News - Mill Mountain Theatre

You’re Invited to Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2023 Season Reveal

Mill Mountain Theatre is getting ready to unveil its 2023 season with an open-house event filled with excitement and entertainment.

On October 6th at 5:30 p.m. Mill Mountain Theatre invites you to celebrate the unveiling of their 2023 season, titled “The Season of Song,” with a free event hosted at Center in the Square. This fun night will kick off on Center in the Square’s roof with food and drinks available from Three Notch’d Brewery and Craft Kitchen.

Guests will then be invited to gather inside the Trinkle MainStage for the main event. This occasion will be celebrated with performances from Mill Mountain Theatre’s outstanding Conservatory Students and members of the MMT Staff.

“We have hand-picked these titles built around our audience’s requests and to uplift the Roanoke Valley and we cannot wait to share them with everyone!” Said Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole. “We truly believe that this is an amazing season and we can’t wait for you to return to your seats with us as we celebrate The Season of Song.”

Each show picked by Mill Mountain Theatre aligns with the theatre’s mission to inspire, entertain, enrich, educate and challenge audiences of Southwest Virginia through high-quality, professional theatrical productions and experiences.

MMT’s 2023 Season unveiling will take place on October 6th starting at 5:30 p.m. at Center in the Square. Additionally, Mill Mountain Theatre will stream its 2023 presentation to Facebook Live on Mill Mountain Theatre’s Facebook page. Both events are free to the public.

Mill Mountain Theatre serves as Roanoke’s only Equity theatre since 1964. Since the theatre’s founding, Mill Mountain Theatre has produced hundreds of shows in-house and hosted world premieres. As a professional, year-round, regional theatre with roots in its community and excellence as its primary objective, Mill Mountain Theatre has proudly served the region and the industry for more than 50 years.

RSVP Here

The Cast of The Diary of Anne Frank

Trinkle MainStage plays are back at Mill Mountain Theatre featuring the incredibly powerful and true story based on the famed diary of a young girl, The Diary of Anne Frank.

Mill Mountain Theatre has cast remarkable actors to fulfill the roles. Not only has MMT built out a stellar cast, but they have also enlisted a mighty crew to support the onstage talents.

“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” Thirteen-year-old Anne Frank wrote in her diary to better understand herself and the horrors of being Jewish in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. In this transcendently powerful new adaptation by Wendy Kesselman, Anne Frank emerges from the pages of history as a living, lyrical, and intensely gifted young girl. An impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, The Diary of Anne Frank captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence—their fear, their laughter, their grief, and their hope. This adaptation breathes new life into this iconic tale.

Starring as Anne Frank, is a student at Cave Spring High School, Elise LeGault. Joining opposite of LeGault is Hidden Valley Middle School student, Griffin Shaver who will portray Peter van Pels, the son of Hermann van Pels and Auguste van Pels. Filling out the youth cast is Lilah Vanke, who will play Margot Frank, Anne Frank’s older sister.

The youth cast is no stranger to Mill Mountain Theatre through participating in MMT’s Conservatory Classes. In addition to classes, both LeGault and Shaver have performed on the Trinkle MainStage. LeGault was last seen this past August in, High School Musical: One Act Edition and Shaver was in 2017’s A Christmas Story.

Performing as Anne Frank’s mother, Edith Frank, is Broadway Star, Jane Labanz*. Labanz is making her highly anticipated Mill Mountain Theatre debut. Some of Labanz’s impressive credits include the world premiere of Tuck Everlasting as “Older Winnie,” “Alison Barrett” in the American Premiere of Love Story and portraying “Hope” alongside Patti LuPone in Anything Goes. Labanz has been an instrumental performer in ten National Tours and has performed at legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Lincoln Center and Radio City Music Hall.

The role of Anne Frank’s father, Otto Frank, will be performed by Jonathan Brody*. Brody, a fellow Broadway Star has performed in six Broadway Shows including A Bronx Tale, Amazing Grace, Spamalot, Titanic, Sally Marr…and her escorts, Me and My Girl. In addition to Brody’s extensive Broadway credits, Brody has toured the country with the official touring companies of Mary Poppins, Spamalot, Funny Girl and My Fair Lady.

Returning to the Trinkle MainStage as Mr. van Daan, the father of Peter van Pels is a local fan favorite, Scott Watson*. Watson recently appeared in Mill Mountain Theatre’s A Christmas Story during the 2021 season. Watson has substantial regional theatre credits and nearly 20 film and television credits.

Portraying Mrs. van Daan, the spouse of Mr. van Daan and the mother of Peter is Amanda Lea Mason. Mason has a vast list of New York City theatre credits including Broadway’s The Elephant Man. In addition to Mason’s theatre credits, Mason has also graced television screens in shows such as Showtime’s Three-Women.

