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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.

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.

Awarding Young Artists With Ginger Morris

Our twenty-fourth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Ginger Morris, from Austin, Texas. In this episode, learn how Ginger got her start in the industry after college and how she became a co-founder of Summer Stock Austin.

Ginger Morris, having graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BFA in Theatre in 1998, is now a theatre producer, director, choreographer, and educator. For her first six years after college, Ginger worked as an Equity Stage Manager and the Academy Director for Austin Musical Theatre. She has directed and/or choreographed productions with various universities, professional, community, and youth theatres across central Texas. She is the co-founder of Summer Stock Austin, where she has directed and choreographed 13 musicals garnering the B. Iden Payne Award for Best Choreography. Ginger has directed and/or choreographed over 40 musicals and has worked on several original musicals from Austin to New York City. She is the Executive Director of a nonprofit theatre education company called Impact Arts, Producing Director for the Heller Awards for Young Artists with the Long Center for the Performing Arts, Artistic Director/Producer for Summer Stock Austin in partnership with Texas Performing Arts, and is also the program director of Texas Arts Project with St. Stephen’s School. She is fiercely devoted to seeing young people come alive through the arts.

Mill Mountain Theatre strives to inspire, entertain, enrich, educate, and challenge audiences of Southwest Virginia through high-quality, professional theatrical productions and experiences. Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast explores all of the buzz words in Mill Mountain Theatre’s mission statement.

Cultivating a Career with Leonela Hernandez

Our twenty-third official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Leonela Hernandez, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Education Associate. Join Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre as she learns about Leonela’s interesting past as Leonela Hernandez goes on a deep dive into how she discovered her love for the performing arts and overcoming various challenges.

Leonela Hernandez graduated from Belhaven University with a BFA in Musical Theatre in May 2020. Leonela became a part of the MMT family during the Summer of 2019 performing as Mama/Thomasina in their production of “Peter Rabbit: The Musical and acting as Assistant Director for “Next to Normal” and Assistant Choreographer for “The Little Mermaid.” Leonela has trained with ZACH Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, Mill Mountain Theatre, and more. Leonela is excited to come back and join MMT as the new Education Associate! leonelahernandez.com

Mill Mountain Music Returns: Music of the Crooners

Fly with us to the moon and experience Mill Mountain Theatre’s Music of the Crooners! This fun show is kicking off the Mill Mountain Concert Series on the Trinkle MainStage.

Experience the glitz and glamour of classic music icons such as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Michael Bublè and many more legends! This show is one that will make you want to get out of your seat and dance with us during an unforgettable night. Music of the Crooners will be on the Trinkle MainStage for three shows only from October 29th – 30th with a matinee Saturday afternoon.

The Mill Mountain Music Series is uplifted by nostalgic and iconic songs of the past and present that have been curated by MMT’s Resident Music Director and music maestro, Seth Davis. “So much of this music is truly part of the “Great American Songbook” and has been covered by some of the greatest performers of the past 100 years. Everyone in the audience will find themselves humming along to many of these favorite songs – and we’ve got a really great group of dynamic musicians that always deliver some stunning musical performances!”

Remember some of the most celebrated entertainers of our time at our Music of the Crooners concert. Sit back and enjoy tunes originated by the velvety voices of singers like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, and more. Pop standards from the Great American Songbook will leave you humming all the way home. Featuring a live band and singers, this concert is produced by MMT in just one week, and plays for three performances only!

“Music of the Crooners will bring all of the joy our audiences felt during Million Dollar Quartet and will make you want to snap and sing along throughout the night.” Says Ginger Poole, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director and Director of Music of the Crooners. “This will be the perfect show to bring your friends and family together and enjoy live music with songs we all know and love!”

Returning to MMT to cover these classic artists are Devin Altizer, Maddie Mae Walker, Nick Jones, Leonela Hernandez and Larry Kufel.

MMT’s production of Music of the Crooners 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 Production Management by Matt Shields.

Music of the Crooners begins performances on October 29th and runs through October 30th on the Trinkle MainStage for 3 performances only. Tickets can be purchased online at millmountain.org or by calling the box office at 540-342-5740

Sponsors for Music of the Crooners include Skyline National Bank and Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law. Grantors consist of Actors’ Equity Association, Blue Star Theatres, Center in the Square, National Endowment for the Arts, Radio IQ WVTF, Theatre Communications Group and Virginia Commission for the Arts.

Masks Optional at MMT

With recent changes stemming from Actors’ Equity Association and the decreasing COVID-19 rates in our area, Mill Mountain Theatre has decided to make masks optional, for everyone. Mill Mountain Theatre will continue to actively monitor the COVID-19 rates in the Roanoke Region and through the State and CDC recommendations.

Mill Mountain Theatre will continue to focus on keeping our audiences safe and will continue to build a safe environment for our audiences.

The staff and board at Mill Mountain Theatre have put countless hours into safely re-introducing its audiences into the theatre. Mill Mountain Theatre put nine of its staff members through the Health Education Services COVID safety program, creating nine COVID-19 Safety Compliance officers within the theatre. This group has also implemented the following guidelines in the theatre.

