Red Mountain Theatre Company dives headfirst into the new year with a production known worldwide as a masterpiece and “An American Folk Opera”. The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, February 7-23 at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre will create open eyes and generate conversations. Porgy and Bess weaves the tale about a relationship between a street beggar and an abused woman set in Depression-era South Carolina. Porgy and Bess was George Gershwin’s final work for the musical stage. Based on DuBose and Dorothy Heyward’s play Porgy, Porgy and Bess combines elements of jazz, classical, and American folk music.
 
Performer Charlie Bryant III anticipates his opportunity to take the RMTC stage and eager to help tell the stories and hardships of the residents of Catfish Row. A performer of the stage since the age of 10, his passion and love for the arts are the perfect elements to add to this classic, special, and layered production. “The music symbolizes Americana and black culture. The magic of it being an All-American folk opera is what makes it stand out,” stated Bryant.
 
Although the story is several decades old, the themes and issues intertwined in the plot can be easily relatable to today’s society. Bryant reflected, “Today, we struggle with addiction and corrupt law. We live in a world where honesty, equality, and love sometimes feel like words on a piece of paper. If we could stop and listen to the people around us, we could change millions of lives with love, acceptance, and hope.”
 
Bryant prepares emotionally and physically for the performances, but has aspirations for Porgy and Bess to transcend from the page and the stage. He concluded, “I’m hoping when the audience experiences Porgy and Bess they look beyond the actors portraying a character, but they see us living into these characters. I hope they take away how there are people in their lives and around the world that struggle with these different issues.”
 
We invite you to enter a place of great storytelling, strong collaboration, and simple understanding.
 
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
February 7-23
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

 

In these divisive and tumultuous times our country is experiencing, sometimes we have to reflect on the past in order to focus on the present and the hope to build for the future. Beginning February 7, Red Mountain Theatre Company will open the doors of the RMTC Cabaret Theatre and invite the community to witness a production that opens eyes and ignites conversations with The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Known worldwide as a masterpiece and “An American Folk Opera,” Porgy and Bess was George Gershwin’s final work for the musical stage. Based on DuBose and Dorothy Heyward’s play Porgy, Porgy and Bess combines elements of jazz, classical, and American folk music.
 
Set in an impoverished, Depression-era, African American community in South Carolina (called Catfish Row), it details the relationship of Porgy, a disabled street beggar, and Bess, a woman suffering drug and physical abuse. It’s a story that is tied with economic setbacks, tragic deaths, lost loves, injustice, faith, love, and community. Over its several decades of existence, the production of Porgy and Bess has evolved as a story as we have evolved as a society. RMTC will present the 2012 adaptation from acclaimed playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog, 365 Plays/365 Days) and Obie-winning composer Diedre Murray.
 
“This revised and edited libretto makes this iconic piece, in my opinion, much more accessible to a broader audience. It highlights the transformative effects of community, solidarity, and unconditional love,” noted Porgy and Bess Director Dennis Whitehead Darling. “I was able to look at this piece from a historical context and draw parallels that seem relevant today. Alcohol addiction, drug abuse, and violence towards women are notable themes in this iteration, and these themes mirror issues we still face today.” As we live in an opioid crisis and studies showing that a large percentage of women have experienced physical and sexual violence, the character Bess is the embodiment of these current issues. Darling followed up with, “Through Bess, we see the unrelenting grip drugs has on those who fall victim to it and how it is used as a vehicle to escape from her unbearable and abusive reality.”
 
A murder has been committed in the community of Catfish Row and from that violence spurs the wrath of law enforcement which furthers other another theme. “It dramatizes yet another societal issue facing people of color, the aggressively violent relationship between law enforcement and the African American community,” Darling stated.
 
Through the course of tragedy and hard times in the world of the production, there is an undeniable connection between humanity and a sense of community. Darling inserted, “Each resident of Catfish Row struggles to survive a harsh and unjust world in the Depression-era. They are often turning to prayer and each other for hope, strength, and salvation when faced with tragedy. In many ways, Porgy and Bess exemplifies how we might define life, love, and community.” Darling hopes that this the greatest takeaway and message for a very polarized country. Porgy and Bess holds steadfast to one hopeful idea, the idea of community.
 