Mr. Dussel or otherwise known as Fritz Pfeffer, a dentist and the roommate of Anne Frank is portrayed by another Mill Mountain Theatre fan favorite– Jeffrey McGullion. McGullion has performed in over 40 stage productions including Mill Mountain Theatre’s The Odd Couple, On Golden Pond, Hairspray, 39 Steps, To Kill a Mockingbird, Disney’s My Son Pinnochio and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

After the wildly popular, Ladies of the 80s concert, returning to the Trinkle MainStage is Sarah Coleman as Miep Geiss, a crucial helper to the families hiding in the Secret Annex. A Roanoke local and Radford University Alumni. Coleman’s credits include powerhouse characters such as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Heather Duke from Heather’s the Musical and Edna from Bright Star to name a few.

Making their Trinkle MainStage debut as Mr. Kraler, otherwise known as Victor Kugler, an electrician who helped the Frank Family while in the Annex, is Drew Callahan. Callahan is a Radford University Alumni and is no stranger to Mill Mountain Theatre. Currently, Callahan is a part of MMT’s outstanding carpentry team and has worked on shows such as Million Dollar Quartet, Legally Blonde the Musical, In the Heights, The Diary of Anne Frank and more! Callahan’s acting credit includes being an Acting Apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

The Diary of Anne Frank begins performances on September 21st and runs through October 2nd on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740. Reduced special ticket pricing for school groups for 10:00 a.m. student matinees on 9/28 and 9/29. Contact the box office for more information.

Sponsors and grantors for The Diary of Anne Frank include Business Solutions; The Candy Store; Dominion Risk Advisors; Hope of Israel Congregation; The Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation; The Liberty Trust; The W.E. McGuire Foundation; Pinnacle Financial Partners; B.J. Preas; Roanoke Jewish Federation; Skyline National Bank; National Endowment for the Arts; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; Actors’ Equity Association; and Blue Star Theatres.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., A Concord Theatricals Company.

*Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents The Diary of Anne Frank

The true story of triumph, history, hope, resilience and a legacy comes to the Trinkle MainStage.

Mill Mountain Theatre is bringing plays back to the Trinkle MainStage since 2019’s Glass Menagerie with one of the most important stories ever written, The Diary of Anne Frank. The Diary of Anne Frank was originally a part of MMT’s 2020 season, however, the show was not produced alongside the rest of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. This play was last performed nearly 60 years ago on an MMT stage.

“Mill Mountain Theatre reintroduced The Diary of Anne Frank to our 2022 season due to its significance and importance.” Said Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director at Mill Mountain Theatre. “This show is incredibly powerful and crucial that we tell it on our stage.”

Over the years, Mill Mountain Theatre has strived to connect theatre to literacy, telling important stories and highlighting their impacts on stage. Connecting theatre to literacy has continued to be an important part of MMT’s mission.

Sponsors and grantors for The Diary of Anne Frank include Business Solutions; The Candy Store; Dominion Risk Advisors; Hope of Israel Congregation; The Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Federation; The Liberty Trust; The W.E. McGuire Foundation; Pinnacle Financial Partners; B.J. Preas; Roanoke Jewish Foundation; Skyline National Bank; National Endowment for the Arts; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; Actors’ Equity Association; and Blue Star Theatres.

“The Diary of Anne Frank” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., A Concord Theatricals Company.

Ladies of the 80s | Radio

Who Says You Can’t Relive the 80s?

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents: Ladies of the 80s

Who said the 1980s were so yesterday? Get your hairspray and leg warmers ready for a thrilling concert like no other.

Mill Mountain Theatre is excited to present Ladies of the 80s– a staged concert on the Trinkle MainStage. This concert will feature big hair, bigger voices and iconic women from the era. An 80s concert would not be complete without music by Madonna, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Janet Jackson and more!

This concert’s arrangements are by Mill Mountain Theatre’s resident music director and musical genius, Seth Davis. Davis has curated a plethora of 80s music from female artists who will lift you out of your seat and onto your feet.

Get ready to dance, sing and remember the culturally defining music from incredible women who changed pop culture and helped form today’s 1980s revival. Ladies of the 80s is produced by Mill Mountain Theatre in just one week and will feature esteemed vocalists and musicians located near and far!

Returning to the Trinkle MainStage are Roanoke favorites, Maddie Mae Walker (Music of the Crooners), Alexia Buckner (Polkadots) and Katie Emerson (The Marvelous Wonderettes). Mill Mountain Theatre is also welcoming esteemed vocalist, Sarah Coleman to the Trinkle MainStage.

