AUDITIONS FOR MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE’S 2019 SEASON will be held at Pearl Studios in New York, NY January 14 & 15, with invited callbacks January 16:

Monday, January 14:

Equity Principal Auditions: 9:30AM-12:30PM & 2:00-6:00PM

(Lunch Break 12:30-1:00PM)

[Mamma Mia DANCE CALL from 1:00-2:00PM]

Tuesday, January 15:

Non-Equity BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: 9:30AM-12:30PM & 2:00-6:00PM (Lunch Break 12:30-1:00PM)

[Mamma Mia DANCE CALL from 1:00-2:00PM]

Wednesday, January 16:

Invited Callbacks: 9:00-11:30AM

AEA members: information about the EPA on January 14, including relevant breakdowns, has gone out through AEA.

Non-Equity: please read carefully below on how to submit for an appointment for January 15:

If you are interested in auditioning on January 15th, please email a headshot, resume, and relevant reel footage to auditions@nullmillmountain.org with ‘NYC AUDITIONS’ in the subject line.

*In the email submission, please denote if you have local housing (within ~30 miles of Downtown Roanoke) available.

*Please Note:  We are not casting for our Summer Apprentice Company in New York.  If you are a current college student and interested in the Summer Apprentice Company, please submit a video audition to auditions@nullmillmountain.org, or plan to attend our local auditions in Roanoke, VA.

PLEASE PREPARE:

A one-minute song, if auditioning for Mamma Mia, Next To Normal, or the Holiday Show (TBA). We may ask to hear a one-minute monologue or contrasting one-minute song.

A one-minute monologue if auditioning for The Glass Menagerie or Every Brilliant Thing. We may ask you to read sides.

Actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition for all roles.

MAMMA MIA

Music and Lyrics by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson

Book by Catherine Johnson

Rehearsals March 5 – 26

Previews & Performances March 27 – April 14

DONNA: Female, 40s. The owner of the Taverna on the Greek island of Kalokairi; Sophie’s mother. She is the former lead singer of ‘Donna and the Dynamos.’ Honest, straight and hard-working, she is the most naturalistic and vulnerable of the characters. Seeking a strong singer-storyteller capable of carrying the show. Principal role.

SOPHIE: Female, 18-25: A very special young woman who is determined to find the romance and happiness she feels eluded her mother. Has an adventurous spirit even though she pursues a conventional marriage. Must be able to move extremely well; Pop Soprano. Principal role.

TANYA: Female, 35-45: A former singer in the “Dynamos.” Rich, sophisticated, acerbic, funny, and witty. Actress who sings. Must be able to move extremely well. Supporting principal role.

ROSIE: Female, 35-45: Also a former singer in the “Dynamos” who now writes for and runs a feminist press. She’s confident, strong, and funny on the outside but shy underneath. Kooky and fun, good comic actress, a bit of a clown. Actress who sings. Must be able to move extremely well. Supporting principal role.

SAM: Male, Baritone, 35-45: Donna’s ex and potential father to Sophie. May be Sophie’s father. Left Donna 20 years ago because he was engaged to another woman. Charming, successful architect. Actor who sings. Should be able to move well. Supporting principal role.

HARRY: Male, High Baritone, Tenor, 35-45: Donna’s ex and potential father to Sophie. British financier, wealthy, buttoned-up, and conservative but trying to reconnect with his freer, youthful self. Must do a very convincing English accent. Also an actor who sings. Should be able to move well. Supporting principal role.

BILL: Male, 35-45: Donna’s ex and potential father to Sophie. A travel writer with no possessions or strings. Good-natured, always ready for adventure. Funny, comedic actor. Should be able to move well. Supporting principal role.

LISA: Female, 18-25: Sophie’s friend who arrives to be a bridesmaid. Very energetic and kooky. Must be able to dance. Featured ensemble role.

ALI: Female, 18-25: Sophie’s friend. Impulsive and fun. Should contrast to Lisa and Sophie. Must be able to dance. Featured ensemble role.

SKY: Male, 20s; Sophie’s fiance. Athletic, attractive – was a successful businessman. Left to help Donna with her taverna and marry Sophie. Featured ensemble role.

