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.
Due to inclement weather this past weekend, our performance of The Christmas Cup on Sunday, December 9th @ 2:00pm was cancelled for the safety of our patrons and performers.
If you had tickets for this performance you are free to change the date of that reservation- free of charge by contacting the box office at 540-342-5740.
The Christmas Cup will resume performances on Wednesday, December 12th.
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!
AUDITIONS for YOUTH and ADULT roles will take place on November 26th from 4pm-8pm on the Waldron Stage. (20 Church Ave SE, Roanoke, Virginia 24011)
CASTING: Music Theatre Conservatory Class, Acting Conservatory Class, and ‘My Fatal Valentine’ (Fishburn Mansion Community Collaboration)
TO REQUEST AN AUDITION TIME: email conservatoryauditions@nullmillmountain.org with your preference of audition time and list the classes or show for which you are interested in auditioning.
PLEASE PREPARE:
-If auditioning for the Music Theatre Conservatory class please prepare a one minute selection of a musical theatre song and a one minute monologue.
-If auditioning for the Acting Conservatory class or ‘My Fatal Valentine’ please prepare a one minute monologue.
MUSIC THEATRE CONSERVATORY CLASS:
Seeking Middle & High School Aged Students who wish to be a part of MMT’s Audition Only Music Theatre Class. Music Theatre Conservatory classes will be held on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm, Feb 5 to Apr 2
ACTING CONSERVATORY CLASS:
Seeking Middle & High School Aged Students who wish to be a part of MMT’s Audition Only Acting Class. Acting Conservatory classes will be held on Wednesdays from 7pm-8:30pm, Feb 6 to Apr 3
MY FATAL VALENTINE:
Seeking Youth and Adult roles for Mill Mountain Theatre and Play Roanoke’s collaborative production of ‘My Fatal Valentine’.
At a convention of romance writers, the contenders for the LoveKnot Book of the Year Award are anxious to find out who wins the prize. Among the nominated authors are two spinster sisters, a young prodigy and her overbearing mother, a British aristocrat, a rude and obnoxious social climber, and a rough and tough dude and his bimbo girlfriend. Editor Benton Fish tries to keep the award ceremonies civilized amid jealousies and rivalries. When the winner is announced and then abruptly murdered, it will be up to the amateur detectives in the audience to vote for who they think “dunit”
Rehearsals will take place in January & February, with three performances at The Fishburn Mansion on Feb 15-17th, 2019.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN (9F / 4M):
MAUDE PETRY (Female, 30s+) – the hostess and organizer of the event. Harried and continually flustered, Maude is the President of FARN – Fans of Romance Novels.
BENTON FISH (Male, 20s+) – Editor-in-Chief at Heartthrob Books. He is also the Master of Ceremonies for the event and, as such, begins the evening very much in charge. Has a major crush on Jane.
JANE FORTHRIGHT (Female, Late Teens-Early 20s) – Head of Security at Heartthrob Books. Jane is beautiful, no-nonsense, terse, and direct. She will handle the investigation.
HATTIE GLICK/ pen name – LUCRETIA DEWITT (Female, 20s+) – A Romance Writer. Very arrogant, rather crude, loud and obnoxious. She’s been blackmailing all of the Writers with the “dirt” she has on each of them. But instead of extorting cash, she’s forced each one to write a book which she has passed off as her own. The final straw will be when she wins the “Heartthrob Book of the Year” for “Savannah Passage” which was written by one of the others.
MAYNARD GLICK (Male Late 20s+) – Lucretia’s husband. He’s a basically sweet guy for someone who works for the FBI – in the Witness Relocation Program. He’s also been henpecked by Hattie for years.
PRISCILLA EMBERLY (Female, Late Teens+) – A Romance Writer. Very Victorian, sweet and fussy.
VERONICA EMBERLY (Female, Late Teens+)- Priscilla’s twin sister and co-author. They are completely devoted to each other and to their books.
CHET FARQUIRK (Male, Late 20s+) – Romance Writer. Chet couldn’t make it as a serious novelist so he’s been “reduced” to writing romance novels. He actually hates them. He’s a tough-talking, abrasive guy. Chet “talks” and writes tough but he’s really a softie. Especially where Mitzi is concerned.
MITZI MOONEY (Female, 20s) – Chet’s girlfriend. Mitzi acts dumb, mostly because she is. She’s also very nervous. Being in the Witness Protection Program can do that to you.
EDITH CRUMPOWSKI (Female, 18-20s) – A Romance Writer and a mousy little thing, Edith lives through the romantic fantasies she creates for her heroine, Dijon. Dressed unattractively and poorly, no makeup, her hair pulled back, etc. Edith was a prodigy – her first Dijon book was printed when she was 16.
