<a href="https://ashevilletheatre.org/" title="Asheville Community Theatre" rel="home">Asheville Community Theatre

Asheville Community Talent Showcase

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Location: ACT Mainstage

ACT is excited to present the 2026 Asheville Community Talent Showcase, a vibrant celebration of the rich talent from communities across Western North Carolina. Join us as we spotlight the diverse and extraordinary skills of our community members, showcasing the best of our region’s performers on stage.

Proceeds to benefit graduating seniors in the Tanglewood Teens Senior Scholarship Fund. Tanglewood Teens is ACT’s audition-based performance troupe that provides a unique platform for high schoolers to receive top-level training in acting, singing, dancing, and the performing arts.

Tickets: All tickets are $15.00 (excluding taxes and fees). Assigned seating. All tickets are subject to sales tax, a $1 convenience fee and a $1 facility fee. All sales are final. No exchanges or returns.

Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available.

Asheville Fringe: Threefold Riddle by Serpent Haus

8PM Friday, November 21 & Saturday, November 22

Location: 35below

ACT Late Night and Asheville Fringe present Threefold Riddle by Serpent Haus

As dwellers of the liminal, impressions bend and bleed across the darkened veil. A question floats through this void, where the one are three and the three are one. This inquiry has no answer. Instead a vague, distant memory of something universal and indescribable captivates the witnesses, as the sacred rite of the Threefold Riddle is performed.

Serpent Haus is a collaboration of Verone Bright + Seth Stewart + River Culver encompassing performance art, ritual witchcraft, sideshow and music to explore the bizarre and taboo. Our intention for the art created is to shift timelines and evolve consciousness while removing shame, limitation and dogmatic oppressive systems. We want our guests to have a raw experience so that primal emotions are brought forward, allowing a deeper healing and remembrance of our wildness. Triggers can heal deep wounds and each performance is a ritual container intended to create change.

Threefold Riddle by Serpent Haus was the 2025 Asheville Fringe Festival Fringiest of the Fringe winner.

This performance is part of an ongoing collaboration between Asheville Fringe Festival and Asheville Community Theatre. Each month, Asheville Fringe takes over 35below to present innovative, genre-defying work from local, regional, and national artists. The partnership transforms 35below into a home for adventurous performances and new artistic voices.

Content Awareness
Adult Language & Adult Themes

AVL Fringe: Sirenum – A Lesbian Folk Opera

Friday & Saturday, January 9 & 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM

Location: 35below

ACT Late Night and Asheville Fringe present Sirenum – A Lesbian Folk Opera by Skysail Theatre

In this new musical from Skysail Theatre, siren melodies mingle with an original electronic score to create a unique soundscape spanning folklore and science fiction. Audience members embark on a journey into uncharted galaxies with a young spacefarer seeking to answer an ancient call. Follow as she encounters a mythical oceanic planet with an ominous guardian, and discover what the fates have in store for two unlikely lovers connected by sea, space and song.

Because of Her: Women Who Changed the World

Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 10 AM & 12 PM

Because of Her: Women Who Changed the World – Travel through time and learn about women who made history.

Run Time (Approx.): 45-60 Minutes
Best For Grades: Elementary

Black in Asheville: “Urban Renewal Impact” The Movie

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Location: ACT Mainstage

Urban Renewal Impact takes a hard look at Asheville’s past through the lens of those who lived it. This film traces how city leaders, long focused on cultivating Asheville as a white-led tourism destination, excluded Black residents from their plans. From convict leasing that forced Black men to build the city’s foundation to federally funded projects that razed entire Black neighborhoods, Urban Renewal Impact reveals a truth rarely acknowledged: progress for some came at the expense of others.

Runtime: This a two hour long event including a Q&A after the film.

Tickets: This event is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Any remaining tickets will be available on the day of the show through the Box Office. Seating is general admission.

Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating is available.

Sponsored by Rotary of Asheville and Asheville Community Theatre.

Reserve Tickets

Cabaret

May 8 – 17, 2026

Location: To Be Announced

Performance Times TBA

Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb & Book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play I Am a Camera by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
Location: Offsite – To Be Announced January 2026!

