Recent Maryville College alumni found Appalachian Group Theatre
Andrew Hastings (‘25) and Aaliyah Bowman-Raucci (‘25) will present the first show by the Appalachian Group Theatre on Feb. 14, 2026. On Feb. 14, 2025, exactly one year prior to this debut, Hastings and Bowman-Raucci performed together in Maryville College Theatre Department’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Now, the two MC alums prepare to hold the inaugural show of their very own theatre company.
Appalachian Group Theatre is an up-and-coming performing arts company based in Sevierville, Tennessee. According to Hastings, the mission of Appalachian Group Theatre is “to provide impactful theatrical experiences and arts education that engage the community and foster cultural enrichment.”
Based in Hastings’s hometown of Sevierville TN, the Appalachian Group Theatre is one-of-a-kind for the area. One defining feature of the group is a permanent company of artists who work together to produce each show. However, Hastings emphasized that community members are still welcome to participate and respond to casting calls if interested.
“It was important [for] me to give actors security in knowing what their next job is going to be,” said Hastings. He explains that while the majority of theatre groups feature all-new cast members for each show, Appalachian Group Theatre has a permanent company to act in and produce shows, in addition to teaching classes.
Originally, Hastings accepted an acting apprenticeship in Florida after graduation. However, throughout the summer, he realized he no longer wanted to strictly work as an actor – nor did he want to relocate to Florida.
“I don’t think my hair would do well in the heat,” he jokingly added.
At that point, Hastings started to think local. As a Sevierville native, Hastings observed that, while the tourist-saturated area had plenty of dinner and variety shows, it lacked a proper community theatre dedicated to creating and teaching the art of theatre
Hastings has a passion for bringing theatre into underprivileged communities – a passion which directly translated into his own community: “It was really important for me to give back,” he said.
Hastings’ commitment to his community was the driving force behind Appalachian Group Theatre: a theatre company that produced thought-provoking works of art, which would propel the community to social action.
Hastings is no stranger to social action – during his time at Maryville College, he served as a Bonner Scholar, where he completed hundreds of hours of community service within a theatre setting. Hastings also fulfilled a major leadership role as senior intern for the Community-Engaged Scholars Program from 2024-2025.
On connecting his Bonner experience to creating his own theatre company, Hastings said: “Being a theatre major and a community engaged scholar gave me the encouragement to choose an opportunity like this. I never would have gone for this without being a part of those organizations and seeing the benefits nonprofit companies can [have] on the community.”
Hastings knew he could not fulfill this mission alone, so he recruited the help of fellow 2025 graduate, Aaliyah Bowman-Raucci. Bowman-Raucci was a notable Theatre Studies major during her time at MC: she received the Bates Forensic Drama Award during her final semester, an award given to the most outstanding senior in drama.
Hastings pitched his idea to Bowman-Raucci, and they met in June to discuss what it would look like to open a new theatre company based in an area that needed theatrical opportunities. The idea evolved into a reality: the Appalachian Group Theatre, a 501(c) registered organization, consisting of a board of directors, executive directors, and a 12-person company of actors, designers, producers, and technicians.
Hastings serves as artistic director, and is responsible for creative decision making and artist development, while Bowman-Raucci serves as business director, handling fiscal aspects of the company. The other board members of Appalachian Group Theatre also come with their own theatrical expertise and history. Members include Robert Kalina: former director of the Creative Theatre Group of Pigeon Forge, Madeline Franklin: Hasting’s former high school theatre teacher, and Andy Vaught: assistant professor of theatre at Maryville College, who also formed his own theatre company, Cripple Creek Theatre Company.
Hastings encouraged MC students and staff to come see their performances, participate if they are interested and help promote the feeling of community that theatre can provide.
“The moments that are most encouraging are when I see people in the community being excited and sharing their enthusiasm about it. That’s who it’s for, it’s for the community. When they’re enthusiastic I feel like I’m making an impact,” Hastings said. Appalachian Theatre Company is proud to present its inaugural show: a variety show event called “Love Unfiltered” at Southern Pines Wedding and Event Venue in Pigeon Forge. The family-friendly show will explore a variety of acts pertaining to love, whether romantic, familial, or platonic, fitting for its’ Valentine’s Day debut. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the theatre group’s new website, appalachiangrouptheatre.com.
Alliyah Bowman (‘25) and Andrew Hastings (‘25) performing in Maryville College’s 2023 The Laramie Project, years before they started up the Appalachian Group Theatre together.