Appalachian Playwriting Festival

Dive into Appalachian Storytelling

Get ready for a vibrant celebration of Appalachian culture and creativity at the 3rd Annual Appalachian Playwriting Festival, running September 12–14, 2025 at Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Carolina. This festival shines a spotlight on new works by Appalachian playwrights—or plays deeply rooted in Appalachian heritage, inviting audiences to experience the region’s voices, traditions, and landscapes in all their emotional complexity. One lucky script will be chosen for full production in the 2026 mainstage season—a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Festival Schedule & Highlights

Expect a weekend packed with live theater, music, and community connection:

• Friday, Sept 12 | 7:30 PM: Kick off with a FREE welcome event, featuring Grammy-winning bluegrass banjoist Marc Pruett and live music on the patio, along with light refreshments—a relaxed and lively way to begin the festival.

• Saturday, Sept 13: Prepare for a full day of staged readings of the three selected scripts:

  • Deera’s Country Funeral by Ned Dougherty at 1 PM

  • In a Manor of Speaking by Steven D. Miller at 4 PM

  • Carswell Holler by Travis Lowe at 7 PM

• Sunday, Sept 14 | 2:30 PM: Catch the audience-voted Best of Show, brought to life in a special staged reading!

You can snag a festival pass for just $20 (all events included) or attend specific performances for $10 each. Tickets are available online or by calling 828-682-4285.

Meet the Playwrights & Their Stories

Each script offers a unique Appalachian narrative:

• Carswell Holler (Travis Lowe): A traveling EPA agent’s stop at a coal-country greasy spoon sparks tales both eerie and elegant, weaving humor and darkness into Appalachia’s ghostly lore.

• Deera’s Country Funeral (Ned Dougherty): What begins as a simple tractor funeral in a tight-knit rural community unlocks poignant questions about purpose, identity, and the dignity of simple lives well-lived.

• In a Manor of Speaking (Steven D. Miller): Set in the Great Depression, a struggling spinster welcomes visitors and ambition to her grand manor. Tensions unfold as dreams, identity, and class collide.

Vision & Community Roots

Since its founding in 1947, Parkway Playhouse has stood as a beacon for theater and community in the Appalachian Mountains. This festival continues that legacy—lifting Appalachian stories with purpose and pride. It was born from values of education, art, culture, and community, and remains deeply embedded in mountain life.

As festival co-founder Cheyenne Dancy explains: this is about preserving the stories of our hearts—offering a microphone to Appalachian voices, honoring how art can carry tradition forward.

Get Involved & Support the Creative Spirit

There’s a place for everyone to contribute:

• Volunteer roles are open—including stage assistance, readings, hospitality, and more.

• Donate to support costs like artist pay and staging—your generosity empowers Appalachia’s creative future.

• Buy Tickets to support the arts and help bring more culture to Burnsville.

Why You Should Go

This isn’t just theater—it’s a deep, communal experience:

• Appalachian Truth: Watch new, genuine stories that reflect your culture, values, and landscape.

• Support Creatives: Help launch one script toward a full production—and support artists who share your roots.

• Live Music & Vibes: Kick off the weekend with bluegrass and community energy at our free musical opening night.

• Breathe Easy: Set in historic Parkway Playhouse in the heart of the mountains—perfect for local or destination arts lovers.

• Thought-Provoking & Heartfelt: These readings explore everything from rural masculinity and economic struggle to resilience, humor, and regional myth.

Quick Festival Snapshot

Don’t miss the Appalachian Playwriting Festival—where the power of place, the magic of storytelling, and the heart of community come together under one stageGrab your tickets and come hear the voices of Appalachia at Parkway Playhouse this September!