PEPPER: Male, Baritone/Tenor, 20s; Sky’s friend. Helps run the hotel. Charming, loves women, always flirting. Must be able to dance. Acrobatic skills a plus. Featured ensemble role.

EDDIE: Male, Baritone/Tenor, 20s; Another friend of Sky and hotel worker. Laid-back, easygoing. Must be able to dance. Featured ensemble role.

ENSEMBLE: Dynamic male and female dancers with vocal range and comedic chops to play the islanders, workers at Donna’s, wedding guests, etc.

NEXT TO NORMAL

Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Music by Tom Kitt

Rehearsals May 20 – June 19

Preview & Performances June 20 – 29

DIANA: Female, Mid 30s-40s, strong belt voice. A sexy and sharp housewife; mother to Natalie and Gabe, and wife to Dan; manic-depressive and delusional. She suffers from a worsening bipolar disorder that has been medicated for sixteen years. Seeking a strong singer/actress who capture the audience’s empathy, and can cover the full emotional range that this role requires, including a crucial and deadly sense of humor.

DAN: Male, Mid 30s-40s, high baritone/tenor with a rock sound. Diana’s husband and the father to Gabe and Natalie. An architect, he is handsome and genuine, and perpetually frustrated. He provides a non-ending support for his family as he fights to keep his wife’s mind and illness stable. A belabored, dedicated father, also with a wicked sense of absurdist humor.

GABE: Male, 18-20s, rock tenor with strong falsetto. Diana and Dan’s son, he is dashing, gentle, bright, and playful. He can be both an angel and a demon to his mother, who idolizes him as a superhero.

NATALIE: Female, 18-20s, strong pop/rock belt. Diana and Dan’s daughter. Compelling, attractive in her own unique way, bright, contentious, and trying to be perfect. She is also a classically trained pianist who takes refuge in the practice room. Vocal range (belt/mix to an E).

HENRY: Male, 18-20s, high baritone/tenor. A jazz musician, romantic, stoner, slacker, philosopher king; compelling and charismatic. A classmate of Natalie and eventually her boyfriend, he supports her during one of the roughest times in her life.

MADDEN/DOCTOR FINE: Male, 20s. Diana’s doctor. He is assured, charismatic, a rock star of psychiatry, on the young side of ageless. Vocal range (high baritone/tenor to A with a rock sound).

THE GLASS MENAGERIE

By Tennessee Williams

Rehearsals September 3 – 24

Previews & Performances September 25 – October 6

AMANDA WINGFIELD (The Mother): Female, 40s-50s. An iron butterfly; a proud woman fiercely devoted to her children; still holds onto the ideals of her genteel southern upbringing; girlish and grotesque; narcissistic and loving; sensitive and harsh; a realist while living in the reveries of a life long vanished; charming and manipulative; a survivor.

TOM WINGFIELD  (The Son): Male, 20s-30s (30s in the present, 21 in the memory).  The narrator of the play; a poet who works in a warehouse; caught between responsibility to his family and following his dreams; explosive, mercurial, lonely, and caring; deeply devoted to his sister; a suffocating dreamer.

LAURA WINGFIELD (The Daughter): Female, early 20s. She is sensitive and painfully shy; a childhood illness has left her physically impaired; retreats from reality through her collection of glass animals; loves her mother and brother; always puts others before herself.

JIM O-CONNOR (The Gentleman Caller): Male, 20s. Tom’’s lone friend at the warehouse and former classmate of Laura’’s; a nice guy; pleasant in appearance and demeanor; peaked in high school; he is the outside world.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

By Duncan Macmillan

Rehearsals October 22 – November 6

Previews & Performances November 7 – 10

ACTOR:  There is only one actor, any gender, any race, but just one. 20s to 40s. Seeking charming, engaging, warm actor with emotional depth, great comedic timing, and a sensitivity to the subject matter of depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love. Must have the ability to draw an audience in with their honesty and truthful storytelling; able to make an audience feel at home and comfortable. Experience and expertise in improvisation with others would be a vital advantage.

HOLIDAY MUSICAL TBA

Rehearsals November 12 – December 3

Previews & Performances December 4 – 22

SEEKING: Adult actors of all ages to perform in our holiday musical.  Due to our licensing agreement, we are not allowed to divulge this title until Spring of 2019.

