Mission Statement
Mill Mountain Theatre strives to inspire, entertain, enrich, educate and challenge audiences of Southwest Virginia through high-quality, professional theatrical productions and experiences. We are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of theatre artists and audiences through conservatory classes and programming aimed at education and community engagement; and are committed to ensuring the long term economic and artistic sustainability of the performing arts in the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia.
Vision Statement
To continue to lead the artistic and cultural growth for Roanoke, Virginia, and to enhance the quality of life in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
To cultivate a loyal audience that will support a variety of programming and enjoy the inherent rewards of pushing artistic boundaries, thus ensuring our long term sustainability.
To represent a national theatre conversation within our region and be a regional beacon for artistic excellence.
To deepen our community ties through creative engagement with new students, audiences and partners in a growing and diversifying region by our taking work outside of our walls and offering accessible programming onsite.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Mill Mountain Theatre is taking actionable steps to provide and increase opportunities for BIPOC artists and theatre-makers. We are focused to ensure authentic casting that reflects the creative vision of each work we produce. Our creative team is committed to fostering a safe environment for all, on and off our stage.
MMT cares about the well-being of our artists, staff, patrons and volunteers and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism. We can do more. And we are.
Land Acknowledgement
This acknowledgment draws upon language originally developed by the Hollins Playwright’s Lab for their Conference on Applied Theatre in 2020.
In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, we acknowledge the Tutelo/Monacan people, as well as other Indigenous peoples, whose land on which Mill Mountain Theatre now resides. We recognize their historical and ongoing connection to this land, this water, and this air. We do this to pay respect to the Tutelo/Monacan Nations, and to their elders past, present, and emerging. We hope to inspire greater curiosity among non-Native peoples about the land on which they live, to halt the erasure of Indigenous history, and to encourage support of Indigenous communities both locally and globally.
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No More 10 out of 12’s
Mill Mountain Theatre is committed to taking care of its artists and staff members. We changed our operational practices for our entire 2021 season to eliminate the 10 out of 12 workdays during the tech process. We have shifted our tech process over three days and not two, allowing everyone to be released after a regular eight-hour day. MMT continues scheduling meals at appropriate times throughout the day and getting adequate rest before the next. MMT is committed to sticking with this cultural shift and has implemented this new way of approaching opening shows to our 2022 season calendar and beyond.
For more information please visit https://nomore10outof12s.com/
History
In 1964, two New York producers established a summer stock theatre n a vacant resort inn on the highest point in Roanoke, Virginia. Soon dubbed Mill Mountain Playhouse, the company underwent a series of institutional changes, finally incorporating as a not-for-profit, non-Equity resident stock theatre. When the original playhouse burned down in 1976, the company moved to the recently re-opened Grandin Theatre, an old movie house in an established neighborhood. With the opening of Center in the Square in 1983 came a year-round class schedule and a new name—Mill Mountain Theatre. The growing company’s ever-increasing quality and scope was a major force in the renaissance of downtown Roanoke.
From these modest beginnings grew one of the most respected regional theatres in the US. Mill Mountain Theatre now presents world premieres, dramatic classics, full-scale musicals, youth-oriented classes and educational classes for all ages—on its two stages in Roanoke, and touring productions that travel throughout Virginia.
Within its shops and offices spread across the Center in the Square complex, Mill Mountain Theatre has created more than 400 productions, including world and regional premieres; the national hit All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten; and the American premiere of Children of Eden.
The Norfolk Southern Festival of New Works served as an annual home for the winners of the Mill Mountain Theatre New Play Competition (no longer running), and now showcases other notable playwrights like Sherry Kramer (Partial Objects); Jeffrey Stanley (Tesla’s Letters and Medicine, Man); Julie Jensen (Tenderhooks, Last Lists of My Mad Mother); Tom Ziegler (Grace and Glorie); Jim Henry (Angels of Lemnos); and Robert Caisley (The 22-Day Adagio).
As a professional, year-round, regional theatre with roots in its community and excellence as its primary objective, Mill Mountain Theatre has proudly served the region and the industry for more than 50 years.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The purpose of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy is to ensure equal opportunity in the conduct of all Mill Mountain Theatre business activities.
In addition, MMT business decisions shall be made without regard to the following: race, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, age, disability, U.S. veteran status, or sexual orientation.
It is the policy of MMT to provide an atmosphere free of:
- Religious bias.
- Harassment on the basis of a person’s national origin.
- Discrimination against any employee or applicant because he/she is a disabled veteran.
- Discrimination against any employee or applicant as a result of their physical disability in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) is intended to protect qualified individuals with disabilities against discrimination in employment and in the provision of services to the public. MMT is committed to compliance with the ADA and will engage in the interactive process with the candidate or employee to determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be found as soon as it is put on notice of the potential need for an accommodation. All employees are strictly prohibited from discriminating against qualified applicants or employees with actual or perceived disabilities, or patrons with actual or perceived disabilities. All requests for accommodation should be made in writing and directed to the Producing Artistic Director.
Hearing Assistance
MMT is happy to provide hearing assistance devices for patrons. Please see the concessions stand at any MainStage show for more information or to receive your device.
Sensory-Friendly Kits
MMT offers sensory-friendly kits for our patrons to borrow. Our sensory-friendly kits include sound-dampening ear muffs, disposable ear plugs, a fidget spinner, chewing gum and sunglasses. Please see the concessions stand at any MainStage or Waldron show for more information or to receive your kit.