About the Show

Step into the Kit Kat Klub for an unforgettable evening with Cabaret! In 1930s Berlin, as the shadow of fascism looms, American writer Cliff Bradshaw is drawn into the dazzling yet dangerous world of the cabaret. With provocative songs like “Wilkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and the haunting “Cabaret,” this Tony Award-winning musical is a powerful exploration of love, identity, and societal collapse.

Featuring immersive staging at a TBA off-site location, Cabaret invites audiences 21 and up to experience the decadence and danger of a world on the brink of chaos. Raise a glass, lose yourself in the music, and remember: in here, life is beautiful.

Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Content Awareness: Contains mature themes, including sexual content, drug use, and depictions of political oppression. Restricted to audiences 21 and up.

Tickets On Sale January 2026

California Suite

June 5-7, 2026

Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 2:30 PM

About The Play

Simon dishes up a wickedly delectable four course slice-of-life when all sorts of people from all over the country spend a few days in a Los Angeles hotel suite.

Directed by: Elliot Weiner

Captain Cumulus & The Cloud Crew

Tuesdays, April 14 & April 21, 2026 at 10 AM & 12 PM

The weather’s going haywire and it’s up to Captain Cumulus and the Cloud Crew to find out what’s wrong! Learn about weather, climate, and everything in between in this high flying adventure!

Run Time (Approx.): 45-60 Minutes
Best For Grades: Elementary

Frozen JR.

January 16-18, 2026

Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday & Sunday at 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM

Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez; Book by Jennifer Lee
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee

ABOUT THE SHOW

The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen Jr. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production.

A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen Jr. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Run Time: 60 minutes

ACESSIBILITY

All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.

CONTENT AWARENESS

This production is rated G.

TICKETS

Adult ticket = $15.00 (excluding taxes and fees)
Youth ticket = $8.00 (excluding taxes and fees)

Assigned seating. All tickets are subject to sales tax, a $1 convenience fee and a $1 facility fee. All sales are final. No exchanges or returns.

Grease

September 19 – October 12, 2025

Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Sponsored by: HomeTrust Bank

About the Show
Bursting with high-octane fun and unforgettable songs like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” and “You’re the One That I Want,” Grease is the ultimate rock-and-roll celebration. Step back into the 1950s as Rydell High’s senior class navigates the ups and downs of love, identity, and teenage rebellion. One of the most popular musicals of all time, Grease is a rollicking good time.

Supported by a live five-piece band!

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This production contains adult language and themes (more than the film) may not be suitable for young audiences. It also includes stylized representations of cigarette smoking, teen rebellion and period-specific references.

Sing-Along Performance: Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Dress up in your sock hop best and get ready to sing your heart out during a live performance of Grease! You will receive a lyrics sheet to help you follow along and you can purchase an interactive show kit full of play-along props and other surprises.

Get Tickets for the October 2: Sing-Along

Accessibility Performances

September 25 [SOLD OUT]: Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC)
September 26 & 28: Descriptive Audio for the Sight Impaired (DASI)
October 12: American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)

Ticketing Information

Adult Tickets (18+) are $36.50 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $2.56 tax = $43.56 total
Youth Tickets (3-17) are $18.00 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $1.26 tax = $23.76 total
Show Kits for the Sing Along are $20.00 + $1.40 tax = $21.40

Hello, Dolly!

April 10 – May 3, 2026

Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM

Book by Michael Stewart, Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Based on the play “The Matchmaker” by Thornton Wilder
Sponsored by: AVAILABLE

About the Show
It only takes a moment to fall in love with this classic musical comedy! Hello, Dolly! is the story of the irrepressible matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi, who is determined to find love for herself and others in 19th-century New York. With lavish costumes, spirited dance numbers, and an unforgettable score, “Put On Your Sunday Clothes”, “Before the Parade Passes By”, this Tony Award–winning hit is pure theatrical joy.

Supported by a live 12-piece orchestra!

Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show is suitable for all audiences.

Accessibility & Special Performances

April 16: Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC) Tickets go on sale March 31, 2026
April 17 & 19: Descriptive Audio for the Sight Impaired (DASI).
April 23: Sing-Along! Yes, singing is encouraged! Additional Show-Kits on sale for this performance.
April 26: American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)

Ticketing Information

Adult Tickets (18+) are $36.50 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $2.56 tax = $43.56 total
Youth Tickets (3-17) are $18.00 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $1.26 tax = $23.76 total
Show Kits for the Sing Along are $20.00 + $1.40 tax = $21.40

Heroes in the Shadows: Unknown Civil Rights Leaders

Tuesdays, February 10 & February 17, 2026 at 10 AM & 12 PM

You know Martin, Malcolm, Ruby, and Rosa, now it’s time to shine a light on lesser known leaders of the Civil Rights movement.

