with yearning towards something you can't see, living with desperate needs you can't understand, and not learning from your mistakes. Working primarily in the composition of games, assignments, and improvisation and moving toward a fixed form.

Director's Bio:

Samantha Johns is a graduate from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Theater Arts. Johns divides her time between directing, acting, choreography, scenic designing and scenic painting. Johns has worked with such companies as Bedlam Theatre, Jungle Theater, History Theater, Penumbra Theater, Flaneur Theatre, Four Humors Theatre, CatFish, and Anagram Painting. Director of Dali's Liquid Ladies [#1 in Daily Planet's top ten productions of 2009], and co-creator of The Thing [#1 in Daily Planet's top ten productions of 2010] with George McConnell and crew. Recently accepted in the Walker Art Center Choreographer's Evening. She is currently trying to find a future for this thing we call Theatre. Audition Info: Sat., Oct 8th 12-4pm [Group A: 12pm-1:45pm and Group B: 2:15pm-4pm] Sun., Oct 9th 6-10pm [Group A: 6pm-7:45pm and Group B: 8:15pm-10pm] Location: The Anam Cara Collective at 203 Haywood Rd., West Asheville Auditions will be in the form of a workshop. Come in movement clothes and be ready to play and think! Bring a headshot or recent photo if you are able. Call 828-545-3861 or email anamcaratc@gmail.com to reserve your audition time.

Naked Girls Reading 4

That's right! It's time again for Naked Girls Reading. This will be Anam Cara's 4th production of Naked Girls Reading-Asheville. This time our theme will be "Food." Show dates are October 7th and 8th at 8pm. Save the dates! More info to come.

Edge of the West Fest

Come check out some awesome local businesses in the "up-and-coming East-West Asheville!" The Anam Cara Collective and Hip Thrift are teaming up to hold a FREE community festival for our sweet little section of the neighborhood between the River Arts District and West Asheville Main. There will be music, hula-hooping demos, face-painting, games, cupcakes, an outdoor market, thrifty sales, and more! There will also be a free clogging workshop with Ellie Grace at noon inside The Anam Cara Collective, so come get your dance on! Spread the word! We hope to see you there.

Rely Local

Purchase a Rely Local Asheville rewards card at The Anam Cara Collective for $16! Get 10% off Anam Cara Theatre tickets, and great deals at other local businesses, such as Green Light Cafe, Westside Shears, Noi's Thai Kitchen, Dr. Dave's Automotive, and more! See http://www.relylocal.com/asheville-north-carolina for more details, and for a coupon for $5 off of a $30 or more merchandise purchase.

Naked Girls...TAKE 3!

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LGBTQA Prom for Adults!

Wow, that's a long acronym!

**Lesbian*Gay*Bisexual*Transgender*Queer*Allies** you are all invited!

Did you miss prom or have an awkward experience because you brought someone of the same gender to prom? Because you don't like to see people be excluded? Thought prom was just really lame? Want to meet more queer-friendly people? Maybe you really liked prom and you want an excuse to get dressed up and get your dance on! These are all great reasons to come to Prom at The Anam Cara Collective, hosted by Anam Cara Theatre Company!

Guests must be 18 or older to attend. Admission is $7 per person and there will be a cash bar for beer and wine. Must be 21 with a valid ID to purchase drinks. Prom photos will be taken and snacks will be provided.

King and Queen will be chosen too!

Please RSVP to Laura Davis at 828.423.7025 or email anamcaratc@gmail.com to reserve tickets. Space is limited, so please reserve if you want to be sure to attend.

Naked Girls Reading, again! May 20 and 21!

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Big Love

Hourly Space for Rent

Looking for an affordable place to teach your dance, theatre, art, or yoga class? A space to hold your next birthday party? Small performance? Board meeting? If so, come check out The Anam Cara Collective at 203 Haywood Road in West Asheville! We have space for rent by the hour, at super affordable rates.

Space costs $20 for the first hour of each day and just $10 for each additional hour. We also have event packages which vary depending on the size of the event and whether or not you want to use our cash bar (beer and wine only).