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
February 7-23
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

No headaches, no traffic, no long lines, and no worries. RMTC has slid down the chimney and put under your stocking the hottest gift of the season….family entertainment. Holiday Spectacular is rockin’ around the RMTC Cabaret Theatre, December 6-22. The best of Birmingham professionals share the stage with the electrifying RMTC Conservatory to offer a night of your favorite holiday tunes and unforgettable moments.
 
RMTC Conservatory member, Liberty Park resident and Indian Springs School student Cameron Collier will be one of the many talented performers gracing the RMTC stage. For this 7th year Conservatory student, there is not a better way to make someone happy and put them into good spirits than watching live theatre. “During the rehearsal period, it gets very hectic before a show. We have to balance our school work and our performances in the production and that gets very difficult. When I get on the stage and see all of the smiles on the audience members, I realize that it is all worth it,” Collier noted.
 
For him, Holiday Spectacular is an escape for people trapped in the chaos of the holiday season. It’s a safe haven to hear great songs and enjoy the company of even greater people. Collier stated, “The production always brings everyone into the holiday spirit. Every year we stress about getting the perfect gift, searching for sales, decorating the house, and cooking while trying to live our normal, everyday lives. It’s a time of stress and we tend to lose focus on what matters most. Holiday Spectacular allows you a break from the stress and spend time with your friends and family.”
 
Holiday Spectacular is a very special time for Conservatory students as it allows an opportunity for them to showcase their talents. It also creates many special memories for them…even some funny ones. Cameron has had a few in his time with RMTC, “My favorite moment was an opening number where I came out on the stage with lights tangled around my body. I begin singing the lyrics, ‘Can someone help me out with these lights’ and it was such a hilarious moment for everybody.”
 
Cameron and RMTC to bring the laughs, the smiles, and the tears to the RMTC stage. Come down to the RMTC Cabaret Theatre and experience the magic!
 
Holiday Spectacular
December 6-22
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

Dust off your tacky sweater or vest, corral the kids, and bring your holiday spirit to the RMTC Cabaret Theatre for Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Holiday Spectacular, December 6-22. The best of Birmingham professionals tag team with the dynamic RMTC Conservatory to cook up a batch of sweet tunes and savory performances.
 
Spain Park Senior and RMTC Conservatory student Kaylee Hallmon will be delivering a face-kicking performance in Holiday Spectacular. In her only second year as a member of the group, she has made quite an impact with RMTC since joining. Her time with the Conservatory has been exhausting, but also one of the most rewarding experiences she’s ever had. “The amount of professionalism that is taught and expected from every Conservatory student is very unique to the program. Keith (Cromwell, RMTC Executive Director) is a fantastic director and the program truly trains young adults as young adults. The fact that it is a community program allows for great depth and diversity. It allows students to have a well-rounded theatre program even if their school doesn’t offer one,” Hallmon emphatically stated.
 

Kaylee’s drive and passion to be the very best that she can be will serve her well in her next phase of life, college. She looks forward to studying musical theatre or pre-law. Whatever direction she takes, the lessons from the RMTC Conservatory will follow her. She noted, “Regardless of your career path, the Conservatory trains young adults to succeed in many manners of life. The amount of professionalism, responsibility, and acceptance of change one earns is truly unmatched. I will always be grateful for that.”
 
Holiday Spectacular is a very special time for RMTC Conservatory students. It’s an opportunity for these young performers to showcase their talents alongside marvelous, professional performers. This will be Kaylee’s last time to grace the RMTC stage for this particular performance. Although this is only her second Holiday Spectacular, for Hallmon it resonates with her on so many levels, “It’s the best production I have ever worked on. This is my favorite time of the year and I absolutely love holiday music. It’s a feel-good experience for everybody and if I can put a smile on at least one person’s face, I’ve done something right.”
 
Kaylee and RMTC will be ringing those sleigh bells for you to stop by and visit. Join the party today!
 