This concert features an all-star band of local musicians. The live band for Ladies of the 80s features J.T. Fauber, Evin Bowman and Mike Havens, all of who will be directed by Seth Davis.

MMT’s production of Ladies of the 80s will be produced and directed by MMT’s Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole with Music Direction and arrangement by MMT’s Resident Music Director Seth Davis, Sound and Lighting design by Savannah Woodruff and Technical Direction and Props Design by Matt Shields.

Ladies of the 80s begins performances on August 19th and runs through August 20th on the Trinkle MainStage for three performances only. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740

Sponsors and grantors for Ladies of the 80s include Cary Street Partners; Claytor/Wirt and Associates; Roanoke Valley Orthodontics; Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black Attorney’s at Law; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; Actors’ Equity Association and Blue Star Theatres.

Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory Seeking Scripts for 7th Annual Young Playwrights Festival “Write Stuff!”

Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory is seeking submissions of short plays for Write Stuff!, their seventh-annual festival of new works penned by local students. The playwriting contest will have categories for Middle School and High School playwrights, and winning plays will be selected by a panel of professional Mill Mountain Theatre artists.

The selected plays will be performed by Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory students and directed by Mill Mountain Theatre staff during a festival of play-readings in Mill Mountain Theatre’s upcoming 2023 Season.

Write Stuff! serves to connect Mill Mountain Theatre’s expanding education programming with its historical and ongoing commitment to new play development. Ginger Poole, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, expressed excitement at the return of this beloved Young Audiences programming.

“Beginning with the Norfolk Southern Festival of New Works and continuing through our partnership with the Hollins Playwrights Lab, new work has been an important element of Mill Mountain Theatre’s identity,” she said. “Expanding that vision to invest in the development of young writers is very important to our organization. Our inaugural festival was a success, as were the subsequent events, and I look forward to bringing the festival back for a fifth year and watching its growth and success continue in the coming years.”

The mission to encourage student authors is also in alignment with Mill Mountain Theatre’s pedagogical goals. “Write Stuff is an incredible experience and opportunity for young artists to work on a new play process,” says Victoria Buck, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Interim Director of Education. “It isn’t often that young people get to be involved in producing brand new plays: learning how scripts change, how characters are developed, and how to work with a playwright in the room.”

Scripts, 10-15 minutes in length, should be formatted as PDFs and emailed to education@nullmillmountain.org with the subject line “Write Stuff! Submission.” The deadline for script submissions is December 15th. Performance and presentation of winning plays TBA.

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents Disney’s High School Musical: One Act Edition

Get’cha Head in the Game! Your favorite Wildcats from the hit Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical are getting ready to take the stage in this production featuring Roanoke’s Youth performers.

Mill Mountain Theatre is excited to present Disney’s High School Musical: One Act Edition. The One-Act Edition of High School Musical will feature the songs, characters and scenes you know and love from the original 2006 movie.

This modern-day Romeo & Juliet story swept the nation almost 16 years ago and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. After cleaning up the 2006 award season, High School Musical was awarded an Emmy, Teen Choice, American Music, TV Critics and a Billboard Music Award. The acclaimed series included two additional movies and a spin-off series currently on Disney+.

Join Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High in this smash-hit musical based on the Disney Channel movie of the same title. On the first day after winter break at East High, basketball team captain Troy discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well. Full of family fun and fabulous music, Disney’s High School Musical: One Act Version is perfect for students of all ages.

“High School Musical has maintained its original popularity and then some – only gaining traction through the years as its multiple versions, spinoffs and adaptations have been created,” said director, Victoria Buck. “Something that popular has to have at least something worthwhile in it, and I have found that High School Musical has more than just something – it has everything! Fun songs and dances, incredible characters who each portray a trait we’ve all experienced and immeasurably lovely life lessons that people of all ages can relate to and need to hear about. It’s going to be great!”

High School Musical: One Act Edition, will be told by Roanoke’s talented youth from Mill Mountain Theatre’s Conservatory program and its new Conservatory Company. Conservatory Company features students from across the Roanoke Valley who are dedicated to dancing, acting, and musical theatre. In addition, Conservatory Company students participate in a summer intensive program leading up to rehearsals.

This show’s cast features Ben Armstrong, Maud Artur, Leah Bouldin, Emma Harvey, Calan Johnson, Elise LeGault, Sylvia MacNab, Will McLoney, Charles Meidlinger, Caroline Moledor, Emily Mower, Jadyn Rhodes, William Richardson, Ruby Spence, Chassidy Trossi, Isla Whittle, Brynne Wiegard and Elliot Wiegard.