Email anamcaratc@gmail.com or stop by during store hours and check us out!

Current shoppe hours are as follows:

Mondays 6pm-7pm
Tuesdays 6pm-7pm
Wednesdays 4:30pm-7pm
Thursdays 4:30pm-7pm
Fridays 5pm-7pm
Saturdays 10am-6pm
Sundays noon-5pm

Big Love Cast!

We're excited to announce the cast for our next production!

Anam Cara Theatre Company presents Big Love, a play by Charles Mee

Directed by Adam Blake Wright

Starring. . .

Peyton Siler Jones as Lydia
Kimberly Hartman as Olympia
Andrea Petty as Thyona
Ava King as Bella and Eleanor
Adam Wright as Piero
Ellie Grace as Leo (week one)
Adam Wright as Leo
Erinn Huntley as Giuliano
Michael Taylor as Constantine
David Fesiuk as Oed
Skyler Goff as Nikos

Show dates are April 15th and 16th at 8pm, 17th at 2pm, and 22nd and 23rd at 8pm. There will be no matinee performance on April 24th.

Clogging and Step Dancing Classes with Ellie Grace!

(Blog Post Written by Ellie Grace)

"If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution!"

Spring is on its way and it is definitely time to start dancing. I am beginning an exciting series of classes in March at a wonderful new space in West Asheville (Anam Cara Collective). Come dance with me or just help me spread the word!

Cape Breton Step Dancing
...Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30
March 9th-April 13th
Sliding scale: 6-week session for $60-$100
Class description: Come explore the driving rhythms and beautiful style of this percussive dance from Cape Breton Island in Canada. No experience is necessary. All of the steps will be clearly broken down and you might amaze yourself with the exciting footwork you have mastered by the end of the class!

Beginning Appalachian Clogging
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30
March 9th-April 13th
Sliding scale: 6-week session for $60-$100
Class description: Now is your chance to get “feet-on” experience in Appalachian clogging! With clear, step-by-step instruction and lots of encouragement from your teacher, you will be making music with your feet in no time at all. No experience needed!

Pre-registration is required, so visit www.leelaandelliegrace.com and click on the "Teaching" tab for more information or to register. If you have little questions or big worries, do not hesitate to be in touch: (573) 239-0430 or ellie@gracefamilymusic.com.

More About Big Love

Anam Cara Theatre Company is proud to announce it's next production, Big Love by Charles Mee. Written in 2003, Big Love is about fifty brides who flee to a manor in Italy to avoid marrying their fifty cousins. The play modernizes the plot of the Greek play The Supplicants, written by Aeschylus circa 470 BCE, and infuses it with references to pop culture, classic literature, and modern philosophy while simultaneously examining the ever-shifting relationship between masculinity, femininity, homosexuality, marriage, and societal expectations. Theatrically, Big Love demands a messy, frenzied, and violent Viewpoints-based performance that is populated with broken plates, cake fights, dance sequences, and raunchy strip-downs, exemplifying Mee’s demand that this is not merely “a text with brief dances and other physical activities added to it, but rather a piece in which the physical activities and the text are equally important to the experience.”

Auditions will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 from 7-9pm at the Anam Cara Collective, 203 Haywood Road. We are looking for males and females of ANY age. No monologue is needed, as the non-traditional audition process will rely on cold readings and Viewpoints exercises. Big Love is an ensemble show that includes song, dance, music, visual art, clowning, and performance art, promising a unique experience for actors and designers alike. Performances will be held the weekends of April 15 and April 22. Spread the word to ANY actors, designers, choreographers, or musicians you think might be interested! Call 828-545-3861 for additional information.

Many thanks,

Adam Blake Wright

Director, Big Love

Upcoming Auditions!

We've just finished a very successful run of Naked Girls Reading! Thanks to all of those who were a part of the show and to all of those who came to see us! We greatly appreciate your support.

We're keeping the ball rolling--next up are auditions for Big Love, a play by Charles Mee.

Please help us spread the word! We're looking for performers, as well as volunteers to help us out.

Naked Girls Reading!

