Carol Belk Theater
Fall 2024 Show Schedule
Alice's Smile
(The Contagious Effects of Extraordinary Joy)
A family-friendly play inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Directed by Lise Kloeppel in collaboration with local guest artist Edwin Salas Acosta
October 24-26, 2024
Synopsis: Step into a world of wonder and imagination as we tell the story of Alice's missing smile and the quest to make her smile again. Inspired by Lewis Carroll's original work, where the young girl rarely smiles, this tale is narrated by the Queen of Hearts’ playing card gardeners charged with painting the white roses red. They recall the visit of the little girl and try to understand her story by reenacting various scenes from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The production will feature puppets inspired by the Bunraku tradition and other characters brought to life through digital animation and projections.
Run Time: 50 minutes
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Comedy Improve Show
Led by Marlene Thompson with Misfit Improv & Acting School
November 8-9, 2024
Are you interested in being a part of an improv comedy show? Do you want to learn about the art of improvisation and comedy? Do you want to have fun and make new friends? Sign up to audition, learn about how you can get involved and what expectations come with participation.
**NO PREVIOUS PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY**
Format: Short-form games, i.e. Whose Line Is It Anyway? & ComedySportz; possibly dabble in long-form depending on the group's experience and motivation.
Important Dates:
- 10-week class improv class culminating in a show
- Wednesdays, Sept 4th-Nov 6th, 6-7:30p
- Shows Fri, Nov 8th and Sat, Nov 9th
Students will earn a 1-hour practicum credit (DRAM 105 (non-majors) or DRAM 201 (majors/minors)) for their participation. Students who participated in the Fall 2023 Nachos Mama’s Comedy Improv Show are encouraged but not required to audition to participate in this year's show. Previous members should email lkloeppe@unca.edu if they are interested in participating again but unable to attend auditions.
Under the Sycamore (audio drama)
Short Story Adapted for Audio Drama
Written by UNC Asheville alum, Gabbi Paluzzi
Directed by UNC Asheville Professor, Laura Facciponti Bond
November 19, 2024 (premiere airing)
Synopsis: In a small southern town, four 9-year-old girls meet every day under a lonely sycamore tree to play a game of “Funeral.” As they grew older, the girls became distant—each following a different path. Their lives only intersected again at a real funeral for one of the girls who had suddenly died at age twenty-six. Mystery swirled around how she died, leaving the remaining girls desperately yearning to return to happier days when funerals were mere games during simpler times, arranging flowers and playing corpse in their wild childhood days under the sycamore tree.
See Under the Sycamore Audition Notice for more details about auditions and the show.