If you are interested in auditioning on January 14th & 15th, please email a headshot, resume and relevant reel footage to auditions@nullmillmountain.org with ‘NYC AUDITIONS’ in the subject line.  In the email submission, please denote if you have local housing (within ~30 miles of Downtown Roanoke) available.

1. GIFT CARD IN ANY AMOUNT

You choose the dollar amount, they choose the show. This is the most flexible gift– perfect for anyone on your list! Call the box office at 540-342-5740 to purchase.

2.TICKETS FOR TWO

We’ve got a bunch of fun shows that are perfect for date night, like Mamma Mia, Next To Normal, Music of the 60’s, and Let’s Go To The Movies. Packs of two range from $30-$78. Visit millmountain.org/shows to secure those seats.

3. TUITION TO MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE CONSERVATORY

Give the gift of a theatre education with a class tuition this holiday season. Course offerings for students Pre-K through Adult. Visit millmountain.org/class to learn more. One class costs between $150 – $200 total for 9 weeks of instruction.

For decades, The Christmas Cup has been a tradition for people of all ages to herald the holidays in a truly meaningful way. Now Mill Mountain Theatre brings that novel back to its stage for the fourth time in a new adaptation by the book’s author, long-time Roanoke educator and children’s novelist Nancy Ruth Patterson. The show will have a cast of seventeen actors, including professional equity performers and local children. The Christmas Cup runs December 5th to the 23rd on the Trinkle MainStage.

When The Christmas Cup novel debuted in 1989, reviewers across the country praised the book. The Los Angeles Times called it “a soft-spoken message of year-round kindness that sounds the right chord for the season.” School Library Journal gave it a starred review, saying “this story exemplifies and transcends the season with its joy in purposeful living.” Roanoke theatre patrons adored the play adaptation when it premiered, claiming the traditional messages resonated with their children in a way few other stories had.

The story of Ann Megan McCallie, third- grade recipient of the Good Citizenship Award, spelling bee champion, and favorite target of bullies, displays the events that unfold after she foolishly buys an old, ugly milkshake cup at an auction. Nannie, her wise grandmother, helps Megan turn that unwanted cup into a vessel of good cheer as together they secretly find a way to make “memories in a milkshake cup.” Along the way, Megan learns to appreciate those who seem different and to be on the look-out for selfless acts of kindness. She learns that sometimes, it’s not the gift, but the giving itself, that makes life special.

The Christmas Cup stars Christy Smith Treece* (Older Megan), Mikayla Parker (Little M), and Barbara Bradshaw* (Nannie). Also featuring: Campbell Allen (Linda), Isabel Braby (Child Ensemble), Connor Dunford (Isaac Yoder), Patrick Kennerly (Mr. Dumphrey & Mr. Burkholder), Pat LoRicco (Joseph Yoder) Sylvia MacNab (Brenda), Charles Meidlinger (Charlie), Sally Moulse (Miss Annie), Sawyer Mullins (Willis), April Parker (Elizabeth Yoder), Quinn Roudebush (Rachel Yoder), Kris Sorensen (Miss Finney), Griffin Shaver (Child Ensemble), and Henry Stevens (Charlie’s Friend).

The Christmas Cup is written by Nancy Ruth Patterson, Directed by Travis Kendrick, with Lighting Design by Bill Webb, Scenic Design by Jimmy Ray Ward, Costume Design by Jessica Gaffney, Properties Design by Matt Shields, and Production Stage Managed by Jessica Edwards*. Technical Direction by Karen Gierchak, Producing Artistic Direction by Ginger Poole, Assistant Stage Management by Elizabeth Bradley, and Sound Consultation by Ayme Gierchak.

