Maria Howell didn’t have to travel far for one of her most prestigious film productions to date.

The Gastonia native currently resides just outside of Charlotte, resulting in a mere two hour trip from home last year to work on Summer Camp, which was filmed primarily at Camp Pinnacle in Hendersonville, with additional shooting days at Pardee Hospital, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and other area spots.

Under the guidance of writer/director Castille Landon, and part of an ensemble that includes Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Eugene Levy, and Dennis Haysbert, Howell plays Judy, best friends of fellow Mean Girls/Queen Bees, Jane (Beverly D'Angelo) and Evelyn (Victoria Rowell), who run Camp Pinnacle as teens and 50 years later during a reunion weekend.

A little over a week before opening day, Howell spoke with Asheville Movies about working in her home state, bowling with her famous co-stars, and the health of the North Carolina film and TV industry.

Edwin Arnaudin: Do you still have a lot of family in the state?

Maria Howell: Yeah! Actually, I'm the only one that really went far away because I've lived in quite a few places. But most all of my siblings are still in the area and within a 45-minute radius.

EA: And prior to the filming of Summer Camp, had you had much history with the Hendersonville/Asheville side of the state?

MH: Singing-wise, yes. I started out my career as a singer and I used to be on the college circuit. So, we're talking Western Carolina [University], UNC Asheville — all those schools up in that area, I would perform at. It was many years ago.

EA: Nice! It's fun to be able to talk about such a local production. We haven't gotten that many notable ones recently. So, for you being a North Carolina native, what was the personal significance of getting to make a film in your home state with so many legendary stars?

MH: Well, that's a multi-level answer.

When I started my career, I loved the fact that most of the films I did were in Wilmington, North Carolina. And so to have gone to New York [City], Japan, Atlanta, L.A., and then come back as a result of the [COVID-19] pandemic, bringing people back to places they didn't think they'd be, it's joyous for me to be able not to have to go so far away to do film work.

And North Carolina is beautiful. I mean, we have all the different terrains. We've got the mountains, the Piedmont, and the beach, so it's a wonder. And all kinds of small towns — and Hendersonville was really cute, too. I had never roamed that downtown area, so it was great.

EA: Had many of your co-stars spent much time in Western North Carolina either?

MH: I don't think so, but they got their fill on the film. [laughs]

EA: [laughs] Nice. I mean, there’s so much natural beauty and it's captured in the film. I was curious if there are any notable comments that any of your colleagues made about the area that have really stuck with you?

MH: Oh, yeah! For example, my two sidekicks, I'll say: “the girls”; “The Pretty Committee” — Victoria Rowell as well as Beverly D’Angelo — we had a beautiful time, especially some of the scenes where we were whitewater rafting [on the Nantahala River]. That's a whole other interview…[laughs] But I remember we were sitting on the raft and they would talk about how beautiful it was and how peaceful. We would get to certain parts of it and it's like, “Wow!”

And then [the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad] train goes by — if you're familiar with that area, there's a train that goes by, which is really cool, while you're in the falls. But they talked quite a bit — especially Victoria — quite a bit about the mountains and how picturesque it was. And I was very proud to say I'm from North Carolina.

EA: Excellent! You mentioned you got to explore Hendersonville a little bit while you were there. Did you and your little triangle get to check out any other places in the area?

MH: Well, I actually explored alone because I don't think anybody enjoys shopping with me —  simply because I'm not a big, big shopper. But I love going inside and outside of stores and coffee shops. You know…you want to graze. [laughs] But the three of us went out bowling together.

EA: Nice!

MH: I found out we’re all competitive…

EA: OK! [laughs]

MH: [laughs] …in a good, healthy way, we're all competitive. It's so much fun. And that was, oh, Cherokee? We also went close to Cherokee. So, we covered a lot of ground in that area where we would lodge. It was really beautiful.

EA: Very nice. I grew up in Brevard, not too far from Hendersonville, and went to Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville as a kid. So it was very familiar territory for me. And looking back, one of the joys of doing that was getting to stay in touch with these new friends that you made. I didn't know if the summer camp experience for you as an adult has been similar — have you stayed in touch with this tight triangle that you had?

MH: I do! And it's interesting because I had gone to camp when I was a kid. And so being back on a campground was like, “Wow! What memories.” And yes, we stay in touch. And it's really pleasant. Victoria Rowell has co-written and directed a new film [Christmas in the Friendly Skies] that's going to be coming out. And I had the wonderful opportunity to work with her on that as well. So, I think the friendships are in place for the long haul.

EA: I’m glad to hear that.

MH: We're the Pretty Committee, and I wore pink today because I'm in a lot of pink in the film. [laughs]

EA: [laughs] Yeah! And you mentioned Wilmington. That's actually where I was born and lived the first seven years of my life — and had some touches with the film industry as a kid. I actually tried out for The Prince of Tides as a four- or five-year-old. [laughs]

MH: Oh my god.

EA: So, I’ve definitely been in touch with the state film scene and it's evolved a lot, obviously, over the years. And like I mentioned, it's been about 10 years since the Asheville area’s had a notable production. But like you said, I've spoken with some people in Wilmington who say it's as busy as ever. So being in the state and having so much experience, what are your thoughts on the current state of North Carolina's film industry?

MH: Well, it is coming along. Two years ago, I did a film in Salisbury, North Carolina. That's not too far outside of Charlotte. And that was for the Hallmark Mahogany series of films. So just the fact that they are bringing more and more shows back to North Carolina… I also did a TV show called Delilah in Charlotte. And I did [A Christmas Love Story] with Kristin Chenoweth.

All of this has been within the most recent six years. For me, in my life and career, that's a lot. And I'm very happy to see it coming back. I really am. I have high hopes for our home state.

EA: Even a lot of Asheville area actors, they'll still go down to Georgia a lot for the Netflix and Disney/Marvel stuff, too. So, yeah, it is nice to hear that there's more coming.

And lastly, with this being kind of a backyard production in a lot of ways for you, I'm curious about local screenings in Charlotte or the area. Are you getting to participate in some Q&As or other in-person things?

MH: I won't be able to because I'm actually going out of the country this weekend, so when it hits the theaters, I'm not even going to be here to see it the night when it hits theaters. So, unfortunately, I won't be able to, but I look forward to something when I get back — even if that's just gathering with my family. They'll have to see it twice, because I’m urging them all to go out on opening night.

EA: Very good. Yeah, it's opening in a little indie theater called the Grail Moviehouse in Asheville next Friday. And I think it's going to be pulling people from all over the area to come see it. I think it'll do really well here.

MH: Someone had reached out to me and I was so regretful. I really would love to go up there and see it. I'd like to make every premiere of it, just to get the audience's reaction because I know that people are going to be laughing hard. It's funny. [laughs] Can't go wrong with this cast.

EA: Yeah, it's star-studded, top to bottom. And it’s cool to see them in familiar places, too. It's checking a lot of boxes.

MH: There are people now saying to me, “I was in it, too!” And I'm like, “Oh my god! Our scenes weren't together. I didn't see you.”

But my very first film was The Color Purple — we call it “the original” now. Gosh — and that was the same situation. So many people! And this is one of those types of movies where there are a lot of extras and supporting roles. There are so many people that had a great opportunity, and it’s going to be fun over time to get to know who all was in the film. So, I look forward to that myself.

On Saturday, June 1, Summer Camp writer/director Castille Landon and producer Dori Rath will participate in Q&As following the 4:20 p.m., and 7:05 p.m., screenings at Epic Theatres of Hendersonville. Purchase advance tickets here.

(From left, Maria Howell, Beverly D’Angelo, and Victoria Rowell. Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions)