Actor Lauren Otis was the latest guest on the "Behind the Curtains" podcast. She told us all about her career and personal growth in the theater industry, her views on the blossoming of the performing arts in Western North Carolina (especially after COVID), how the Asheville Theater Alliance is helping bring the industry together as a community, and roles on her bucket list. Also get all the details about the upcoming production of "Miss Julie" being presented at Attic Salt Theatre, the dynamics between the three characters, how she prepared for her portrayal of Miss Julie, and some of the themes that still resonate today as when they did when it was written in 1888.

What an interesting conversation we had with Erin McCarson - who wears many hats in the theater industry. First we chatted about her acting career, her many diverse talents, some past favorite roles, the one role she wants to play for her mom, and her gravitational pull toward "sad clown" characters. We moved on to her directing career and found out her views on picking plays to direct, which types of shows are most challenging, and one special show she wants to direct. We ended our talk getting all the details about "The Cake" - the show she is directing at the HART Theatre in Waynesville, her story about the first time she saw the show (a little embarrassing...), and what does she want to hear patrons saying afterwards.

We were happy to welcome back to the show a man who wears many hats, including director, actor, co-founder of the Asheville Theater Alliance and Founder/Artistic Director of the Attic Salt Theatre Company for a wide-ranging interview - Jeff Catanese. First, Jeff caught us up on the Alliance, outlined membership benefits, upcoming networking events, and a very exciting and lucrative audition event they are planning for February 2026 for Alliance members. Also learn how he got into the theater world, why he founded the Attic Salt Theatre Company, and what is his all-time favorite play on his bucket list to direct. Finally, get all the details about the upcoming productions of "Miss Julie" in September and "The Thanksgiving Play" in November being presented at Attic Salt.