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.
Elliot’s Discovery
November 7th at 3:00 PM.
Cost: The entire event is free and open to the public.
Play Summary: Elliot’s Discovery is an intergenerational drama about identity, memory, and the power of community. Set in Hendersonville, the play follows Elliot, a lonely queer teenager who, after acknowledging his identity for the first time, fears he has no place to belong.
One day, Elliot meets Jerry, an older ally who introduces him to a group of LGBTQ+ elders and advocates. Through a series of encounters that blur memory, history, and imagination, Elliot is guided through decades of local LGBTQ+ history. He hears stories of courage, isolation, grief, faith, family acceptance, youth activism, and community-building, including the creation of Hendersonville Pride.
As Elliot discovers the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before him, he begins to understand that community is something people build together. By the play’s end, Elliot is no longer simply learning his town’s history—he is becoming part of it, discovering that he is not alone.
Author, Josh Bledsoe is a community advocate, playwright, and longtime champion of LGBTQ+ equality in Henderson County, North Carolina. He served as Chair of PFLAG Flat Rock Hendersonville for 11 years, from 2014 to 2025, helping create spaces for advocacy, education, support, and community connection.
In 2025, Bledsoe was honored as the North Carolina Human Rights Campaign Person of the Year in recognition of his dedication to advancing equality and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Elliot’s Discovery is Bledsoe’s second play. His first, Stories from the Table: A Play About Experiences of Homelessness in Henderson County, NC, explored the personal stories and lived experiences of people affected by homelessness in the community.
Through his writing and advocacy, Bledsoe is committed to telling local stories that illuminate history, build understanding, and remind audiences of the power of community and human connection.
Duration: Immediately following, a moderated discussion will encourage audience feedback. Reading and discussion: approximately 2hrs.
Parking: The theater is wheelchair accessible, and ample free parking is available behind and in front of the theatre.
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.
The Page to Stage series highlights new works by local and regional writers. Recent readings have featured playwrights from Hendersonville, Arden, Asheville, and even Tennessee, reflecting the vibrant creative energy of our region.
Each reading brings together a mix of local actors, including familiar faces from our stage and new voices joining us for the first time. Playwrights have an opportunity to hear their work aloud, gather feedback, and continue developing scripts for future production.
We are building a list of community members interested in serving as readers for upcoming sessions. No acting experience is required, and the time commitment is small — just a brief preparation meeting and the reading itself. If you’d like to participate, email Katie Winkler, Page to Stage Coordinator, at katiewinkler@hvltheatre.org.
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.