That's right, it's exactly as it sounds. This critically acclaimed show (which began in Chicago and has been seen in major cities across the country) is making it's southern debut in Asheville February 12th!

Naked Girls Reading will be our first show in the new space on Haywood, playing 2 weekends. We've got a cash bar (beer and wine) available and the nights are sure to sell out, so buy your tickets early! Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the theatre or Firestorm Cafe) or $12 at the door, or you can e-mail anamcaratc@gmail.com to reserve. Hope to see you there!

A Note of Thanks From the Artistic Director

It is with incredible gratitude that I step into this upcoming week. After many hours of hard work, trips downtown for permits and licenses--and planning, dreaming, and scheming, we are about to open our doors to The Anam Cara Collective. The Collective encompasses both our art consignment shoppe and our theatre company, which if you ask me, is a perfect combination. We will celebrate our grand opening with a concert by Nikki Talley, then will follow with two weekends of performances of Naked Girls Reading.

As the calendar finally approaches our opening celebration, I feel as though I must make an attempt to express my gratitude, although words will never capture it all! From driving around looking at buildings and rooms to rent, to making countless "To Do" lists over Pisgah Pales at the Westville Pub, to phone calls to New Hampshire, to bruised and bloody knuckles and sore muscles from building stud walls and climbing ladders, to frozen water pipes and non-flushing toilets, to applying fresh paint, to shopping in free piles and thrift stores, and to just standing back, smiling, and breathing a deep breath of accomplishment--I am grateful. I am blessed with many dear friends who have helped me see this project to fruition, and I cannot believe how incredible it all looks--and feels.

This weekend was especially awesome. So many things were accomplished! The weather was beautiful--sunny and in the 60s!. Friends and curious neighbors stopped by to say hi and see what we were all about. In fact, the folks at Short Street Cakes came by with a box of delicious cupcakes to welcome us to the neighborhood, and Jason Sanford stopped by to take some photos for his AsheVegas/Citizen Times blog.

I have to say though, my mind keeps going back to the moment I met my partner in all of this, nearly three years ago. I have this vivid memory of when she caught my eye at the Westville Pub and my friend Kim introduced the two of us. I knew from that moment that my world would never be the same. We've since shared our dreams, aspirations, ideas, and ideals with one another, without knowing that this is what the future held for us. With simply a deep connection and incredible trust, Stacey and I dove into this crazy project together about five months ago, and here we are! Two weeks ago she drove here from New Hampshire with her van (Janis) packed to the brim with items to fill our shoppe/theatre space, and you would not believe what we've done on our teeny tiny budget. Never underestimate the minds of two passionate, creative, and Earth-minded people! I am in constant awe of our ability to work together to create amazing things. More than anything though, I am grateful for Stacey's faith in me and willingness to take this crazy, exciting, beautiful journey by my side (okay and part time from New Hampshire..haha).

While reflecting on gratitude, it would be absurd for me not to mention Laura Davis and Steph Mann in all of this. Their love, support, and willingness to do just about anything I asked of them is incomparable. I am constantly amazed and inspired by these wonderful women and their generosity with their time and patience with me and this vision of mine. I am grateful to have them in my life. (And I’m well aware that there aren’t many people who could put up with me to the extent that they have, too! Let’s just say I’m not always friendly when I’m stressed!)

And before this starts sounding like an acceptance speech at the Grammys or something, I just want to say thank you again to the many people who have helped hang flyers, paint walls, build and sew things, spread the word, and so much more! I clearly could go on and on.

But, without further ramblings, I hope you will join us Saturday night for our opening, come see some shows, and buy some cool hand-made artistic items. Don’t forget to shop locally whenever you can and help keep Asheville the most amazing mountain town in the world!

LET’S MAKE ART HAPPEN!

Peace,
Erinn Huntley

Artistic Director

Call for Artists

Calling all artists & crafters! New consignment art shoppe opening at our space in W. Avl. Looking for both art and craft- wall art, greeting cards, photography, prints, crafts and more. The more unique the better! We're looking for locally made, reasonably priced wares for gifts, souvenirs, and YOU. Any questions or if you would like a packet of info about the shop, please send us a line.