Backing up the cast on the creative side are Ginger Poole, Victoria Buck, Tiffany Waters, Erin Markham, Matt Shields, Savannah Woodruff, Jessica Gaffney, Jimmy Ray Ward, Addie Pawlick and Henry Stevens.

High School Musical: One Act Edition begins performances on July 28th and runs through August 7th on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets are available online at millmountain.org or call the box office at 540-342-5740.

Sponsors and Grantors for High School Musical: One Act Edition include Acceleration Point, American National Bank & Trust Company, Boxley, Business Solutions Inc., The Candy Store, Cox Communications, Davenport & Company, Dunkenberger-Waskey Group at Morgan Stanley, Davis H. Elliot Company, 5Points Creative, Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Lichtenstein Law Group, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Roanoke Orthodontics, B.J. Preas, Punch Boutique, The Edgar A. Thurman Charitable Foundation for Children, Truist, Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Theatre Communications Group, Center in the Square, Virginia Commission for the Arts and Radio IQ/WVTF.

Book by David Simpatico. Songs by Bryan Louiselle, Faye Greenberg, David N. Lawrence, Greg Cham, Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray Charm, Andrew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Adam Watts, Jamie Houston, Andy Dodd. Music Adapted, Arranged and Produced by Byran Louiselle. Based on a Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini.

Disney’s High School Musical One Act-Edition is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Hit Broadway Musical Adapted to Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage

“I wanna play airplane.” The refreshingly innovative musical, Fun Home is adapted to Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage, as a part of their Fringe Series.

Fun Home originated as a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel as a “Family Tragicomic” and was a finalist for both the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The novel’s accolades extend to being voted Best Book of the Year by the New York Times along with many other respected publications. This graphic novel transitioned to Off-Broadway at the renowned Public Theatre in New York City beginning in 2013. Following its appearance at the Public Theatre, Fun Home made its Broadway debut in 2015, receiving rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. The Broadway musical went on to win five Tony® Awards including Best Musical.

When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to explore the intersection of her father’s life and her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home. This retrospective look at familial relationships moves between past and present to explore the author’s relationship with her father, her sexuality, and the looming unanswerable questions that remain. Part of MMT’s Fringe Series, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

“It’s particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to present this piece during Pride Month.” Said Fun Home Director, Katharine Quinn. “Three-dimensional queer characters remain underrepresented in musical theater. Queer female characters, in particular, remain underrepresented in musical theater.”

Fun Home joins the family of Fringe shows produced in-house by Mill Mountain Theatre and is supported by the Friends of the Fringe, a group of devout supporters of the theatre’s Fringe series. Additionally, Fun Home is the final Fringe show in the theatre’s 2022 season, following The Cake, which debuted on the Trinkle MainStage earlier this Fall. Fun Home marks the return of the Fringe Series on the intimate Waldron Stage after its brief residency on the Trinkle MainStage.

“The Fringe Series tackles challenging topics and shares different perspectives as we invite our audiences to step into someone else’s shoes.” Said Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole. “We later encourage our audiences to discuss these important topics and hope to shed light on these difficult subjects.”

Fun Home is supported by a cast and creative team who will tell the story of this groundbreaking musical. The cast features Riley Whisnant, Stephanie Berger, Hayley Palmer*, Carlyn Connolly*, Michael Hunsaker*, Alexandra Rivers, Isaac Bouldin, Lillian Salazar and Josh Romeo. The cast is uplifted by its veteran creative team, which features Ginger Poole, Katharine Quinn, Kailey Absher*, Erin Markham, Dan Pardo, Jessica Gaffney, Jimmy Ray Ward, Bill Webb, Matt Shields, Savannah Woodruff, Molly Hood, Katie Stueckle, J.T. Fauber, Mike Havens and Teresa Hedrick.

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Fun Home begins performances on June 22nd and runs through July 3rd on the Waldron Stage. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.

Sponsors for Fun Home include Diane and Bill Elliot and Friends of the Fringe. Mill Mountain Theatre would like to extend thanks to Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, Roanoke Star.com, Radio IQ/WVTF, The American Rescue Plan, Theatre Communications Group and Virginia Commission for the Arts.

“Fun Home” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents “Boy Bands Through the Ages”

The boy bands are taking over! Everyone from The Beatles, The Backstreet Boys, One Direction and the latest icons, BTS. All of your favorite boy bands will be covered in Mill Mountain Theatre’s Concert, Boy Bands Through the Ages.

Experience the nostalgia of your favorite boy bands from the past and the rave of the current bands sweeping pop culture. For two nights only, this lively concert will be on the Trinkle MainStage in Downtown Roanoke from May 27th to May 28th.

