Roanoke, VA– March 29th, 2021
On March 27, 2020, a mere week from the opening night of Dreamgirls, a global pandemic hit Roanoke and Mill Mountain Theatre was forced to furlough many of its staff members. One year and two days later, the team is back together and better than ever.
With its exciting 2021 Season rapidly approaching and its full in-house staff vaccinated, there is hope on the horizon for Mill Mountain Theatre.
Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole has spent the year away from large-scale producing to streamline the way Mill Mountain Theatre operates. From completing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for all staff members to installing new hearing assistance devices, the year was not wasted.
“The past year has presented us with an unprecedented set of challenges, but we’ve emerged stronger than ever,” said Poole. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to strengthen our company and return an even brighter version of MMT.”
The team at MMT looks significantly different from the team 12 months ago. Internally, former Education Associate Victoria Buck has taken over the role of Director of Education, and Former Props and Costume Shop Manager Matt Shields is now acting as Production Manager.
A new addition to the team is Assistant Artistic Director Payton Moledor. Moledor is an award-winning performer and recent graduate of the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. As an administrator, Payton has served as the Co-Chair of the UVA Drama Arts Board, Co-President of the Virginia Players, and Assistant Producer at 59E59 Theatres and Theater Alliance.
Also brought on during the unprecedented year is Community Engagement Coordinator and Teaching Artist Alexia Buckner, previously seen on MMT’s (virtual) stage as Lily Polkadot. Alexia Buckner is so happy to be joining the Mill Mountain family! As a Memphis native, she understands the power of good food, good music, and live entertainment. Buckner 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.
Joining the team for the first time this month is Creative Director of Public Relations Ian Ridgway (headshot by Lily Farabaugh). While he is new to the full-time staff of MMT, Ian is no stranger to their stages. Ridgway, a former member of Mill Mountain Theatre’s conservatory, performed in MMT’s 2016 production of Into the Woods Jr. as the Steward. Ridgway is a recent graduate of West Virginia University where he studied advertising and theatre. During his time at WVU, he worked with the Martin Hall Agency, where he served as their Creative Director and Manager of Market Research.
Ginger Poole (Producing Artistic Director), John Levin (Director of Development), Larry Kufel (Business Manager), and Seth Davis (Resident Music Director) remained with the company during the pandemic.
The biggest piece in completing the MMT ‘puzzle’ is the return of full shop staff. Returners to the production team include Savannah Woodruff (Sound Technician/Carpenter), Drew Callahan (Carpenter), and Taylor Cobb (Resident Stage Manager/Carpenter). Production staff will begin work this week on MMT’s 2021 Season, which consists of three MainStage productions on the Trinkle MainStage, three productions for Young Audiences, one Fringe production, and one musical concert.
“We’re so excited to get to work on the 2021 Season,” said Production Manager Matt Shields. “Without this core team, MMT’s 2021 season would not be possible.”
“We’re doing everything in our power to make your return to MMT a safe and enjoyable experience,” said Poole. “The vaccination of staff and incoming creatives is a crucial part of that.”
MMT’s 2021 season will consist of three MainStage productions on the Trinkle MainStage, three productions for Young Audiences, one Fringe production, and one musical concert. You can purchase tickets to the 2021 season by visiting millmountain.org or calling 540-342-5740.
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