Here at HART, we are a small staff with huge hearts! We are hardworking, passionate people who care about the survival of live arts. Our small team works tirelessly to bring as many theatrical opportunities to the community as we can. That’s why we depend on seasonal hires, interns, and volunteers to help us create unforgettable magic on the stage. If you are interested in helping or joining the HART team, head over to the “Get Involved” tab to learn about the many opportunities we have at HART.
Candice Dickinson is a dedicated producer, director and actress with a passion for enhancing the performance arts and making a positive impact on the community. As the Artistic Director at HART, she wears many hats, including production manager, volunteer coordinator, and guiding the theater’s artistic direction. Candice’s love for the stage started at the tender age of five and has only grown since then.
She earned her BFA in Musical Theater and Professional Acting from East Carolina University, where she was trained in the Meisner Technique. After graduation, Candice spent time in New York City perfecting her craft and traveled across the country to act and direct. Before arriving at HART, she produced three original plays—two of which premiered in NYC—and directed numerous others.
Beyond directing and acting, Candice has sung in over 50 cabarets, and taught workshops and classes on acting, improvisation, directing, and musical theater performance. She’s also passionate about giving back and before arriving to HART raised over $20,000 for charities through her self-produced showcases. She hopes to raise much, much more for HART in the future.
Now settled in Cruso, North Carolina, with her husband and two sweet pups, Candice is thrilled to call HART Theatre her home. She looks forward to continuing to inspire and support the arts in Haywood County.
Rose Pillmore is an experienced nonprofit administrator and operations leader with a passion for building strong, sustainable organizations that serve their communities. As Managing Director at HART, she oversees the theater’s operational, administrative, and financial systems, ensuring the behind-the-scenes work supports bold artistic and educational programming.
Before her time at HART, Rose served as the founder of Rosie Can, a successful referral-based virtual operations consultancy providing high-level project management and organizational support to small and mid-sized businesses. She is also a Co-Founder and Vice President of the Asheville Theater Alliance, where she helps unite and advocate for the performing arts community across Western North Carolina through collaboration, fundraising, and shared resources.
Rose previously served as Operations Coordinator for the Institute for Democracy and Justice in Haiti, supporting the organization’s U.S. and international operations with a focus on compliance, efficiency, and accountability. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health from the University of West Florida.
Based in Asheville, Rose is known for her thoughtful leadership, strong organizational instincts, and deep commitment to mission-driven work that allows artists and organizations alike to thrive.
Erin McCarson, former baby, is an actor, director, producer, writer, and educator based in Western North Carolina, and serves as Academy Director at Haywood Arts Regional Theater. Having first appeared on stage as a sheep at four years old, her lifelong affair with art has never wavered. With nearly 40 years of experience in theatre, Erin brings both deep expertise and a sense of play to helping artists of all ages discover their voices and tell stories that matter.
Erin holds degrees in Dramatic Arts and Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and trained in musical theatre at New York University’s CAP21 professional musical theatre conservatory. She spent over a decade performing professionally in New York City, appearing on stages including Ars Nova, SoHo Think Tank, Public Assembly, and The Bell House, working with- and learning from- some of the most creative minds in the industry. She performed improv with Improv Everywhere and at Upright Citizens Brigade and was lead singer of a band that released two studio albums. Beyond the stage, Erin has appeared in film, television, internet, and commercial projects, including work with Joel Schumacher, Michael Urie, Reed Birney, Bekah Brunstetter, Ryan Serhant, and Sierra Boggess.
Since returning to North Carolina in 2016, Erin has performed with Haywood Arts Regional Theater, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Sublime Theater, NC Stage Company, Immediate Theatre Project, Nemesis Theatre, Magnetic Theatre, and Calliope Stage. She won HART Performer of the Year for her performance of the Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing. She plays on the improv teams Gal Pals, Adesto Theatre, and Scuttlebutt. Her training has continued in WNC with Lucid Body, Speak the Speech, Theatrical Intimacy Education, and advanced stage combat. She has directed, written, and produced shows that celebrate humor, heart, and humanity.
As Academy Director, Erin’s mission is to provide accessible, high-quality programming across theatre disciplines while nurturing a creative community built on kindness, safety, and inclusion. She believes theatre is a place to share truth, build connection, and transform the world- one story at a time.
Tom brings 30 years of experience in technical, marketing, and performance fields to HART. His technical experience spans event construction and production, theatrical lighting and sound management, and training, with a decade of work in Atlanta. He has also worked in radio and film production and even built tiny homes.
In marketing, Tom honed his skills in loyalty marketing at both the oldest and newest casinos on The Strip in Las Vegas, developing successful loyalty programs for both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
As a performer, Tom has a rich 30-year history in theater, film, orchestra, radio, stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy. Recently returning to full-length plays and musicals, he spent the last ten years teaching and performing improv comedy, as well as producing and directing one-act stage plays in the Atlanta area.
Tom is excited to bring his diverse talents to HART and contribute to the vibrant community.
Will serves as HART’s Front of House Manager, overseeing box office operations and house management for all productions and ensuring every patron has a welcoming, seamless, and positive experience. From first ticket purchase to final curtain call, Will is committed to creating an environment where audiences feel valued, supported, and excited to return.
Will joined HART after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Music Industry from Western Carolina University. During his time at WCU, he served as President of his fraternity and as a section leader in the WCU Marching Band for two years, as well as principal tuba in the Wind Ensemble, experiences that strengthened his leadership skills, collaboration, and ability to manage people in fast-paced, public-facing environments.
A musician at heart, Will plays tuba and bass, both on stage and in his free time, and brings a deep appreciation for the artist’s perspective to his work. With a strong background in the performing arts and a genuine passion for community-building, he takes pride in delivering excellent customer service while helping create memorable experiences for audiences and artists alike.
Nichole made her stage debut at the age of three in The Nutcracker and has since been deeply immersed in the world of theater. She has worked behind the scenes at HART for numerous main stage productions, including Footloose, All Shook Up, Billy Goat Gruff, Facility for Living, Say Goodnight Gracie, Stardust, The Foreigner, A Christmas Carol, and The Bridges of Madison County, as well as for the Academy at HART. Additionally, she has directed multiple productions at HART, including, Constellations and Lizzie.
Born into the arts world, Nichole has been a dedicated volunteer at HART for many years, where she also manages HART’s social media presence. Nichole is now delighted to be a part of the wonderful staff, leveraging her multifaceted talents to enrich the theater community.