Holiday Spectacular
December 6-22
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

This holiday season you will have the opportunity to receive a gift so grand that Santa and his elves couldn’t make in their workshop. Red Mountain Theatre Company is offering you the gift of gut-busting, tear-jerking entertainment with their annual Holiday Spectacular, December 6-22 at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre. The best of Birmingham professionals team up with the phenomenal RMTC Conservatory to offer your favorite holiday tunes and festivities “yule” never forget.to
 
Mountain Brook Junior and 10th-year RMTC Conservatory student Julia Ferreira will be rocking the stage in this wonderful production. RMTC has had the pleasure of Julia’s involvement since she was the age of six. “I first started in theatre because one of my best friends in elementary school participated in RMTC’s summer camps. She enjoyed it very much, so I decided to join her for one summer. I fell in love with it and I continued to attend each year,” Ferreira noted.
 
Throughout her time at RMTC, Julia has had the chance to improve on her skills in singing, dancing, acting, and time management. Her hard work through these challenges has led to many successes and rewards. The most valuable reward has been the family that she has created within the organization. Ferreira reflected, “I practically grew up in the company. If I wasn’t at home, I was raised by Keith Cromwell (RMTC Executive Director) and the rest of the amazing staff of RMTC. My best friends have also journeyed through the program with me and have been a part of my second family.”
 
When it comes to Holiday Spectacular, it is a special production for Julia filled with memories…even some funny and unfortunate ones. “Last year, I had the honor of performing in the Frosty suit for a medley dedicated to holiday cartoons. In a previous number, I badly twisted my ankle and could not perform for the rest of the evening. Keith (Cromwell) quickly stepped in and went on in my place. He, of course, put on a brilliant performance,” Ferreira humorously recalled.
 

As the last takeaway, she chimed in with, “Holiday Spectacular is special because there are moments of laughter, tears, and overall joy. No matter what faith you practice, the ideas of a miracle and having hope resonate throughout the audience. All I wish is for audience members to be entertained and leave our theatre happy and full of holiday spirit. Hopefully, newcomers will create a new holiday tradition for their family and friends.”
 
Whether it’s eight crazy nights, a partridge in a pear tree, or a Festivus miracle…it’s good times for all.
 
Holiday Spectacular
December 6-22
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

It will soon be time for the chaotic shopping, the overflowing amounts of bows and wrapping paper, and the endless holiday parties. Through the stress, headaches, and gained calories there is a shining beacon of hope happening at the RMTC Cabaret Theatre. A Birmingham tradition, Holiday Spectacular, returns to bring joy and great memories for all on December 6-22. The best of Birmingham professionals join forces with the incredible RMTC Conservatory to offer your favorite holiday tunes and a magical event of entertainment.
 
RMTC Conservatory and Vestavia Hills High School Senior Sarah Kaye Carpenter will be one of the many talented performers bringing the fun, the laughs, and maybe even the tears. She has been involved with RMTC on-and-off for the past decade and is beginning her fifth and final year in the Conservatory. Theatre and performing haven’t been a hobby, but have been in her blood. “My mother was a musical theatre major and she really inspired me to attend performances. Once I witnessed my first show, I quickly fell in love with it,” recalled Carpenter.
 
Her time in the Conservatory gave her the opportunity to find her place in the world and build her confidence. Carpenter passionately stated, “I’ve always struggled with anxiety and not quite knowing where I fit in, so it was very stressful for me at times. The love and support I receive from my fellow Conservatory members really helped me overcome those hurdles. My greatest reward by far has been my self-confidence and believing in myself.” That overflowing honey pot of confidence will be applied in the next stage of her life as she hopes to study Music Performance in college. Wherever Sarah Kaye ends up, she will certainly be a valuable asset to that institution.
 
As a Senior, she will have the bittersweet task of performing in her last Holiday Spectacular as a member of the RMTC Conservatory. Memories have been shared and she truly understands why this is an RMTC tradition. The love of friends and family on stage has made a lasting impact on her. “The stories portrayed in Holiday Spectacular are so special and nothing is close in comparison. The finale is my favorite part of the production. The connection you feel with everyone on stage and the audience is unlike any feeling ever experienced. I hope the audience takes away the sense of love and holiday spirit into their communities,” Carpenter reflected.

