Spotlight: Mike Yow

A Southern Appalachian Christmas is showing December 8-18, 2022 here at Southern

Appalachian Repertory Theatre!

In this holiday musical set right here in WNC, Sara hasn’t been home for Christmas since she moved to New York six years ago. Now, for the first time in years, Sara is back in her hometown, celebrating with the family and friends she left behind. During this visit, she learns exactly what’s most important to her and gains a new respect for where she came from. It’s a story of love, hope, and cheer during the holiday season.

We reached out to Mike Yow to find out more about him and his experience working on this production.

What is your favorite part of this show and why?

The sense of family being together around the Holidays. Also, the music is pretty nifty too!

What have you loved so far about working with SART?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, this past summer, was my first production with SART and now this one, A Southern Appalachian Christmas. For both of them, I've greatly enjoyed getting to know new cast-mates and members of the staff and crew and sharing a professional theatrical production together.

Tell us about your character. What’s your favorite thing about them? What do you love about getting to portray them?

Bill Crawford is the family patriarch, a down-home "good ol' boy" who likes to strum his guitar and burst into song, Appalachian back-porch style. I love that he is a bit like my grandfathers - who I loved (and miss) dearly - with their sense of playfulness and general positivity.

How did you get into theatre?

I dabbled with it in middle school and high school, but was too distracted by other things as most of us are or were in that age group. I then came back to it about 15 years ago and, within a year or so, was getting cast in professional productions as well as the occasional film or television project. Now, I make most of my living performing, directing, and working as an acting coach.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the area?

I reside in northeastern Asheville, in the beautiful mountains around Warren Wilson College and what not, so enjoy lots of awesome endeavors in that area. When I'm in Mars Hill, whether it be for SART or some other reason, some of my favorites things to do are eat at some of the fine eateries downtown!

What about this production are you the most excited about?

Working with my beautiful and talented spouse (Karen Covington-Yow) again and some very skilled thespians, many of whom I'm fortunate enough to have in my life even beyond the stage and spotlight.

What’s your favorite part about performing?

The thrill and rush of a live audience has always endeared me to theatre, although, in truth, the ability to help tell a story, either by portraying a character or directing a troupe of actors, is one of the greatest pleasures with which I have been blessed.

Do you have any upcoming projects we should check out?

The 39 Steps (at Black Mountain Center for the Arts), running in mid to late January 2023. I'll be, perhaps rather foolishly, producing, directing, AND performing in this zany comedic take on the famous spy film from the 30s. Hope to see you there! ;)

Biography

Mike is honored to be performing on the SART stage for this exciting 2022 season in both The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble) and A Southern Appalachian Christmas (Bill Crawford), after numerous appearances at Parkway Playhouse, The Magnetic Theatre, HART, Black Mountain Center For The Arts, ACT, Attic Salt Theatre, and others, in addition to a virtual role in last year's 'Love, SART' online production (wherein he was paired with his lovely spouse and fellow thespian, Karen). A professional actor, director, and acting coach for the past 15 years or so, Mike performed in over 100 theatrical productions and film projects down in Atlanta before making the move up to the beautiful mountains of Western NC nearly eight years ago. In addition to the performing arts, Mike is a published author, game designer, afterschool mentor, and 4.25 rated pickleball player, and resides in northeast Asheville with his aforementioned wife and their two crazy-cool cats.

A Southern Appalachian Christmas is showing December 8-18, 2022. Grab your tickets here: https://www.sartplays.com/asouthernappalachianchristmas