The Mill Mountain Music Series is uplifted by nostalgic and iconic boy band songs of the past and present that have been curated by MMT’s Resident Music Director, music maestro and boy band aficionado, Seth Davis.

Get ready to dance, sing and remember the boy bands that overtook the nation and have changed pop culture and helped form every generation. Boy Bands Through the Ages is produced by Mill Mountain Theatre in just one week and will feature esteemed vocalists and musicians!

Returning to the Trinkle MainStage are Chris Carranza (In The Heights), Josh Polk (Guest Teaching Artist) and Parker Joh (Mamma Mia!). Additionally, Mill Mountain Theatre will be welcoming vocalist, Matthew Carter to the Trinkle MainStage. These outstanding vocalists’ harmonies will recreate the sounds of your favorite boy bands that you know and love.

This concert features an all-star band of local musicians. Boy Bands Through the Ages musicians include JT Fauber, Evan Bowman and Mike Havens, all of who will be directed by Seth Davis.

MMT’s production of Boy Bands Through the Ages will be produced and directed by MMT’s Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole with Music Direction and arrangement by MMT’s Resident Music Director Seth Davis, Sound and Lighting design by Savannah Woodruff and Technical Direction and Props Design by Matt Shields.

Boy Bands Through the Ages begins performances on May 27th and runs through May 28th on the Trinkle MainStage for three performances only. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740

Sponsors and grantors for Boy Bands Through the Ages include Roanoke Valley Orthodontics; Dixon, Hubbard, Feinour & Brown, Inc; Woods Rogers Attorney’s at Law; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; Actors’ Equity Association and Blue Star Theatres.

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Join the cast of Shakespeare’s As You Like It for this playful production, filled with flirtation, fun disguises, flippant fools, family dysfunction, and some of Shakespeare’s most famous phrases.

The classic Shakespearean comedy features young performers from the Roanoke Valley and Mill Mountain Theatre’s Conservatory program, the theatre education program for young artists. As You Like It is scheduled from May 6th to May 15th on Mill Mountain Theatre’s Waldron Stage.

As You Like It is directed by Mill Mountain Theatre’s Director of Education, Victoria Buck. Buck is no stranger to Shakespeare and has earned two Masters’ Degrees from Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare and Performance Program with a Master of Fine Arts and a Master’s of Letters.
“Shakespeare is so classic and pervasive in both our education systems and in theatres that almost every student and actor will encounter it at some point in their lives and career, and the best way to learn it is by performing it and seeing it performed!” Said Buck.

This Pay-What-You-Can performance of As You Like It includes the distribution of free books to students as part of MMT’s initiative of connecting theatre to reading and literacy. To learn how to donate books, please visit millmountain.org/donate.

MMT’s production of As You Like It is produced by Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole; Director and Stage Manager by Victoria Buck; Assistant Stage Manager; Conner Hunt; Scenic and Props Design by Matt Shields; Lighting Design by Savannah Woodruff and Costume Design by Tiffany Waters.

Performance of As You Like It begins on May 6th and runs through May 15th on the Waldron Stage. All tickets are ‘Pay What You Can’ at the door. For more information visit millmountain.org

Sponsors for As You Like It include Acceleration Point, American National Bank & Trust Company, Boxley Materials Co., Business Solutions Inc., The Candy Store, Cox Communications, Davenport & Company, Davis H. Elliot Company, Dunkenberger-Waskey-Nash Group at Morgan Stanley, 5Points Creative, Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Lichtenstein Law Group, Pinnacle Financial Partners, B.J. Preas, Punch Boutique, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Truist and The Edgar A. Thurman Charitable Foundation for Children. Grantors include Virginia Commission for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Center in the Square, TCG, Actors’ Equity Association and Blue Star Theatres.

MILL MOUNTAIN RECRUITS RISING LATINO DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER HÉCTOR FLORES JR.

Mill Mountain Theatre is thrilled to welcome Hector Flores Jr. to lead the upcoming production of the Tony award-winning show, IN THE HEIGHTS. MMT invited Flores to join the creative team and he hit the ground running last week with rehearsals for this energetic and powerful production.

MMT is committed to leading the change needed in the theatre industry with regard to the authentic representation of casting and story-telling. Mill Mountain’s production is a turning point in how the national theatrical community will look to produce works by, with and about people of color. The theatre has worked hard to bring in Latine members of the creative team, including Flores, and a cast to tell this important story of community, neighborhood, family and hope.

The theatre has been working closely with a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) consultant with the cast and will continue to do so following the production of IN THE HEIGHTS to ensure cultural sensitivity in all productions. MMT is committed to working with marginalized communities throughout the region so everyone is able to see the importance not only of IN THE HEIGHTS but all theatre within our community.