MARTHA CRUMPOWSKI (Female, Late 30s+) – Edith’s mother. Overbearing and domineering. Twenty years older than Edith and she’ll do ANYTHING to make sure Edith continues to churn out the books.
LADY DOROTHY KNOLLS OF WYNCHLEY (Female, Late 30s+) – A Romance Writer. A British aristocrat from the tip of her elegantly coiffed head to the cardigan around her shoulders, to the single string of pearls to her low-heeled pumps. Very ladylike and regal.. This is the image which she has carefully created and cultivated, but if the truth were known, she is actually an American – Billy Sue Barlow of Gator Junction, Arkansas.
DENIS KNOLLS (Male, Late teens) – Dorothy’s playboy son. Fancies himself to be Cary Grant. He’s always in need of cash and is constantly being rescued from various escapades – usually involving women – by his mother.
Actors of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to audition for all roles.
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!
The Little Mermaid Jr
July 31 – August 11
Journey under the sea with Ariel and her sea creature friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. Classic songs like “Part of Your World”, “Poor Unfortunate Souls”, “Kiss the Girl” and more appear in this one-long-hour adaptation of the story we all know and love.
The Glass Menagerie
September 25 – October 6
Said to be one of the greatest plays in the 20th Century, come see The Glass Menagerie, the “memory play” that catapulted beloved playwright Tennessee Williams to fame. This riveting drama is set in 1937’s St. Louis, and follows the fragile Wingfield family: Tom, an aspiring poet, his painfully shy sister Laura, and their mother Amanda, a faded southern belle. Dreams and reality collide in this play of exquisite beauty.
Holiday Show TBA
December 4 – 22
This classic Broadway show has been produced on the MMT stage before and delighted audiences around the globe for over 50 years. Due to our licensing agreement, we are not allowed to divulge this title until Spring of 2019, but we know you are going to love this beautiful story with music to match, fun for the whole family around the holidays!
WALDRON FRINGE SERIES
Two productions of cutting edge drama centered around the theme of mental wellness.
Every Brilliant Thing
November 7 – 10
Touching, funny, and brilliantly stripped down, Every Brilliant Thing is one-person show about an individual’s journey with their mother and her struggle with mental health.The Guardian calls it “Heart-wrenching, hilarious…possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see.”
Next To Normal
June 20 – 29
Winner of the Pulitzer-Prize for Drama, this groundbreaking musical follows the Goodmans, a seemingly typical American family whose lives are anything but normal. The contemporary and electrifying musical shares the Goodman’s intricate battle with mental health. Abundant with love, sympathy and heart, Next To Normal takes the audience into the minds of each character, and reminds us that nobody’s family is normal.
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
MMT’s young playwright festival Write Stuff! returns for a third year, encouraging young writers to submit their short plays to be produced as staged readings on the Waldron Stage. See your characters on the MMT stage, the competition is open to middle- and high-school students and the deadline for submissions is January 31st, 2019.
A Peter Rabbit Tale: A Children’s Musical
June 1 – 29
Beatrix Potter’s classic story A Peter Rabbit Tale comes to life in this spirited children’s musical, touring the Roanoke Valley this summer. Peter Rabbit has begun to believe that being a rabbit isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. After being picked on for the last time, Peter decides to run away from home. When he encounters difficulties living with feisty squirrels and sewing mice, he discovers that home might not be too bad after all.
Romeo and Juliet
October 19 – 26
William Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed lovers is remounted in an imaginative and theatrical adaptation on the Waldron Stage. Romeo and Juliet is appropriate for middle and high school students, and this production will feature student performers, designers, and technicians.
MUSIC SERIES
Two musical concerts, with four fun-filled nights of well known tunes.
Music of the 60s
May 31 – June 1
Twist and shimmy your way to Mill Mountain Theatre with the catchiest songs from one of the most revolutionary decades in music, the 60’s. With your favorites from chart toppers like The Beatles, The Supremes, and Aretha Franklin, we invite you slip on a pair of bell bottoms and dance to your favorites. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. this groovy mix of tunes as we cover the best artists from the Motown Hub to the Woodstock Craze.
Let’s Go to the Movies
August 23 – 24
Sit back and enjoy all of your favorite songs from Hollywood’s Greatest Blockbusters: from Titanic to The Wizard of Oz, Dirty Dancing to The Graduate. You will not want to miss this journey of music through the golden age of cinema at Mill Mountain Theatre. Come join us in this celebration of music through 100 years of movie magic.