*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Sponsors for The Christmas Cup include: B.J. Preas, Better Sofas, Inc., Boxley Materials Company, Brooks Financial Group, Business Solutions, Inc., Chas. Lunsford Sons & Associates , Inc., chocolatepaper, Claytor/Wirt Associates, Davenport & Company LLC, Dixon, Hubard, Feinour & Brown, Inc., Dominion Risk Advisors, Freedom First Credit Union, Frith Anderson & Peake, PC, Integrated Textile Solutions, Interactive Design Group, Miller, Long & Associates, Inc; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Long, Oakey’s Funeral Service & Crematory, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Roanoke Animal Hospital, Roanoke Gas Co. / RGC Resources, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Rutherfoord, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, The Convergence Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and The W.E.McGuire Foundation. Grantors include: Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Be sure to secure your seats to ‘The Christmas Cup’ running December 5 – 23 on the Trinkle MainStage.  Evening performances on Saturday have been adjusted to 5pm for families. Tickets range from $20-25 and can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling 540-342-5740.

Mill Mountain Theatre wants you to write about the following prompt:

In The Christmas Cup, Megan McCallie learns the true spirit of the holidays by making a list of all the people who had been especially good to her that year. Outside of your immediate family, who would be at the top of your Christmas Cup list, and why?  

Contest Rules:

The contest begins on November 1st, 2018. You can submit your essay any time during the submission period but the deadline for all essays to be submitted is December 1st, 2018. There will be two divisions within the contest, youth: grades 5-12 and adult. Mill Mountain Theatre will have their contest judge review each essay and two winners will be chosen – one from the youth division (grades 5-12) and one from the adult division. 

 Contest Prizes:

The winning articles will be published in The Roanoke Times! Both winners will each receive two tickets to “The Christmas Cup” and a scholarship to a class at Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory 2019.

Winners will be contacted via email address submitted in addition to being announced on social media and The Roanoke Times!

Mill Mountain Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole calls A Simple Gift, the theatre’s first major fundraiser in more than a decade, a celebration in three acts: fine food; the show itself; and a festive dessert.

“Nancy Ruth Patterson’s play, A Simple Gift, brought crowds to its feet when it premiered in 2008,” Poole said.  “We’ve sandwiched that play, called Nancy’s love song to the theatre and love song to life, between a sophisticated stand -up supper and open bar sprawled out over Center in the Square and a dessert buffet accompanied by show tunes and bubbly toasts. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about this once-in-a lifetime celebration.”

Headliners for the play itself include two of the playwright’s former students, who are returning home to join the Mill Mountain Theatre family in honoring Patterson’s lifelong creativity and devotion to this community. Stage and television actor Trey Ellett , whose credits include Rent and Amelie on Broadway and the  National Tour of If/Then, joins his lifelong friend and Mill Mountain Theatre favorite Christy Smith Treece, on stage. Others featured in the cast include Emmy-Award Winner Natalie Faunce, retired Hollins University President (and former high school drama teacher) Nancy Gray, attorney/actor Carter Brothers, Ginger Poole Avis, and the real star, a well-loved poodle.  A large cast of some of Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory’s finest students is headlined by Charlotte Pearl. The play is directed by MMT Director of Education, Travis Kendrick.

A Simple Gift tells the story of two former residents of fictional Brownsville, North Carolina – one who found fame on Broadway and the other as a children’s writer – accept the invitation from an old teacher to put on a performance of her book, Michael Madigan’s Curtain Call, as a gift to the hometown that raised them both. When the author’s ten-year-old want-to-be-actor daughter begs to audition for the play, she finds out that no matter what, the show must go on, and so much can depend on the simplest of gifts.

Tickets for the November 10, one –night- only (6:30-9:00 p.m.) event are now on sale for $100 each. A portion of that price is a donation to MMT to complete renovations of the Waldron Stage, home of its Conservatory, as a green space.  

Contact events@nullmillmountain.org or call 540-342-5761 for more information or to buy tickets

Nancy Ruth Patterson’s A Simple Gift returns to the Trinkle MainStage this November for a one-night only fundraiser performance on November 10th, 2018.

This special event will feature ten local children in addition to Broadway performer Trey Ellett (Rent & Amelie), Roanoke favorite Christy Treece, MMT Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole, Board President Nancy Gray, and more.

Don’t miss this one-night only fundraiser performance

A Simple Gift is about 10-year-old Carrie O’Connor, who wants to be an actress. After starring in her class play at her New York City school, she convinces her parents to let her audition for a theater in North Carolina that is doing a play based on a book written by her mother! A plucky audition gets Carrie in the cast, but before opening night she makes a blunder so big it threatens to topple the whole production.