One of many instrumental additions to the creative team is Director/Choreographer, Héctor Flores. Flores has performed in several regional productions of IN THE HEIGHTS, most notably the Multiple Helen Hayed Awarding-winning Spanish Language Production produced by Gala Hispanic Theatre in Washington DC. The rising Director/Choreographer is an executive staff member at New York Theatre Barn, an anti-racist non-profit theatre company dedicated to the incubation of culture-shifting musicals, a former Fred Astaire Ballroom dancer/instructor and is a mentee of Luis Salgado, an original Broadway cast member of IN THE HEIGHTS. He is also a mentee of prolific Afro-Latina director/choreographer Maria Torres with whom Flores will be setting another production of IN THE HEIGHTS with After the Mill Mountain production.

The new creative team includes veterans of the show, Héctor Flores Jr. as the Director and Choreographer; Mikey Sylvester as the Associate Director and Choreographer; John Daniels as the Music Director and Eric Montesa as the Production Stage Manager.

The accomplished creative team joined the other dedicated and talented MMT designers and staff members on March 24th and IN THE HEIGHTS is set to open on April 13th. We are excited by the work being done by the cast and crew and look forward to showcasing their efforts from April 13th to April 24th.

In The Heights begins performances on April 13th and runs through April 24th on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.

IN THE HEIGHTS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com Music and Lyrics by Book by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría. Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Development of In The Heights was supported by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center during a residency at the Music Theater Conference of 2005. Initially developed by Black House Productions. Originally Produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman Willis Sander Jacobs, Goodman/Grossman, Peter Fine, Everett/Skipper.

An Updated Statement Regarding In The Heights

Mill Mountain Theatre understands and acknowledges the mistakes made and the disruptions in the show’s pre-production regarding casting as well as subsequent actions that led to the brief cancelation of In the Heights. This was not the right action to take, and we are sorry.

We have been listening to our cast and understand the damaging consequences of our previous decisions.

Respecting and creating opportunities for diverse voices is critical. We are focused on ensuring authentic casting that reflects the creative vision of each work we produce, and our creative team is committed to fostering an environment that uplifts all identities, on and off our stage.

The theatre is committed to learning from this experience as we move forward with the cast and doing the work to implement thoughtful, authentic diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives to guide the future of our work in theatre and in the Roanoke community.
We’re appreciative to this entire cast for the grace they have given us to continue working together. And we’re grateful to still fulfill our goal of bringing In the Heights to Roanoke. We know our work is just beginning, and we are fully committed to doing better.

A Statement Regarding the Casting of In The Heights

Thank you all for sharing your voices. We hear you; we understand you; we will continue listening and learning.

The actor playing Vanessa has respectfully withdrawn from the show, effective immediately out of respect for the role and in support of the Latinx community.

Respecting and creating opportunities for diverse voices is an important goal for everyone at Mill Mountain Theatre. The theatre strives to do better and focuses on telling diverse stories and building a better community. Additionally, Mill Mountain Theatre is committed to celebrating the story of a vibrant community in Washington Heights and the revered Latinx voices within the greater community.

Mill Mountain Theatre is actively meeting with our newly partnered Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant, we are working with members of the Latinx community involved in production to listen and learn from this experience as we move forward with In The Heights and recasting the role. The theatre is committed to being proactive through this learning experience and appreciates the enlightenment given.

We are dedicated to telling this story the way it was intended to be told. The theatre appreciates the community’s support in this decision and the changes we are implementing. Mill Mountain Theatre looks forward to continuing to produce this beautiful story that celebrates Latinx heritage and tells the universal story of family, hope and resilience.

A Special Thank You to our Grantors

National and regional grantors have enabled Mill Mountain Theatre to begin a major upgrade of air ventilation and purification systems at the MMT Atelier, the facility that houses actors, directors, designers and other theatre professionals who work on our stage shows.

In 2021, MMT received a $38,000 grant from the Roanoke Women’s Foundation. Combined with an earlier award of $30,000 from the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Charitable Trust, MMT this spring is replacing worn-out cooling and ventilation equipment at the Atelier, the former Shenandoah Hotel building at Williamson Road and Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

The building is owned by the parent foundation of Center in the Square, which has a long-term lease with MMT for the second and third floors of the building. CITS also is a major financial partner in the renovation.

The Roanoke Women’s Foundation grant was awarded to MMT in November 2021 and the work has begun on replacing the building’s chiller. We anticipate this phase to be completed by mid-2022.

