Tag Archives: diana wortham theatre

In January 2019, construction began at the current Diana Wortham Theatre — transforming the single-stage entity into a three-venue performing arts complex. The new Wortham Center for the Performing Arts will open in September 2019, with a grand opening celebration to coincide with the beginning of the theatre’s 2019/2020 Mainstage season. 

Read More »

The Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville, North Carolina announces the 2019 Y.E.S. Emerging Artists Fund, a program to support young performers by providing scholarships for graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in the performing arts.

Read More »

The Diana Wortham Theatre and Diamond Brand Outdoors announce their sixth annual “Step Out and Shop” event at Diamond Brand Outdoors’ South Asheville location in Parkway Center at 1378 Hendersonville Road, Thursday, November 17, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. The Step Out and Shop evening features a 20% storewide discount, raffle prizes, food and live music.

A long-standing supporter of Diana Wortham Theatre and sponsor of the theatre’s Mainstage Dance Series, Diamond Brand presents this evening of shopping with a storewide 20% discount* off its finest selection of brand name fashions, outdoor gear, and accessories. 10% of all store sales will be contributed to the theatre. While shopping, guests will enjoy live music and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. The evening’s raffle features prizes such as a men’s outfit by Royal Robins, an ENO hammock, $100 gift cards for Diamond Brand Outdoors and Frugal Backpacker, Leki hiking poles, a Deuter pack, and The North Face “Never Stop Exploring” Package which includes a Flightweight Tote, Multifunctional Headwear, Limited Edition Ice Pick Bottle Opener, Water Bottle, and more.

According to Catherine Gay, an owner of Diamond Brand Outdoors, the Diana Wortham Theatre is a vital part of WNC and an indispensable contributor to the arts in this state. “We are excited to once again host this year’s event at our South Asheville location,” she said.  “November marks two years at the Hendersonville Road location, which features an array of wonderful new outdoor gear and gift items, just in time for the holidays.”

“Diamond Brand Outdoors cares deeply about our community and the Diana Wortham Theatre is an important part of that community,” Gay continued.  “It is a privilege for us to support the theatre in its endeavors to further the arts and to positively impact the lives of its patrons.”

Proceeds from the evening’s sales will provide vital financial support for the ongoing programs of the Diana Wortham Theatre. Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, the Diana Wortham Theatre offers live performances of music, theatre, dance and comedy throughout the year.  The theatre features nationally touring artists (the Mainstage Series), as well as a wide array of performances by professional and avocational regional arts groups such as the Asheville Ballet, Asheville Lyric Opera, Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, Asheville Puppetry Alliance, Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, and the annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. In addition, the Diana Wortham Theatre serves over 10,000 regional students with its Matinee Series for Students and Families.

For more information about the Diana Wortham Theatre, visit www.dwtheatre.com, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dwtheatre, on Twitter @dwtheatre, and subscribe to the DWT YouTube channel atwww.youtube.com/dwtheatre. For more information on Diamond Brand Outdoors, follow them on Facebook at Diamond Brand Outdoors and Diamond Brand Outdoors Downtown; or on Instagram @diamondbrand_outdoors; or visit www.diamondbrandoutdoors.com.

*Available on in-stock items only. Discount does not apply to boats, car racks, dry suits, gift cards, YETI or GoPro. Promotion may be discontinued at management’s discretion.

Read More »

“A couple who vacations together, stays together."

Read More »

The Southeast’s largest comedy festival celebrates ten years in Asheville this summer with stand up comedians from all around the world. Since its first two day festival in 2006, The Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival has grown into one of the country’s most prestigious comedy festivals among both comedians, comedy industry professionals and fans.

Read More »

The Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville, North Carolina announces the 2016 Y.E.S. Emerging Artists Fund student scholarship winners: Luke Haaksma for his piano performance; and Michelle Padron for her spoken word poetry and theatre.