Before the show begins, you are invited to enjoy a catered Standing Supper full of delicious delights and an expansive open bar beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Center in the Square. Then, experience the exclusive one-night only performance of Nancy Ruth Patterson’s A Simple Gift on the Trinkle MainStage.

After the curtain call, join the cast for a star-studded celebration with dessert, bubbly, and Broadway favorites on the piano.

How To Get Tickets:

The goal of this fundraiser is to supplement generous grants from the Fishburn Foundation and the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust to renovate the Waldron Stage into a “green space” venue both for performances, as the home of the MMT Conservatory and to support other needs of Mill Mountain Theatre.

Tickets are $100 a person, and can only be purchased in advance by contacting events@nullmillmountain.org or call 540-342-5761. RSVP by October 15th. A portion of your ticket price will be a tax-exempt charitable gift to Mill Mountain Theatre.

Join the MMT Family in a special tribute to Nancy Ruth Patterson’s career-long creativity and devotion to our community.

Our upcoming 2019 season will consist of four main stage musicals on the Trinkle, three shows for Young Audiences, two productions in the Waldron Fringe Series, and two concerts in their Music Series. A brilliant balance of shows that all will enjoy.

TRINKLE MAINSTAGE SERIES

Four big-cast shows of drama, comedy, music, and family fun, all with impressive production quality.

Mamma Mia!

March 27 – April 14

With nonstop laughs, exhilarating dance numbers set to the iconic music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! has been a global smash hit since its premiere on Broadway in 2002. Notable songs include “Take A Chance on Me,” “Super Trouper,” “Dancing Queen”, and more!

WALDRON FRINGE SERIES

Two productions of cutting edge drama centered around the theme of mental wellness.

Every Brilliant Thing

November 7 – 10

YOUNG AUDIENCE SERIES

Three delightful productions, two in the Waldron, and one in the community, all encouraging literacy and for children to read.

Write Stuff!

April 12

Mill Mountain Theatre participates in the global celebration of composer Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with their production of  “West Side Story” running October 3rd through the 21st on the Trinkle MainStage. Led by Producing Artistic Director: Ginger Poole (Director) Broadway’s Nick Kepley (Choreographer), and Seth Davis (Resident Music Director), the production features twenty-seven performers hailing from New York City to Roanoke.

Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this classic follows warring families of teenaged gangs and star-crossed lovers, desperate for somewhere to be together forever. The romantic and violent story is told through choreography based on the Jerome Robbins original Tony Award-winning dances, with the music of Leonard Bernstein and the words of then beginner Stephen Sondheim. Since its Broadway debut 60 years ago, it has remained a shining example of the best of this truly American art form.

“West Side Story” runs Oct 3 – 21 on the Trinkle MainStage at Mill Mountain Theatre. Be sure to grab your tickets at millmountain.org or call 540-342-5740.

Sponsors of West Side Story include Avis Construction Company, Brooks Financial Group, Business Solutions, Corrugated Container Corp Inc., Entre Computer Center, Gentry Locke Attorneys, The Glebe, Member One Federal Credit Union, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Sun Tan City, SunTrust Bank, and Trane. Grantors include: Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and WVTF.

From the stage to TV and Film, some of the most amazing storytelling moments and memorable characters have come alive through the art form of puppetry. In this Masterclass, participants explore the basic techniques used by professional puppeteers, and learn to activate simple objects to tell exciting stories. Come and join in on the fun.

Mill Mountain Theatre unveils their exciting 2019 Season: September 20th from 6:30-8:00pm on the Trinkle MainStage. Big splashy musicals, thought provoking plays, and catchy concerts will populate the theatre’s stages, be the first to hear what you have to look forward to!

This public and free event will begin at 6:30pm with a cash bar and catered hors d’oeuvres, donated by Shula’s 347 Grill at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center in the Center in the Square Atrium, at 7:00pm patrons will gather in the Trinkle MainStage to view a special performance where MMT Staff and Guest Artists will reveal the 2019 Season. In addition to the performance, News Station WSLS will be at the Theatre to do live coverage of the event. Later that evening at 8:00pm, guests will be invited to view a live stream of the MMT Documentary on the big screen in the Theatre, the documentary program will also be shown on WSLS that evening.