In addition, MMT received a $25,000 grant from the City of Roanoke Arts Commission distributing proceeds from the American Rescue Plan Act. This money is being used to assure the purity of air in occupied rooms at the Atelier. The equipment includes auto-cleaning units added to the fan inlets as air is cycled into rooms plus mobile air purifiers that can be moved easily to spaces with higher occupancy such as the Atelier’s dining and kitchen areas.

These two measures are critical to MMT’s status with Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S. AEA defines many standards for safety and quality of theatres that determine that they can accept contracts. In 2020, AEA added health standards to ensure its members are safe from COVID-19 and similar infectious diseases. MMT is proud to comply with AEA standards and be considered as a professional, regional theatre, drawing talented actors and others to Roanoke.

Mill Mountain Theatre Presents The Cake

Mill Mountain Theatre is kicking off its 2022 season with their, Friends of the Fringe Series! The show opening the season is The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s This is Us).

When Della, a North Carolina baker and devout Christian, is asked to bake a wedding cake for her best friend’s daughter, she is overjoyed – until she finds out that the bride’s intended is another bride. For the first time in her life, Della is forced to think for herself, examine her deeply-held belief in “traditional marriage,” and make a decision that may turn her entire life upside-down. Inspired by true events, this hilarious and delicious play by Bekah Brunstetter is proof that love is the key ingredient in creating common ground.

This comedic drama will open to audiences on the Trinkle MainStage beginning February 24th and will conclude performances on March 6th.

The Cake is based on the hit Off-Broadway play of the same name. Additionally, The Cake stems from a story that many recall, which swept the nation six years ago generating discussions everywhere. These dialogues began when a bakery in Lakewood, CO. chose not to bake a cake for same-sex couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins. After a strenuous battle in the Supreme Court, the court sided with the bakery.

The Cake at Mill Mountain Theatre features a stellar cast and crew. Returning to the Trinkle MainStage is, Amy Baldwin*, Cherise James* and J. Richey Nash. Making her MMT debut is Merrill Peiffer*.

MMT’s production of The Cake will be produced by MMT’s Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole, Directed by Kerrie Seymour, Scenic Design by Jimmy Ray Ward, Lighting Design by David Wheeler and Hannah Mullins, Props Design by Matt Shields, Costumes by Tiffany Waters and Production Stage Management by Bill Muñoz* with Kailey Absher*.

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The Cake begins performances on February 24th and runs through March 6th on the Trinkle MainStage. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740.
Sponsors for The Cake include Diane and Bill Elliot and Friends of the Fringe. Mill Mountain Theatre would like to extend thanks to Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, The American Rescue Plan, Theatre Communications Group and Virginia Commission for the Arts.

2022 Spring Semester

Winter is here and Spring is near! Come join us this semester at Mill Mountain Theatre for our Spring Classes! Whether this is your first time stepping on stage or your 100th time, we have a class option for you!

This Spring, Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory is offering in-person classes for students Pre-K through Adult! Classes will meet once a week beginning January 31st and will run through March 31st.

“MMTC allows students of all ages to learn new theatre skills and hone old ones, and helps them learn important life skills, improve their confidence and reach their full potential,” said Victoria Buck, Director of Education at Mill Mountain Theatre.

Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory is offering 11 classes this semester that cover a broad span of interests. This Spring, you can be a part of Elementary Music Theatre, Middle & High School Music Theatre, Technical Theatre: Props and Paint, Pre-K to 2nd Grade Acting & Creative Movement, Elementary Acting, Playwriting, Middle & High School Acting & Improv, and Beginner/Intermediate Tap, Jazz, & Ballet. MMTC is also continuing its audition-only programs which include Acting Conservatory, Dance Conservatory, and Music Theatre Conservatory.

We want to see you at Mill Mountain Theatre next semester! If you are interested in joining us this Spring, sign up today at millmountain.org/class, or find us on Facebook at Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory and Instagram @mmtconservatory!

Street Closures in Downtown Roanoke

Roanoke, VA – November 30, 2021

We’re in the holiday spirit at Mill Mountain Theatre and we hope you are too! As holiday festivities begin to shine bright in Downtown Roanoke, we want to make our patrons aware of the increased traffic and parking difficulties that may occur due to Dickens of a Christmas.

Street closures will be in effect from 12/17 through 12/19 in Downtown Roanoke. On December 17th, beginning at 3 p.m. portions of Market Street, Wall Street, Kirk Avenue and Church Avenue will be closed. Luck Avenue will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. followed by Campbell Avenue at 5:30 p.m. The closure of Kirk Avenue between Williamson Road and Campbell Avenue on 12/17 will not affect access to and from the Premier Lot access points.