Run Time (Approx.): 45-60 Minutes
Best For Grades: 3rd-8th grade

Home for the Holidays

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM

Location: ACT Mainstage

Join us for a holiday extravaganza featuring the Tanglewood Troupes and guests from ACT shows of Christmas past, present, and future!

Tanglewood Troupes are ACT’s year-long programs where students receive top-level theatrical training: Tanglewood Teens for high schoolers and Tanglewood Youth for middle schoolers with a passion for performing, and Tanglewood Tech for high school students with a passion for technical theatre.

Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available.

In The Heights

June 12 – 28, 2026

Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM

Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Book by Quiara Alegría Hudes
Sponsored by: The Teel Family Foundation

About the Show
Before Hamilton, there was In the Heights. With a vibrant score blending hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul, this Tony Award–winning musical tells the story of a tight-knit community on the brink of change in New York’s Washington Heights. Featuring unforgettable characters and songs like “Breathe,” “96,000,” and “Carnaval del Barrio,” this show is a celebration of heritage, home, and hope.

Run Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show contains strong language and themes of immigration, loss, and cultural identity.

Accessibility & Special Performances

June 18: Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC) Tickets go on sale June 2, 2026
June 19 & 21: Descriptive Audio for the Sight Impaired (DASI)
June 21: American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)
June 25: Sing-Along! Yes, singing is encouraged! Additional Show-Kits on sale for this performance.

Ticketing Information

Adult Tickets (18+) are $36.50 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $2.56 tax = $43.56 total
Youth Tickets (3-17) are $18.00 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $1.26 tax = $23.76 total
Show Kits for the Sing Along are $20.00 + $1.40 tax = $21.40

Let It Snow

Tuesdays, December 9, 2025 at 10 AM & December 16, 2025 at 12 PM

Tuesdays, December 9, 2025 at 10 AM & December 16, 2025 12 PM

Kids across the city are hoping for a snow day! It’s a wistful winter day as we learn how different people celebrate the cold season and ask the question – will there be school tomorrow??

Run Time (Approx.): 45-60 Minutes
Best For Grades: Elementary

Mean Girls: High School Edition

March 7-8, 2026

Saturday & Sunday at 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM

Book by Tina Fey, Music by Jeff Richmond, Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Based on the Paramount Pictures film Mean Girls

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Plastics have deemed us worthy of their presence in Mean Girls High School Edition! This “fetch” musical from book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is packed with keen wit, an undeniably catchy score, and a sincere message for everyone.

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. Cady and her friends devise a “Revenge Party” to end Regina’s reign with Cady going undercover as an aspiring Plastic. When the lines between the real Cady and her Plastic self get blurred, she must find her way back to herself and her true friends.

Adapted from Fey’s 2004 blockbuster film and the Broadway smash hit, Mean Girls High School Edition will be the queen bee of your stage!

Run Time: 60 minutes

ACCESSIBILITY

All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.

CONTENT AWARENESS

This production is rated PG.

TICKETS

Adult ticket = $15.00 (excluding taxes and fees)
Youth ticket = $8.00 (excluding taxes and fees)

Assigned seating. All tickets are subject to sales tax, a $1 convenience fee and a $1 facility fee.
All sales final. No exchanges or returns.

Newsies JR.

May 15-17, 2026

Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday & Sunday at 10:30 AM & 2:30 PM

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein, Jr. Script Adaptation by David Simpatico
Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Disney’s Newsies Jr. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies Jr. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.

Including the now-classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies Jr. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.

Run Time: 60 minutes

ACESSIBILITY

All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.

CONTENT AWARENESS

This production is rated PG.

TICKETS

Adult ticket = $15.00 (excluding taxes and fees)
Youth ticket = $8.00 (excluding taxes and fees)

Assigned seating. All tickets are subject to sales tax, a $1 convenience fee and a $1 facility fee.
All sales final. No exchanges or returns.

