Voices of Oakdale : Special Apple Festival event featuring the history of Hendersonville. Sept 5, 3PM.
Hendersonville Theatre is committed to the creation of new works for the stage. We host a new works reading series throughout the year, as well as seek out and commission original work for our main productions and One Act Festival. Hendersonville Theatre actively contributed to the development of new plays and musicals.
NEW WORKS SERIES: PAGE TO STAGE
In 2021, this commitment was strengthened with the launch of our public play readings, known as the New Works Series: Page to Stage. Our New Works Series offers area playwrights the opportunity to have their working scripts read by actors for public feedback. From this series, selected works are chosen for workshops and future full production on our main stage.
NEXT UP: Voices of Oakdale by Katie Winkler
Hendersonville Theatre will host a workshop reading of Voices of Oakdale—a new dramatic piece highlighting the lives of individuals interred in the cemetery and the history reflected in its landscape. Researched and written by members of the commission as well as local playwright Katie Winkler, a 2024–2025 Dramatists Guild Foundation National Fellow, the reading will help prepare the script for its live presentation during the Oakdale Cemetery Tour in October.
Synopsis: Voices of Oakdale is a dramatic exploration of the lives of Hendersonville residents laid to rest in historic Oakdale Cemetery. Through monologues, scenes, and guided narration, the play illuminates the stories of individuals from different eras, backgrounds, and communities—revealing how their experiences shaped the city’s growth, culture, and identity. Developed with the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Society, the script blends historical research with theatrical storytelling to create an engaging, educational experience for audiences and participants alike.
About Katie Winkler and the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission: Formed in 1995, the Hendersonville Historic Preservation Commission serves as a steward of the city’s historic properties, assisting owners with responsible alterations, guiding landmark designations, and leading public education on Hendersonville’s architectural and cultural heritage. Established during Hendersonville’s period of rapid growth in the late 19th century, Oakdale Cemetery reflects the city’s early commitment to create a professionally maintained public burial ground serving both African American and White residents (part of a nationwide rural cemetery movement). Current preservation efforts include ongoing restoration work at Oakdale Cemetery, such as the rehabilitation of Wolfe’s Angel, a monument long tied to local history and folklore. Playwright Katie Winkler, 2024-25 Dramatists Guild Foundation Virtual Fellow, worked in conjunction with the commission and other area historians to research and write this unique dramatized cemetery tour.
Cost: The entire event is free and open to the public.
Duration: Immediately following, a moderated discussion will encourage audience feedback. Reading and discussion: approximately 2hrs.
Date: During Apple Festival, Saturday, September 5th at 3:00PM.
Parking: The theater is wheelchair accessible, and ample free parking is available behind and in front of the theatre, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience for all our guests. (Note: the Hendersonville Apple Festival will reroute traffic)
Participation: We are seeking community members to participate as readers (ages 16+; no acting experience required). For more information, contact Katie Winkler at katiewinkler@hvltheatre.org.
Next Showing: The play is being developed for live performance at Oakdale Cemetery in October.
SUBMISSIONS
To Submit to Our New Works Series:
- All work must be original.
- The playwright should plan to attend the performance, if possible.
- We prefer new or revised work. However, if you’ve had a previous production, please provide details.
- Please include a short bio about yourself as a playwright and tell us where you live. Local or regional authors are preferred. (Hendersonville, Greenville, Asheville,
etc.) - Scripts must be submitted as a PDF and include a character list and short character description, including preferred age ranges.
- There is no submission fee.
Submit plays and questions to playsubmissions@hvltheatre.org.