Market Street between Norfolk Avenue and Salem Avenue will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th. Beginning Sunday, December 19th, 2nd Street SW between Luck Avenue and Church Avenue will be closed beginning at 4 p.m. We strongly disadvise parking on any of these streets from 12/17 through 12/19 to prevent getting ticketed or towed. For more information on which street sections will be closed, please visit Downtown Roanoke’s website here.

The city of Roanoke has partnered with Waze, a GPS Service available on iOS and Android. Waze navigation will keep you up-to-date on street closures in Downtown Roanoke during this event and will navigate your route accordingly.

Street closures in Downtown Roanoke vary from week to week due to the Dickens of a Christmas. To stay up to date on street closures, please visit this interactive map. Mill Mountain Theatre recommends you plan your route and encourage you to arrive at the theatre early.

For additional resources and information, please call Park Roanoke at 540.343.0585 or the Center in the Square Box Office at 540.342.5740.
Mill Mountain Theatre apologizes for any inconveniences caused by the event. We hope you will enjoy A Christmas Story and join in on the holiday spirit here at MMT!

Updated on 12/17/21

A Christmas Story is BACK at Mill Mountain Theatre

Get your Christmas lists together and join 9-year-old Ralphie this holiday season! Returning from Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2017 season is, A Christmas Story!

Celebrate the holiday season with Mill Mountain Theatre! Based on the popular movie of the same name, A Christmas Story is the perfect way to kick off your holiday spirit!

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! A Christmas Story returns to the Trinkle MainStage for the 2021 holiday season. This play is a witty adaptation of the classic movie we all know and love. All 9-year-old Ralphie Parker wants for Christmas is a genuine Red Ryder BB gun. But mother, teacher, and even the Santa Claus at Higbee’s Department Store tell him the same thing: “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” Follow Ralphie’s quest for the gift of his dreams, all while enjoying some favorite elements from the movie: Scut Farkas, the school bully, the Bumpus hounds and the turkey, Flick’s tongue on the icy lamppost, and the Old Man’s leg lamp. Don’t miss this sensational holiday hit on the Trinkle MainStage from December 1st – 23rd.

A Christmas Story will bring back local favorites including, Timothy Booth*, Scott Watson* and Julia VanderVeen*. Additionally, filling the younger roles in this production includes Mill Mountain Theatre’s Conservatory students, Calan Johnson, Kayla Ryan Walsh, Belle McNamara, Jack Swank, Emily Mower, Drew D’Allasendro, Eve McLoney Will McLoney and Griffin Shaver.

Broadway’s Timothy Booth returns to Roanoke after Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2019 production of Mamma Mia! and reprises his role in A Christmas Story after MMT’s 2017 production. His Broadway credit includes various roles in Mamma Mia! Mr. Booth has also toured the United States of America in the national tours of Mamma Mia! and She Loves Me.

Griffin Shaver also returns from the 2017 production of A Christmas Story. This time around, he will serve as the Junior Associate Director and as the male swing for this production. Mr. Shaver is also a member of Mill Mountain Theatre’s Conservatory program, which teaches performers of all ages theatrical arts through a wide range of courses.

This cast is backed by an all-star creative team with Director and Producing Artistic Director, Ginger Poole. Junior Associate Director Griffin Shaver, Stage Management by Bill Muñoz*, Assistant Stage Management by Kailey Absher*, Scenic Design by Jimmy Ray Ward, Lighting Design by Bill Webb, Props and Technical Direction by Matt Shields, Costume Designs by Jessica Gaffney and Sound Engineering by Savannah Woodruff.

Don’t get your tongue stuck, and make sure you secure your tickets to this show the entire family will be sure to enjoy! A Christmas Story will be the final show in Mill Mountain Theatre’s 2021 season and will certainly be a show you will not want to miss!

*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Sponsors for A Christmas Story at Mill Mountain Theatre include American National Bank & Trust Company, Avis Construction, Better Sofas, Business Solutions, The Candy Story, Claytor/Wirt and Associates, Elk Hill Advisors, FreedomFirst, Gentry Locke Attorneys, Lunsford, A Trustpoint Company; Mast General Store, MemberOne, Miller, Long & Associates, Inc., Oakey’s Funeral Home, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Roanoke Animal Hospital, B.J. Preas, Roanoke Valley Orthodontics, Rutherfoord, A Marsh & Lennan Agency; Skyline National Bank and Steel Dynamics. Grantors include National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Center in the Square, Radio IQ WVTF, Theatre Communications Group, Actors’ Equity Association and Blue Star Theatres.

A Christmas Story will be performed in-person on the Trinkle MainStage from December 1st – 23rd. Tickets are $20-38 for performances and $15-25 for preview performances. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling 540-342-5740.

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