The organization began as a group called The Asheville Community Players shortly after World War II.
It has occupied its current Walnut Street facility since 1957, following a transition from various temporary venues.
The theater's youth program, ACT Academy, serves hundreds of local students annually through year-round arts education.
The 35below performance space was created to provide a dedicated venue for unconventional, edgy, or smaller-scale productions.
Asheville Community Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Asheville, is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the United States, having opened in 1946. The venue features a main stage for professional-caliber local productions, ranging from musicals and dramas to classic plays. It also serves as a hub for the youth-focused ACT Academy, offering drama education and workshops. The building houses a flexible black box space known as 35below, which hosts experimental and intimate performances. The theater maintains a robust seasonal schedule that runs year-round, typically featuring a blend of well-known titles and original works.
The theater's historic marquee sign on Walnut Street is the most iconic backdrop.
Check the 35below schedule for smaller, more intimate performances that may not be listed on the main stage calendar.
Book tickets in advance for popular musicals, as they often sell out during the peak tourist season.
Assuming there is on-site parking; use the nearby municipal parking decks instead to avoid street parking frustration.
Performances are scheduled throughout the year; the box office is typically closed on Mondays.
Business casual is standard, though there is no strictly enforced dress code.