Classics, Pulitzer-Prize Winning, and new works appear in the Trinkle MainStage Series, Waldron Fringe Series, Young Audience Series, and Music Series at MMT next year. This event will be your first chance to purchase season tickets.  Be sure to save the date and join the festivities on September 20th from 6:30-8:30pm at Mill Mountain Theatre.

RSVP on FaceBook to MMT’s 2019 Season Announcement 

Mill Mountain Theatre is gearing up for their upcoming concert ‘A Taste of Country’ August 24th and 25th on the Trinkle MainStage. All three singers: Devin Altizer, Trey Getz, and Lyndsay Ricketson are returning MMT alums.

We live in the birthplace of country music and all grew up with those songs and singers – from Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton to Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson. MMT invites you to savor a taste of the rich history of our nation’s authentic soundtrack in an evening of trucks, dogs, the open road and love – lost and found.

Be sure to secure your seats to ‘A Taste of Country’ running August 24 & 25 on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets range from $20- $25 and can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling 540-342-5740.  

Devin Altizer is excited to be back at MMT, having last appeared in Spring Awakening on the Waldron Stage. Additional MMT credits include One Hit Wonders and an Evening With Andrew Lloyd Webber. He grew up in Radford, VA, and holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Emory & Henry College. Favorite previous credits include The Great Gatsby (Nick Carraway), The Rocky Horror Show (Riff-Raff), Sweeney Todd (Toby), One Man, Two Guvnors (Alan/Gareth).

Trey Getz is excited to be returning to the MMT stage! Last MMT credit was being in the ensemble of “White Christmas”. Favorite credits include: Phil Davis (White Christmas), Mark (Rent) and Anthony (Sweeney Todd). After singing 4 contracts at Tokyo Disneyland with the show “Minnie Oh! Minnie”, Trey will be returning to Japan to debut a brand new Christmas show at Tokyo Disney Sea this coming winter season.

Lyndsay Ricketson – is thrilled to be back at Mill Mountain for their Taste of Country concert! You may have seen her earlier this year in Mill Mountain’s A Chorus Line  (Maggie) or Andrew Lloyd Webber Concert! Other regional credits include: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (DeLee), Kiss Me Kate (Lois Lane), Next to Normal (Natalie), Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbit), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Rhetta Cupp), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Little Women (Beth) and Hairspray in Concert (Penny).

A Taste of Country is Directed by Alicia Varcoe, Music Direction/Arranging by Seth Davis, Producing Artistic Direction by Ginger Poole, Lighting Design by Bill Webb, Sound Engineering by Ayme Gierchak, Technical Direction by Karen Gierchak, and Band Members: Seth Davis (keys), Evin Bowman (guitar), Jeff Hoffmann (bass) and JT Fauber (drums).

Sponsors for ‘A Taste of Country’: Skyline Capital Strategies LLC and American National Bank & Trust Company. Grantors include: Actors Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre Communications Group, Virginia Commission for the Arts, WVTF.

Get your tickets today by calling the MMT box office @ 540-342-5740 or by visiting millmountain.org  ‘A Taste of Country’ performs August 24th & 25th on the Trinkle MainStage.

Middle & High School Students interested in the ‘audition only’ Music Theatre Conservatory class at Mill Mountain Theatre: auditions will take place Friday, August 10 from 4-6pm in the 3rd Floor Studio. (20 Church Ave SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24011)

Please email conservatoryauditions@nullmillmountain.org to schedule an appointment. Please prepare a one minute selection of a musical theatre song and a 1 minute monologue.

Music Theatre Conservatory classes will be held on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm, September 4th- October 23rd.

Michelle is a passionate educator, director, and playwright who loves to create and tell stories on stage and in the classroom with people of all ages. Michelle graduated from the University of Central Florida with her MFA, specializing in Theatre for Young Audiences, and she received her Bachelor’s in Theatre, specializing in Musical Theatre, at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She has developed curriculum and worked in the education departments at the American Repertory Theatre, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Christ Fellowship, and Children’s Impact Network. As a teaching artist, Michelle has taught students of all ages, socio-economic backgrounds, and varying abilities in the Central Florida community in projects like EYEPLAY, a dual-language program developed by Childsplay in Arizona to take drama in preschool classrooms to develop literacy in English and Spanish.