The Emerging Artists Fund is a new program to support young performers by providing scholarships for graduating Buncombe County high school seniors pursuing a career in the performing arts. There were 14 applicants in this inaugural year, and each submitted an application with accompanying essay, letter of recommendation from a teacher, instructor or mentor, and a video audition. Luke Haaksma and Michelle Padron are each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, and their talents will be showcased during a special concert on March 19, 2016 featuring stephaniesĭd at the Diana Wortham Theatre.

“We were blown away by the talent and passion exhibited by all of the students who applied for the scholarship,” said Rae Geoffrey, Associate Director of Diana Wortham Theatre. “It was difficult to choose only two of these amazing young people. Luke and Michelle are wonderful representations of the next generation who will change the future of performing arts. We couldn’t be more excited to help them along their path and to see where the future takes them.”

Luke Haaksma is a senior at Asheville High School. An accomplished pianist, he hopes to study at a conservatory program, earn a PhD in music composition, and compose scores for films. “I’ll never tire of education and I’ll never write simply for acclaim,” said Haaksma. “I only wish to develop my voice as a composer while in the company of other musicians who share my passion.”

Michelle Padron is also a senior at Asheville High School. She hopes to go to college to study theatre arts and psychology, and then use those principles to develop a form of theatre therapy geared specifically for people who have limited access to the performing arts, such as hospital patients, the incarcerated, and those in low-income inner city communities. “I chose my path at a young age, and have stuck with it,” said Padron. “I know, and have long known, that I have found my ‘thing.’”

This year’s scholarship winners will be showcased at the March 19, 2016 event with stephaniesĭd. The evening is also a benefit concert for local children through Diana Wortham Theatre’s Y.E.S. Fund. Best known for its outstanding mix of songs and irresistibly infectious live performances, stephaniesĭd is a pop-noir trio combining jazz, rock and pop to churn out wondrous and highly original tunes. In addition to their work with the band, pianist Chuck Lichtenberger and vocalist Stephanie Morgan and have contributed to the musical careers of hundreds of young artists. Chuck Lichtenberger has taught piano lessons to hundreds of children in the Asheville area since 1995. Many of his students have gone on to study music at renowned university music programs. Stephanie Morgan began her career in social work, helping emotionally traumatized kids through a wilderness therapy program, and later, counseling families through the process of fostering and adoption. She also teaches private lessons to students with an emphasis on helping them “find their voice.” The band will work with the Y.E.S. Emerging Artist award winners to integrate and showcase the students and their talent into the March 19th performance.

Video elements for the performance are also provided by student talent. Kai Lendzion is a senior at Asheville High School who plans to pursue a career in filmmaking, audio engineering, and sound design. His dream is to create soundtrack music and sound engineering for films and live performances.

The Emerging Artists Fund is an outgrowth of the Y.E.S. (Youth Education Scholarship) Fund, which was created to make it possible for underserved students to attend Diana Wortham Theatre school programming. Scholarships, made possible by private donors, cover the cost of admission and are available to students on a free or reduced lunch program. The Y.E.S. program expanded in 2015 to cover artist workshops in local schools and the Emerging Artists Fund. Donations to the Y.E.S. Fund and its programs are accepted any time; more information at www.dwtheatre.com/Y-E-S-Fund.

Contact/Info: For more information on the Y.E.S. Emerging Artists Fund, visit www.dwtheatre.com/emerging-artists-fund or call the theatre at (828) 257-4530.

Read More »

The Folk Heritage Committee announces its summer 2015 dates for two celebrated mountain traditions in Asheville, North Carolina: the 49^th season of Shindig on the Green and the 88^th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Each event features long-standing as well as the newest generation of traditional and mountain string bands, ballad singers, and big circle mountain dancers and cloggers, resulting in fun-filled and authentic evenings enjoyed by kith and kin of all ages.

Read More »

“...one of the world’s most popular modern-dance troupes... famous for its wit and sensuality.”

Read More »