Next up in Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Fringe Series is a staged reading of The Christians. The production of Lucas Hnath’s beloved play will play two nights only May 18th & 19th. Former MMT Staff Member Jay Briggs returns after his production of Constellations, earlier this year, to direct this staged reading with a company of five actors.
Pastor Paul approaches the pulpit on the day when his megachurch is celebrating paying off its debt. To the surprise of his congregation, his sermon reveals that the church is taking a new direction theologically. Fractured by a dispute over salvation and damnation, this is a play about religious schism in modern America. This play will be presented as a staged reading. (Actors will have scripts in hand)
The cast of The Christians features Sean Hinkcle (Associate Pastor Joshua), Tristan Sample (Jay), Amanda Sox (Elizabeth), Danielle Thorson (Jenny), and Scott Watson (Paul). Production is directed by Jay Briggs and Music Directed by Alicia Varcoe.
Be sure to secure your seat to The Christians May 18th & 19th @ 7:30pm on the Waldron Stage at Mill Mountain Theatre. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling 540-342-5740.
Sean Hinckle (Associate Pastor Joshua): Off Broadway: Beneath the Gavel (Stewart, 59E59 Theaters). Off Off Broadway: Hamlet (Hamlet, New York Shakespeare Exchange), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo, Lower East Side Shakespeare Company), Titus Andronicus (Bassianus, New York Shakespeare Exchange), Pushing Daisy (Sketch, Secret Theater). Regional: Playmakers! (Florida Studio Theatre), Oklahoma! (Fred, New Theater Restaurant), Macbeth (Porter, Reduxion Theatre Company). Sean is a resident ensemble member of Bated Breath Theatre Company and works as a teaching artist in New York City. Endless thanks to Mill Mountain Theatre for the opportunity to tackle such an incredible play!
Tristan Sample (Jay) is thrilled to be working with Mill Mountain! His recent NYC credits include: After the End (Paradise Factory) Failure: A Love Story (NSD), Butcher (Stella Adler: Harold Clurman Lab); West Coast credits: Buyer and Cellar, The Graduate. When not on stage you can find him at the piano, composing music and writing lyrics. MFA: New School for Drama. www.tristansample.com
Amanda Sox (Elizabeth) was last seen at Mill Mountain Theatre as Marianne in Constellations, having previously been Ms. Poppenghul in Moonlight and Magnolias. Regional credits include: The Cake (Jen), In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play (Catherine Givings), Christmas on the Rocks (Cindy Lou Who), Richard III (Lady Anne), and Othello (Desdemona) at The Warehouse Theatre in Greenville, SC; A Christmas Carol at Virginia Stage Company; Night of The Iguana at Berkshire Theatre Festival; Rough Magic at The Hangar Theatre. Up next, Amanda will be playing Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest at Lean Theater Ensemble in Hilton Head, SC. She graduated from Elon University with a BFA in Acting.
Danielle Thorsen (Jenny) is absolutely thrilled to be working with Mill Mountain Theatre. She is a Roanoke native and grew up in the theatre communities around the city, with the Mill Mountain Conservatory being a source of training and inspiration to pursue theatre professionally. She attended Wake Forest University, and after graduation, she lived and worked in Atlanta and Chicago, establishing herself in the theatre communities there. She is now back in Roanoke before tackling the (still to be determined) next big adventure.
Scott Watson (Pastor Paul) is overjoyed to return to his favorite Virginian home, Mill Mountain Theatre, and collaborate and play again with such passionate and talented folks! Previous Mill Mountain Credits: A Christmas Story, 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Odd Couple. Off-Broadway: Taming of the Shrew & Henry V (New York Classical Theatre), Drunk Shakespeare (The Lounge), Going Once, Laughing Twice (St Luke’s Theatre) Regional: Hamlet & Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare on the Sound) Othello & Much Ado About Nothing (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival), Taming of the Shrew (Roxy Regional) Hamlet & The Winters Tale (Adirondack Shakespeare) Film: Neighbors, When the Moon was Twice as Big, Zombie Apocalypse TV: A Crime to Remember, The Perfect Murder, Shadow of Doubt, Redrum. BA Grand Valley State University in Michigan. www.scottymwatson.com @scottymwatson. Thank you to Ginger, Alicia, Travis, Christopher, Emma, Jay, Amanda and everyone at MMT for all you do!
This production is supported by Friends of the Fringe, an affinity group of theatre-goers interested in bringing contemporary drama to our stages. To join Friends of the Fringe, please contact John Levin at 540-342-5761 or at development@nullmillmountain.org
Following The Christians in the Waldron Fringe Series is Spring Awakening, a fully produced production of the a contemporary rock musical exploring teenagers caught between the tumult of adolescence and the frustrating lack of experience. This 2006 Tony Award winning musical will feature our summer apprentice company with additional guest artists. Visit millmountain.org or call the box office at 540-342-5740 to reserve your tickets today.
