Mill Mountain Theatre is among the many regional theatres across the country that have had to make difficult programming decisions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In adapting to the recommended safety precautions, the theatre’s education department has successfully delivered theatre instruction to over 600 students around the globe through virtual masterclasses and online summer camps since March.
Mill Mountain has been granted permission by the writers of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (Melvin Tunstall III, Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons) and Broadway Licensing to produce a digital version of the production that will be streamed to MMT’s patrons and to community partners through Broadway on Demand. This production will fill the place of Mill Mountain’s usual summer tour by providing free entertainment and education to the Roanoke community. Director Christopher Castanho shares his gratitude for the ability to produce this show digitally: “Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is exactly what the world needs right now. Major thanks to the writers, Melvin Tunstall III, Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons, who have granted us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to produce their beautiful show. I could not be more excited to share this story of inclusion and love.”
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is about 8-year-old Lily Polkadot, who has just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway, and is the first Polkadot in an all Square school. Experiencing everything from daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily feels hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected friendship. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson, reminding us that our differences make us special, not outcasts.
The Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical cast is made up of six non-equity actors, who also comprise Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2020 Apprentice Company. The Apprenticeship at Mill Mountain Theatre is an immersive experience designed to propel young artists into their professional careers. The 2020 Company will spend their time at MMT rehearsing and performing Polkadots, as well as taking masterclasses with MMT and guest instructors.
Alexia Buckner (Lily) is so happy to be working with Mill Mountain Theatre this summer! She is a recent graduate of the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University. During her time in school, she was given many opportunities to star in shows as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, and the ferocious Dragon in Shrek the Musical. When she is not onstage, she loves to spend her time in aerial gyms, traveling, and watching Food Network. Follow her @thealexiabuckner to see what else she’s working on!
Achilles Mulkey (Sky) is overjoyed to be working with Mill Mountain Theatre for the first time! He is a theatre artist, instrumentalist, and writer originally from NW Arkansas. Favorite credits include: Mr. Mistoffelees (CATS), Giuliano (BIG LOVE), and Peter Pan (THE LOST GIRL). In his spare time, he enjoys photography, exploring nature, and a good cup of tea. Training: Viterbo University (BFA Music Theatre), RAD Ballet. Special thanks to his family, Kai, and the cats. IG: achillesmulkey / achillesmulkey.com
Nisa Isabella Mercado (Penelope) is so excited to be joining Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2020 apprentice company! Although she was born and raised in California, she decided to further pursue her dreams of being a professional performer at Shenandoah Conservatory and just finished up her senior year as a BFA Musical Theatre major! Her favorite credits include, Diana Morales in A CHORUS LINE at Heritage Theatre Festival, Belinda Blair in NOISES OFF at Shenandoah Conservatory and U/S Glinda and ensemble in THE WIZ at Virginia Repertory Theatre.
Roberto Méndez (Papa Square) is originally from Puerto Rico, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was nearly nine years old. He now lives in Columbus, Georgia where he is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance at Columbus State University. He is thrilled to be back at Mill Mountain Theatre where you may have seen him last as Ernst in ‘Spring Awakening’, or as Snail in ‘A Year with Frog and Toad’. He also hopes you enjoy the show as well as its pertinent message.
Madeline Walker (Ms. Square) recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BFA in Musical Theatre and minor in dance. She was a member of MMT’s 2018 Apprentice Company and returned last summer to perform in their Let’s Go to the Movies concert. Madeline enjoys performing at Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. Theatre UCF credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Miss Single), Hot Mikado (Yum Yum), and Oklahoma! (U/S Ado Annie). MsMadelineMae.com
AnnElese Galleo (Swing) is a Salem-grown performer, creative artist, educator, and writer. A former Mill Mountain Conservatory student and summer intern, AnnElese is currently pursuing her BFA in Music Theatre at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Some of her favorite credits include Shrek (Fiona), Spring Awakening (Anna), and Newsies (Ensemble/Dance Captain). She is delighted to be back at Mill Mountain during this time to create art with such friendly faces.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical will be released on September 15th in honor of National Online Learning Day, and runs until October 9th. The production will be completely FREE and available through Broadway On Demand. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is presented with special permission through Broadway Licensing. Join MMT’s mailing list to get more updates on how to get your FREE access code to watch the show and join the fun; Visit millmountain.org/polkadots to learn more.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical has a Book by Melvin Tunstall III, Music by Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons, & Lyrics by Douglas Lyons. MMT’s production is Directed & Choreographed for the Stage & Screen by Christopher Castanho, and Music Directed by Seth Davis, with Producing Artistic Direction by Ginger Poole, Production Stage Management by Taylor Cobb, Scenic & Properties Design by Matt Shields, Costume Design by Cole Spivia, Lighting Design by Travis Kendrick, Projections Design by Victoria Buck, Costume Support by AnnElese Galleo and Jennie Ruhland, Sound Support by Dylan Francis with Stage Sound, & Video Editing by Christopher Castanho.
Support for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical comes from all of MMT’s 2020 Season Sponsors: Avis Construction Company, Inc.; BB&T Wealth, Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc.; Boxley Materials Co.; Brandon Oaks Retirement Community; Business Solutions Inc.; chocolatepaper; Claytor / Wirt Associate; The Convergence Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Davenport & Co.; Davis H. Elliot Co.; Dixon Hubard Feinour & Brown; Dominion Risk Advisors; The Dunkenberger Waskey Group at Morgan Stanley; Elk Hill Advisors, Inc.; Entre Computer Center; First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.; 5Points Creative; Freedom First Credit Union; Friendship Foundation; Frith Anderson + Peake; Gentry Locke Attorneys; The Glebe; Harry “Skip” W. Hamilton, III at Davenport & Company; John H. and Michelle S. Higginbotham Family Foundation; Howell’s Motor Freight Inc.; Innovative Insurance Group; Interactive Design Group; Jewell Machinery, Inc.; Lunsford, A Trustpoint Company; Member One Federal Credit Union; Miller, Long & Associates & Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Long; Oakey’s Funeral Service and Crematory; P1 Technologies, Inc.; Pinnacle Financial Partners; B. J. Preas; Roanoke Animal Hospital; The Roanoke Star.com; Roanoke Valley Orthodontics; Rutherfoord, a Marsh and McLennan Agency; Skyline Capital Strategies LLC; Skyline National Bank; Sun Tan City; Woods Rogers. Grantors include City of Roanoke Arts Commission; City of Salem; Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia; Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation; The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke; The Louise R. Lester Foundation; Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; Southeastern Theatre Conference; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Actors’ Equity Association; Blue Star Theatres; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; WVTF/Radio IQ.
