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.”

An open call for submissions from young playwrights

January 26, 2023 January 26, 2023

The Montford Moppets Youth Shakespeare Company is seeking submissions for our inaugural One Act Festival!
A selection of 3 to 5 finalists will be chosen for production by our judging panel and Artistic Director Ashleigh Goff. Productions will be student-directed, under the supervision of Moppets staff.

GUIDELINES

We are seeking works by playwrights between the ages of 10 and 18.

One Acts must be original works or adaptations of works in the public domain.

All submissions must be written in English.

Running time should be no more than 20 minutes (roughly 20 pages)

Works should require a cast of 7 or fewer actors with minimal staging.

Submissions must be PG-13 or milder.

Contact information should be on the cover page of the script. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the script.

IMPORTANT DATES

Submission deadline: February 14
Decision notification: February 21
Rehearsals: March 20 – May 11
Performances: May 12-13

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT

Meet Sam, our Moppet of the Month!

December 7, 2022 January 26, 2023

Sam Cintron is a freshman at the School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville, and he has been doing theatre since he was much younger. He performed in his first Moppets show last spring, in our production of “Tartuffe” as the siblings Damis and Marian — still his favorite role(s)! He has also performed as Exeter in “Henry V,” and he is currently Scrooge in the Moppets’ annual production of “A Christmas Carol.”

Sam dreams of one day playing the lead in “Macbeth,” his favorite Shakespeare production. Aside from theatre, Sam enjoys writing, producing, and listening to many different genres of music, hanging out with friends, and thinking deep thoughts (sometimes).

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.”

The Moppets present “The Tempest”

July 5, 2022 July 5, 2022

The Moppets bring "pure joy" to the stage with their 2022 production of "The Tempest"

Our young actors put on three fun, family-friendly performances for the crowds at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater last weekend as they opened our 2022 summer season with “The Tempest”!

(Thanks for helping us dodge those thunderstorms, Prospero! Sometimes it’s really helpful to have a wizard with weather-manipulating powers on hand.)

The Moppets “bring ‘The Tempest’ to life in a fun and original production that highlights both the comedy of the work as well as its magic and meaning,” said one Moppets fan. “The dedication of these young people, as well as a love of what they are doing, is apparent in every moment. It is pure joy to watch!”

“The Moppets have impressed me again with their talent and their ability to capture the audience,” another audience member said. “The performers have great comedic timing. ‘The Tempest’ is a show not to be missed!”

Didn’t make it to opening weekend? Don’t worry: You still have three more chances to see the show!

We’ll be back on the stage at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater on Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 11am and 5pm. (That’s right! It’s a Moppets double-header!)

Click here to RSVP!

Watching our Moppets on Other Stages

June 14, 2022 June 14, 2022

Watching our Moppets on other stages

Two Princes!

We were thrilled to learn that Moppets alum Kai Strange and senior Moppet Eli Hamilton have been cast as The Little Prince in The Montford Park Players’ upcoming production of “The Little Prince.”

Eli and Kai will each play the title role at different performances, so you should probably plan to go a few times so you can see them both. That’s what we’ll be doing!

Congratulations, guys! We are so proud of you, and we can’t wait to see the show!

“The Little Prince” is a classic French tale of loneliness, love, loss and interplanetary travel. It opens Friday at Hazel Robinson Amphitheater.

Of Moppets and "Monsters"

Fresh off his titular role in our “Tartuffe,” Aidan Short is now appearing as Pup in the Different Strokes production of Christian St. Croix’s “Monsters of the American Cinema.”

“This fast-paced, and engaging two-hander about a unique father/son relationship challenges the idea of family, and the responsibility of being in a relationship, of any kind, with other people” director Stephanie Hickling Beckman told the New Play Exchange. “It brings up human nature and its ever-present need for connection and acceptance in a world that neither understands us or makes room for our differences.”

“Monsters” opens June 16 at Tina McGuire Theater in Asheville.

"Practically perfect" in Brevard

Gabe Rood took the stage last month as Robertson Aye in Brevard High School’s production of “Mary Poppins.” In addition to a performance described by one audience member as “My favorite part of the show,” Gabe helped design the very impressive set.

Great job, Gabe!

Asheville Area Arts Council funding helps support Moppets after-school program

April 6, 2022 April 6, 2022

We are delighted to announce that Moppets has been awarded a $1,500 Arts Build Community Grant from the Asheville Area Arts Council in support of our new after-school programming at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center!

Taught by Artistic Director Ashleigh Goff and veteran Moppet Eli Hamilton, the class is our first-ever partnership with the City of Asheville. Students in the after-school program are learning basic theater skills and building their self-confidence in a fun and welcoming environment. The program will culminate in a showcase performance for the students’ peers and families.

“One of our overarching goals is to introduce more kids to classical theater, wherever they are,” Moppets Executive Director Rachel Cort said. “This funding helps us to take a big step toward that goal. We are incredibly grateful to the Asheville Area Arts Council for supporting the Moppets and aspiring young actors in our community.”