Asheville youth theater

Kayla Cody’s “Swords, Lights and Nuts” isn’t your typical “Nutcracker” story

March 14, 2023 March 10, 2023

Meet Our One Act playwrights: Kayla Cody's "Swords, Lights and Nuts"

This isn't your typical "Nutcracker" story.

We asked our One Act writers and directors to share a bit about their works with us. Here’s writer/director Kayla Cody on “Swords, Lights and Nuts.”

I’ve always loved telling stories and making my own worlds with a paper and pencil and my voice. I’ve always loved books and the way I could get sucked into the story. When I write plays, hopefully I can make a story the audience will get sucked into using my favorite way of writing: dialogue!

I decided to do a “Nutcracker” story because I always wondered what “The Nutcracker” was supposed to be about. Then my sister had the idea that “Hey, what if the (first) battle with the mice to big of a deal, and Clara gets taken?” That’s what I went off of. I decided a play would be a good way to adapt it because we’re used to seeing the ballet version. This way keeps it on a stage.

Since I’ve moved a lot, I’ve done theater all over the country, and I’m constantly writing and directing plays and my sisters and I do together. Recently I’ve been in four plays with Asheville Performing Arts Academy, and this summer I directed a performance of my play “A Midsummer’s Doughnut” at a family reunion. “Swords, Lights and Nuts” is my first time directing a show that is open to the public!

I hope to learn about how to direct a group of people in a way that makes everyone feel good and gets amazing things done together.

Audition for “Swords, Lights and Nuts” and our other five One Act shows on March 18!

Graham Esmon looks to the future in Kurt Vonnegut’s “2BR02B”

March 13, 2023 March 9, 2023

Meet Our One Act playwrights: Graham Esmon's take on "2BR02B"

Everything is swell in Vonnegut's "2BR02B." Or is it?

We asked our One Act writers and directors to share a bit about their works with us. Here’s writer/director Graham Esmon on adapting Kurt Vonnegut’s “2BR02B.”

I very much enjoy Kurt Vonnegut’s distinct writing style. My favorite book of his is “Slaughterhouse 5.” I chose to put Vonnegut’s “2BR02B” to stage as it is a simple but extremely effective story that shows how a seeming utopia never functions for the needs or wishes of everyone under it. It also has a small cast, which is good for a One Act.

I have previously adapted and directing a short film version of “August Heat” by WF Harvey for the Moppets 2021 horror/comedy anthology show. I have written narratives for certain classes as well. This is my first play.

Graham Esmon has been a Moppet for five years. They previously directed the short film “August Heat” with the Moppets. Their pastimes include: magnets.

Audition for “2BR02B” and our other five One Act shows on March 18!

Hunter Miyan puts a new twist on a class tale in “A Holiday Song”

March 10, 2023 March 10, 2023

Meet Our One Act playwrights: Hunter Miyan's "A Holiday Song"

A new twist on a classic holiday tale

We asked our One Act writers and directors to share a bit about their works with us. Here’s writer/director Hunter Miyan on “A Holiday Song.”

I was inspired to adapt “A Christmas Carol” because I’ve always loved watching all the different movie adaptations of it. I figured it would be fun to see what I would do with the story!

I have written other stories before, but this is my first play. I’m glad it came out so well! I love writing because it’s a way that I can express all the ideas and stories in my head and share them with other people.

Hunter Miyan is a new Moppet and a theater veteran! Hunter, 14, has been acting since age 8, including roles in “Peter Pan,” “Aladdin” and “The Emperor’s New Hair.” Our One Act Festival will be Hunter’s directorial debut!

Audition for “A Holiday Song” and our other five One Act shows on March 18!

Meet Phin, our Moppet of the Month!

February 8, 2023 February 1, 2023

Phineas Price has range. He’s played everyone from Murderer #1 in “Richard III” to Bob Cratchit in “A Christmas Carol” on the Moppets stage since joining us in 2021! He tells us his favorite Moppets role was Fluellen in “Henry V,” and his all-time favorite was playing Ponyboy in “The Outsiders.” (We told you he has range!)

Phin hopes to someday join the ranks of Moppets royalty: He wants to play a king. We think that’s totally realistic — he’s already the president of his eighth-grade class!

When he’s not on stage, Phin likes to make spray-paint art, play basketball, and watch TV while eating grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

You can catch Phin on stage next in his school’s production of “Appropriate Audience Behavior.”

Meet Mia, our Moppet of the Month!

August 9, 2022 August 9, 2022

Sixth-grade homeschooler Mia Saidi has been a Moppet since last summer, when she played King Edward IV and Prince Edward V in “Richard III.” Her favorite role with the Moppets was in “Tartuffe” earlier this year.

Dorine “was a really fun character,” Mia says, “because she was a little bit sassy and a little bit sarcastic but very loving. Like me!”

Mia would love to have a role in a big Broadway production someday. She especially likes “Hamilton” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”

When she’s not on stage, Mia likes to read, make art and play the piano. She also likes to hang out with her friends and play with her cat. And sometimes you can find her hiding under a pile of blankets in her room!

Mia most recently appeared on the Moppets stage as Bedford and Lord Constable in “Henry V.”

Meet Eli, our Moppet of the Month!

February 10, 2022 February 9, 2022

High school junior Elias Atwood is our longest-tenured Moppet and our current Moppets intern. Eli first appeared on the Moppets stage as Peter in “Romeo & Juliet.” Last season, Eli was our malformed malevolent titular supervillain in “Richard III” and half of Scrooge in “The Moppets Present: A slightly chaotic Christmas Carol.”

(Yes, we said “half.” You had to be there.)

Eli’s most recent off-Moppets projects include a starring role in director Missy Bell’s film “The Library at the End of the Universe” and working on the tech crew on “Algorithms and Blues” at The Magnetic Theater.