 
Sarah Kaye and RMTC await your presence for the holiday event of the season.
 
Holiday Spectacular
December 6-22
RMTC Cabaret Theatre
Click here for tickets and information.

 

Red Mountain Theatre Company is wrapping up its 2018-19 season with the fresh and creative musical Matilda The Musical at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater on the campus of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. RMTC welcomes back a lovely presence on the stage, Bonny Baker, for the third summer in a row playing the heartwarming friend and teacher of Matilda, Miss Honey.
 
Whether it’s Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof or Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Baker looks forward to the new and exciting challenge of undertaking a role. “This is a fresh and new experience for me. In the past, I have played very headstrong female characters, but with Miss Honey it’s a completely new angle. She is still very strong, but not in a forward way. Her strength lies in her quiet, kindness, and love for children,” Baker states.
 
The musical based off of the children’s book by famed author Roald Dahl, is a cute and charming tale with a powerful message that resonates throughout our community today. “It allows for us to understand that anybody has the ability to change the world. You just have to make a decision to overcome whatever obstacles you face and keep marching towards the greater good,” Baker points out.
 
In an age of popular, larger-than-life superheroes, it is refreshing to know the hero of our story in Matilda is not a powerful, towering adult that makes an impact, but an intelligent little girl with psychokinetic powers. Matilda faces the daily trials and tribulations of her unloving parents and an unbearable school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, but overcomes them all with wit, charm, love, and friendship. This speaks volumes for Baker as she inserts, “The story gives children the chance to be the rockstar, the superhero. The children are the ones that save the day. How inspiring is that for any child? It allows the child to understand they can change the world now and not feel like they have to grow up to make a dent in society.”
 
Whether you are 2 or 92, Matilda is a story that will empower you to face the challenges of today’s world with a warm heart and a friendly smile. Matilda reminds us we are not alone in the struggle.
 
Matilda The Musical
July 12-August 4
Dorothy Jemison Day Theater
Click here for tickets and information.

 

Red Mountain Theatre Company will culminate its 2018-19 season with the charming Matilda The Musical at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater on the campus of the Alabama School of Fine Arts. RMTC recently celebrated their 40th anniversary and it has been a joy to bring back faces from the past and bring forward new faces to the RMTC stage. RMTC welcomes an alum who grew up in the days of the Summerfest (former title of Red Mountain Theatre Company) workshops, the extremely talented Elise Mayfield. Mayfield will be shimmying all over the stage as Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda The Musical.
 
Mayfield is not only a veteran of the Birmingham stage having performed for numerous theatre companies, but she also pounded the pavement as an actor in Chicago. During her time there, she furthered her chops by studying improv and sketch comedy for the famed Improv Olympic and Second City. She is finally making her RMTC return and continuing her story with the organization, “The last production I performed in was Footloose (one of Executive Director Keith Cromwell’s first productions) and I remember closing the show, my parents picking me up at the stage, and they drove straight to my dorm room at Ole Miss where I started college the next day,” reminisces Mayfield.
 
She is counting the days to grace her presence on the stage as this has been a production she has been anticipating for quite some time. “It’s one of my favorite books and I still love the movie that came out in the 90s. I had the pleasure of witnessing this musical on Broadway and it reminded me how much I love the story. The music is incredible, the characters are fascinating, and the staging is engaging. What more could you want,” exclaims Mayfield.
 
As fun as it to play the character of Mrs. Wormwood, it is the heart of the story that she hopes resonates with the audience. “Matilda is about the small triumphing over the big. It’s not just little as in physically little like the small children in the story, but also emotionally as the character of Miss Honey triumphs after being made small time after time by Miss Trunchbull. It’s a story about the underdog,” explains Mayfield. “I hope the community is inspired by our amazing cast of kids, and remember that even the little can overcome incredible obstacles.”
 

Matilda The Musical
July 12-August 4
Dorothy Jemison Day Theater
Click here for tickets and information.