RENT

February 6 – 22, 2026

Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Sponsored by: AVAILABLE

About the Show
La Vie Bohème! Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical follows a year in the life of young artists and friends struggling to create and survive in New York City under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. With an iconic rock score including “Seasons of Love,” “Take Me or Leave Me,” and “La Vie Bohème,” RENT is a powerful, deeply human story that continues to move generations.

Supported by a live 5-piece band!

Run Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show contains adult content, drug use, strong language, and period-specific references to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Accessibility & Special Performances

February 12: Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC) Tickets go on sale January 27, 2026
February 13 & 15: Descriptive Audio for the Sight Impaired (DASI).
February 19: Sing-Along! Yes, singing is encouraged! Additional Show-Kits on sale for this performance.
February 22: American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)

Ticketing Information

Adult Tickets (18+) are $36.50 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $2.56 tax = $43.56 total
Youth Tickets (3-17) are $18.00 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $1.26 tax = $23.76 total
Show Kits for the Sing Along are $20.00 + $1.40 tax = $21.40

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

December 5 – 21, 2025

Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM

December 5 – 21, 2025
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 PM
Based on the animated television special – Adapted by Robert Penola, Music & Lyrics by Johnny Marks
Sponsored by: Mast General Store

About the Show
The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage! Join Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and all your favorite characters as they come to life in this heartwarming holiday musical. Featuring iconic songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year,” this show celebrates the 61st anniversary of the cherished Christmas special. Perfect for the whole family!

Bring home Rudolph, Hermey, Yukon and Cornelius – enter our animatronic raffle!

Run Time: 90 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available for all Mainstage performances.
Content Awareness: This show is suitable for all audiences.

Accessibility & Special Performances

December 11: Pay What You Can Performance (PWYC) Tickets go on sale November 11, 2025
December 12 & 14: Descriptive Audio for the Sight Impaired (DASI)
December 14: American Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)
December 18: Sing-Along! Yes, singing is encouraged! Additional Show-Kits on sale for this performance.

Ticketing Information

Adult Tickets (18+) are $36.50 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $2.56 tax = $43.56 total
Youth Tickets (3-17) are $18.00 ticket price + $4.50 fees + $1.26 tax = $23.76 total
Show Kits for the Sing Along are $20.00 + $1.40 tax = $21.40

Tanglewood Senior Show

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Location: ACT Mainstage

Join us as we celebrate the hard work and talents of the Tanglewood Troupe Class of 2026 in what promises to be an inspiring and unforgettable evening.

Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available.

Tanglewood Youth Showcase

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Location: ACT Mainstage

Celebrate the first year of Tanglewood Youth in this joyful showcase!

Accessibility: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating and Listening Devices are available.

The Chalk Garden

January 30- February 1, 2026

Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 2:30 PM

About The Play

Tension is palpable in this fascinating psychological chamber piece as Miss Madrigal, an enigmatic hired companion, matches wits with a formidable British dowager and her equally eccentric granddaughter.

Directed by: Margaret Crowell

Friday and Saturday at 35below

Sunday at UNCA’s Reuter Center

Wee Sing in Sillyville

Saturday February 21 & Sunday February 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM

Location: 35below

Based on the 1989 film from Wee Sing Productions.

About The Show

Let us transport you to the world of Sillyville where everyone loves to sing, dance, and play – except none of the colors are getting along with each other. The Yellow Spurtle Gurgles don’t get along with the Blue Twirly Pops, and the Green Jingle Heimers won’t talk to the Red Bitty Bootys – will they ever become friends again? Based on the 1989 children’s film, you can join Sillywhim in her quest to bring all the colors back together in this magical, musical adventure.

Run Time: 30 minutes

Tickets

Adult ticket = $15.00 (excluding taxes and fees)
Youth ticket = $8.00 (excluding taxes and fees)

General Admission. All tickets are subject to sales tax, a $1 convenience fee and a $1 facility fee. All sales final. No exchanges or returns.

ACT Studio Series

Studio Series performances are shows by our youngest performers, ages 6-12. Students learn how to prepare and present their best selves in auditions, collaborate with their fellow cast mates in the rehearsal process, and put on a fun and vibrant performance! Every aspect is designed to nurture creativity, foster teamwork, and instill a genuine love for theatre.

Interested in participating? Registration is open!