All In Package – Package includes: Mamma Mia!, The Little Mermaid Jr, The Glass Menagerie, Holiday Musical TBA, Music of the 60s, Let’s Go to the Movies, Next to Normal and Every Brilliant Thing.
All other ticketed productions are available to add on to any package.
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.
Sept 15th on the Waldron Stage from 10am-11:30am, Shareformance: 11:30-11:40am. FREE Class for Grades: 2 – 5
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.
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
6 new ten minute plays and a fun night of theatre at MMT!
Saturday, July 7 at 8:00 pm
on the Trinkle Main Stage
FREE and open to the public
General seating.
Since 2006, the Hollins Playwright’s Lab and Mill Mountain Theatre have teamed up to present a fun-filled night of entertainment with our “micro-brewed” 24-hour play festival, featuring the world premiere of six original 10-minute plays.
Pre-selected casts of local actors and celebrities — including returning favorites JP Powell (My Radio), Natalie Faunce (WSLS’s Daytime Blue Ridge), Mike Allen (Roanoke Times) and five actors from Mill Mountain Theatre’s apprenticeship program — rehearse with one of six directors to fully stage these new works at 8:00 pm!
Playwrights for this year’s Overnight Sensations include three members of the award-winning Hollins Playwright’s Lab (Sean Abley, Jessica Burton, Erica Zephir), local favorites Ben R. Williams and Dwayne Yancey, and guest playwright Jay Reiss. Directors include four Hollins Playwright’s Lab students (Kavin Grant, Kate Leslie, Lauren Brooke Ellis, Amile Wilson), guest director Katerina Yancey, and our very own Bob Moss (Off-Broadway Living Legend).
Always fun, always packed, and most importantly, ALWAYS FREE! We look forward to seeing you in the audience!
*Please Note: Overnight Sensations is not affiliated in any way with The 24 Hour Plays, a nonprofit corporation organized under the New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law.
Tony Award-Winning Rock Musical About Communication Breakdown and Teen Sexuality Invites Opportunity for Thoughtful Discussion After the Performance.
Preview Performance June 21. Opens June 22 on Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage
Mill Mountain Theatre opens Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s Spring Awakening on June 22, with a discounted preview performance on Thursday, June 21. The performances will take place on MMT’s Waldron Stage, at 20 Church Ave SE in Downtown Roanoke.
The Company of Spring Awakening
To enhance the theatrical experience and invite discussion that this difficult and controversial piece may present, the following events will take place in the theatre following the performances on June 21, June 23 and June 30.
June 21: Continuing the Ghostlight Project: In January 2017, Mill Mountain Theatre joined hundreds of other theatres around the country in affirming our status as a light in our community, committed to protecting inclusion, participation and compassion for everyone. Join us after the performance to light our ghostlight in honor of this renewed commitment.
June 23: Cast Talkback: Hear from the cast of Spring Awakening after the 7:30 pm performance about their experiences working on the show, with an informal Q & A to follow.
June 30: Hard Conversations: Talking and Listening to Young Adult Voices (panel discussion): In an era where face-to-face conversations are often replaced by texts and tweets, in a time where people are feeling more polarized than ever, how do we break down barriers and have hard
conversations with each other? Our panel of teen and young adult leaders and activists from our community discuss their struggles and successes in communicating their messages in today’s world. Featuring Louis Garcia, Patrick Henry High School student and founder of the Roanoke Valley chapter of Students Demand Action, and John Livingston, Vice President of HokiePRIDE at Virginia Tech.
Spring Awakening is a rock musical about teenagers caught between the tumult of adolescence and the frustrating lack of experience with sex, pregnancy, abortion and suicide, guilt, innocence and death, all with wailing guitars, driving percussion and tortured young voices. The musical,
based on a 19th century German play, won 8 Tony Awards in 2006. This production contains mature language and content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Spring Awakening will be presented on June 21 (discounted preview performance), 22-23, and 27-30 at 7:30pm, and June 24 at 2:00pm on the Waldron Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://millmountain.org/shows/, by calling 540-342-5740, or Tuesday-Saturday from 9:45am-4:45pm and Sunday from 12:45-4:45pm at the Box Office, located in the lobby of Center in the Square. Tickets are $20 or $15 for preview performances.
For more information on the 2018 Mill Mountain Theatre season and to purchase season tickets,visit https://millmountain.org/tickets/.
SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST MMT NEWS!
Looking for the latest news on upcoming shows and special deals? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed and get exclusive discounts!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Call the Box Office
540.342.5740
Tuesday - Saturday 9:45 am to 4:45 pm | Sunday 1 pm to 4:45 pm