Michelle worked as the Artistic Resident for the Orlando Repertory Theatre, with directing credits like Willy Wonka Jr., Just Like Us, When Pigs Fly, Voice Your Choice, Does My Head Look Big in This?, Tut Tut!, and The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet. Michelle was also the Associate Artistic Director for the inaugural season of UCF’s Pegasus Playlab 2018, a play development showcase of new work by emerging playwrights.

As a playwright, Michelle has developed plays for The REP’s Writes of Spring program, a writing competition which takes creative writings from K-12 students to create a play. Her play When Coquis Sing was produced as a part of The REP’s celebration of International Women’s Voices Day 2018, and she is currently working on a commission from Endstation Theatre Company and Kids’ Haven. On the weekends, you will catch this Florida native hiking this new Virginian landscape with her husband Pat and dog, Kibi. MichelleLoRicco.com  

Mill Mountain Theatre begins rehearsal today for ‘Shrek The Musical: Theatre For Young Audiences Version” and performs August 1st through 12th on the Trinkle MainStage. Characters you know and love are brought to life by MMT’s cast of 30 performers, featuring youth actors from the Roanoke Valley, as well as Mill Mountain Theatre’s Apprentice Company.

Once upon a time, as all fairytales begin, there lived an ogre named Shrek. His swamp was invaded by castoff characters from other fairy tales. To reclaim the swamp, Shrek must rescue a princess, and in the process, he falls in love with her. Adapted from the animated feature film, this musical is perfect for the whole family!

Be sure to secure your seats to ‘Shrek the Musical TYA’ running August 1-12 on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets range from $15-22 and can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling 540-342-5740.  

In conjunction with this production, MMT will distribute free books to student audience members, as part of their initiative connecting theatre to literacy.

Shrek The Musical is sponsored by Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Lanford Brothers Co., Business Solutions, Inc., Davis H. Elliot Company, Woods Rogers, The Rotary Club of Salem, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Carilion Clinic, Kathryn B. McQuade Foundation, Kroger, The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke. Grantors include: Actors Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Roanoke Arts Commission, City of Salem, Theatre Communications Group, Virginia Commission for the Arts, WVTF Radio.

The cast of Shrek features 30 young artists: Parker Addison, Taylor Barenbaum, Olivia Bloch, Emma Bush, Sarah Clemmer, Hannah Conner, Noah Davis, Cody Edwards, Adalynn Eller, Simon Elliott, Tela Espelage, AnnElese Galleo, Skylar Gay, Mia Gearhart, Olivia Goodman, Leila Haley, Hannah Hill, Ryan Koch, Haley Lynch, Caroline Moledor, James Moledor, Jasper Moore, Sawyer Mullins, Mikayla Parker, Cameron Reynolds, Graham Roudebush, Griffin Shaver, Paige Smeltzer Isaiah Swanson, and Madeline Mae Walker.

The creative team of Shrek is led with Direction and Choreography by Travis Kendrick, Music Direction by Seth Davis, Lighting Design by Martha Carter, Scenic Design by Jimmy Ray Ward, Costume Design by Cole Spivia, Prop Design by Matthew Shields, Producing Artistic Direction by Ginger Poole, Stage Management by Jessica Humke, Assistant Direction and Assistant Stage Management by Roberto Mendez, Assistant Stage Management by Breanna Strife, Pre-Show Choir Coordinated by Reilly Lincavicks, Technical Direction by Karen Gierchak, and Sound Engineering by Savannah Woodruff.

Get your tickets today by calling the MMT box office @ 540-342-5740 or by visiting millmountain.org  ‘Shrek the Musical TYA’ runs August 1-12 on the Trinkle MainStage.

It’s time for Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory’s Summer Coffeehouse, and this year it’s on the TRINKLE MAINSTAGE at 6pm on Saturday July 14th!

Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory students, past and present, are coming together for an evening of music and performing. Meet the cast of ‘Shrek The Musical TYA,’ and many more!

WHEN: July 14th
TIME: 6:00pm
WHERE: Trinkle MainStage (1 Market Square SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24011)
COST: Free

RSVP to the FaceBook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/162720841259572