The cast, crew and staff have been vaccinated and tested weekly for COVID-19
The cast and crew will be masked throughout rehearsals.
Hand sanitizing stations and masks are available for our audience at each show.
The theatre has inspected and maintained its ventilation system to maintain compliance with the CDC and Actors’ Equity Association rules to protect the cast, crew, staff and audience.
MMT has implemented hospital-grade air filtration systems in its housing for actors, staff and the creative team.
MMT has been approved for its strict safety standards by Actors’ Equity Association.
Mill Mountain Theatre’s spaces are routinely cleaned and sanitized before every performance.
MMT continues to actively work with industry-leading COVID-19 researchers and doctors on the theatre’s board and at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion.

We look forward to welcoming our patrons to the Trinkle MainStage and seeing each one of our patrons this season.

WILLY WONKA AUDITIONS – February 24th & 25th

Auditions for Mill Mountain Theatre’s Summer Mainstage, Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA JR, will take place on Friday February 24th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturday February 25th from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Some may be asked to attend callbacks on Sunday February 26th at 2:00pm.

Please email conservatoryauditions@nullmillmountain.org for an audition appointment time, and put ‘Willy Wonka Audition’ in the subject line. Auditions will take place in MMT’s 3rd Floor Studio (located at 20 Church Ave SE). All children 6-18 years of age are invited to audition.

Please prepare:

Please prepare a 32-bar cut of a musical theatre song (about one minute). To also be considered for a role, please prepare a one-minute monologue as well. There will be a brief movement/dance call, so please bring appropriate attire that you can move in.

Rehearsals and performances:

Rehearsals are Monday through Saturday, beginning July 6th. Performances are July 26th through August 6th on MMT’s Trinkle Mainstage.

A little bit about the show:

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. follows candy maker Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. MMT’s version puts young actors in the spotlight, singing memorable songs including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candyman,” “ I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” “ Oompa-Loompa,” and “I Want it Now.”

Character Breakdown: (in order of appearance)

Willy Wonka/Candy Man – mysterious, mischievous, charismatic, and engaging. Wonka serves as narrator and ‘tour guide’ throughout the show, and must possess strong vocal and acting skills.

Charlie Bucket – the emotional heart and soul of the musical; honest, thoughtful, and virtuous. Spunky and enthusiastic, Charlie is in almost every scene and must possess strong vocal and acting skills.

Mr. Bucket – the bread-winner of the family; he deals with the pressures of supporting a whole family; a nurturer.

Mrs. Bucket – the support, stability, and care-taker of the family; she deals with running a household and looking after Charlie’s grandparents.

Grandpa Joe – caring, patient, sweet, and always reminds Charlie to remain cheerful. Must be kind and funny.

Grandma Josephina, Grandpa George, & Grandma Georgina – Charlie’s other grandparents; quirky and interesting. Must have good comic timing.

James & Matilda – friends of Charlie’s from school. Will likely double as Oompa-Loompas.

Phineous Trout – a reporter, who announces the Golden Ticket winners throughout the show. Must have a clear, confident speaking voice.

Augustus Gloop – an overachieving eater and glutton, a character actor who can sing.

Mrs. Gloop – Augustus’s over-indulgent mother.

Veruca Salt – A wealthy, class-concious spoiled brat. Often portrayed as British, but snobby comes in all nationalities, so not a requirement. Must be a strong singer.

Mr. Salt – solves problems by buying his way out. His nose in the air, he is obviously of the uppercrust, and you can see where Veruca gets her attitude from. An acting role (not much singing required).

Violet Beauregarde – a gum chewer extraordinaire and ‘blue-collar brat.’ Must have a strong singing voice.

Mrs. Beauregarde – a geography teacher who has invested a lot of hard-earned money into therapy for her orally-fixated daughter. An acting role (not much singing required).

Mike Teevee – a technology junkie, Mike is obsessed with television, video games, the internet, and any other technological device. Bratty, loud, and obnoxious; does not like to hear the word ‘no.’

Ms. Teevee – perfectly put together, and perfectly vacant. Think June Cleaver, Marion Cunningham, or Carol Brady.

Ensemble – to play Oompa-Loompas, Candy Man Kids, etc.

THE GHOSTLIGHT PROJECT: MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE

JOIN US IN MARKET SQUARE

JAN 19th at 5:30PM

On January 19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. outside in Market Square, Mill Mountain Theatre is proud to join theatres, artists, and audiences across the country and in each time zone to launch THE GHOSTLIGHT PROJECT.

Gathering outside of theaters on January 19th, people will join in a collective, simultaneous action, together creating “light” for challenging times ahead. Inspired by the tradition of leaving a “ghost light” on in a darkened theater, we pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone–regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

We at Mill Mountain Theatre aim to create brave spaces that will serve as lights to the community in the coming years. We aim to join a network of people across the country working to support vulnerable communities.

***Arrive by 5:15pm – it is important we start the program promptly at 5:30pm. Bring a light that is OFF when you arrive (stick to clear/white light) – bring flashlights, lanterns, cell phone lights, etc.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US AND BE A LIGHT + BRING A LIGHT. See you there!