Under the Sycamore Tree: An Audio Drama

Under the Sycamore Tree is a short story adapted into an audio drama, written by UNCA alum, Gabbi Paluzzi and directed by UNCA Professor, Laura Facciponti Bond.

Sound Designer: David Freund

Sound Technician: Kent Thompson

Stage Manager: Shel Sammis

CAST LIST

In Alphabetical Order (by First Name)

Anna Corbit

Emily Greene

Franceska Moore

Juno Lanham

Kenya Lipplett

Koen Burnham

Piper Brown

Sam Ridlehoover

Susan Hudson

Tracy George

Tyler Simms

Valerie Lounsbury

Audio Drama Description: In a small southern town, four 9-year-old girls met every day under a lonely sycamore tree to play a game of “Funeral.” As they grew older, the girls became distant—each following a different path. Their lives only intersected again at a real funeral for one of the girls who had suddenly died at age twenty-six. Mystery swirled around how she died, leaving the remaining girls desperately yearning to return to happier days when funerals were mere games during simpler times, arranging flowers and playing corpse in their wild childhood days under the sycamore tree.

The Development of Under the Sycamore Tree: During the spring of 2024, Gabbi Paluzzi (A senior Environmental Studies major, with a minor in Creative Writing) was enrolled in Laura Bond’s ARTS 310 class, The Art & Craft of Vocal Production. The course concluded with final radio play projects, where Gabbi chose to not only adapt her own original script, but to also act out all the voices for the piece! Impressed with her skills, Professor Bond invited Gabbi to expand her story for a TheatreUNCA main stage project. The two spent the summer exchanging weekly versions of the expanded script for notes and development. The project was cast, rehearsed, directed and recorded during the fall of 2024. Through their remarkable dedication to the project, the company was able to complete their recordings, despite the ongoing challenges caused by the Hurricane Helene disaster. However, the final editing and premiere event needed to be postponed until the spring of 2025. It is with a mix of extreme pride, relief and excitement that our production company reveals this final recording of Under the Sycamore Tree!

Under the Sycamore Tree will premiere live, in the Carol Belk Theatre, on March 29th at 3:30pm (audio drama run time is approximately 30 minutes), followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Victoria Bradbury and Anne Slatton with the writer, designers, director and cast. Afterwards, we will hold a Launch Party until 5:30pm in the theatre where the audience is invited to remain and celebrate with the production company!

Under the Sycamore Tree will continue its public run online and on streaming services from March 31st until April 29th, 2025.

Under the Sycamore Tree is produced by UNC Asheville’s Drama department, the Media Design Lab, and the Ruth Paddison Professorship Fund.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Carol Belk Theatre, 1 University Heights, Asheville, United States