For immediate release:

Media Contacts: Drew Francis

Red Mountain Theatre Company

205-324-2424

Marketing@redmountaintheatre.org

2^nd Act

Red Mountain Theatre Company to Develop Arts Campus in Parkside

BIRMINGHAM, AL – APRIL 29, 2019 – Red Mountain Theatre Company is proud to announce the start of its Second Act. Beginning in 1979 as Summerfest Musical Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) will now take the stage for its most transformational performance yet – the creation of an arts campus in the Parkside District of Birmingham, Alabama.

 

The Tony Award-winning theatre company has been searching over a number of years for just the right location to house all of its operations under one roof. “It has been a dream for us to consolidate our programming in order to better serve our community,” said Executive Director Keith Cromwell. “We envision an arts campus where artists can create, students can develop life – and theatre – skills, and where for profit and nonprofit can drive economic growth together.

 

The new Arts Campus will be located at 1600 3^rd Ave. South between 16^th & 17^th Streets South next to Regions Field in the heart of Birmingham. “RMTC is right at the heart of our city, and this space will allow us to be more efficient and more effective in our mission of enriching, educating, and engaging our community,” said RMTC Board President and community leader Kathryn Harbert. Architectural design is well underway for the Arts campus to include state-of-the art rehearsal and classroom spaces, a next generation 400-seat theatre, and administrative and shop offices.

 

LIVE Design Group, longtime friends of the theatre, will serve as architects. Known for their innovative work in managing the development of houses of worship and large space management, LIVE Design has already caught the vision of creating spaces for artists to thrive. Brasfield & Gorrie is the general contractor, having supported RMTC for many years in a variety of capacities. Harbert Realty Services brings all these pieces together to keep the project moving forward. Construction is anticipated to be complete in the summer of 2021.

Red Mountain Theatre Company is an organization that inspires audiences through powerful theatre experiences led by professionals who deliver engaging performances produced and presented with artistic integrity.

 

In addition to theatre productions, RMTC offers educational programs that build positive life skills for young people and provide growth opportunities for theatre professionals. The Birmingham- based nonprofit organization has been inspiring audiences, changing lives and creating conversations through theatre experiences since 1979.

About LIVE Design Group

LIVE Design Group, founded in 1987, is an Architectural and Interior Design firm specializing in worship, theatre, and academic facilities for growing organizations that desire a building that reflects them – not their architect.  With a responsibility to their clients’ vision and making everyone a contributor, the firm designs projects LIVE with their clients’ providing “real time” input.  This innovative concept allows the client to see their design in virtual reality, maximizes resources, expedites the process and lets financial stewardship drive decisions.  The firm is changing the role of the architect, not just the process.

 

About Harbert Realty Services, LLC

Founded in 1983, Harbert Realty Services, LLC (HRS), is a privately held commercial real estate organization with a clear mission: Create value for our clients and investor partners. HRS is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama and retains a team of more than 60 real estate professionals that are experts in the office, retail, medical and multi-family sectors. HRS has built its footprint throughout the southeastern United States with offices in Atlanta, Orlando and Jacksonville Florida. HRS is focused on delivering best-in-class real estate expertise in Brokerage, Leasing, Project/Construction Management, Property/Asset Management, Tenant Representation, Development and Investment Services. Separately, HRS owns ROCK Apartment Advisors (the multifamily investment sales leader in the mid-South) and Harbert Lease Solutions (a global lease administration and real estate accounting service provider).  As a majority owned subsidiary of Harbert Management Corporation www.harbert.net, HRS’ mix of experience, resources and reach provides our clients a comprehensive array of professional real estate services. Value Creation Begins, Here. Learn more about HRS at www.harbertrealty.com.

 

About Brasfield & Gorrie

Founded in 1964, Brasfield & Gorrie is one of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms, providing general contracting, design-build, and construction management services for a wide variety of markets. We are skilled in construction best practices, including virtual design and construction, integrated project delivery, and lean construction, but we are best known for our preconstruction and self-perform expertise and exceptional client service. Brasfield & Gorrie has 12 offices and approximately 3,000 employees. Our 2018 revenues were $3.3 billion. Engineering News-Record ranks Brasfield & Gorrie 27th among the nation’s “Top 400 Contractors” for 2018.