Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast

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.

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.

Our twenty-second official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Tiffany Waters, Mill Mountain Theatre's newest Teaching Artist. Join Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, as she discusses Tiffany's journey throughout her career in the performing arts. Tiffany is joining the Mill Mountain team from Washington, D.C., where she works primarily as an actor and educator. She is a graduate of Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare and Performance MLitt/MFA program in partnership with the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, V.A. Most recently, Tiffany has worked with Moonlit Wings Productions as a teaching artist educating and directing young performers ages 8-14 and is a troupe member of the Rude Mechanicals in D.C., where she made her directorial debut with a zoom production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and has appeared as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, the Duchess in Revenger’s Tragedy, and the Jailor’s Daughter in Two Noble Kinsmen. She is so grateful to once again have the opportunity to exist within the four walls of a theatre and is eager to welcome back our students and audiences!  

Our twenty-first official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Priyanka Shetty, the playwright and star of MMT's 2021 production of The Elephant In The Room. Join Payton Moledor, the Assistant Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, as she talks to Priyanka about her journey from India to Virginia and beyond as well as her multi-facited career as a playwright, performer and director. Priyanka Shetty is an actor, director and playwright. She graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Virginia and served as a Faculty member at the University of Virginia, Department of Drama. Priyanka is the author of two original plays – her one-woman show The Elephant in the Room, and #Charlottesville constructed verbatim from interviews with residents of Charlottesville, VA who speak about the city in light of the white supremacist rallies and events of August 11-12, 2017. Priyanka is currently working on her third play The Wall which deals with the immigrant experience in America. www.priyankashetty.comThe Elephant in the Room, part of Mill Mountain Theatre's 2021 season, premiered at CATCO/Evolution Theatre in Columbus OH in March 2019 and kickstarted The Elephant on the Road Tour at Yale University in April 2019. Since then Priyanka has performed at several venues across the country and her most recent performance was on the Millennium Stage at The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC. TEITR won the 2020 Broadway World Awards for Best Actor of the Decade (Professional) and Best Play of the Decade (Professional) as well as the 2019 Broadway World Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Play (Professional), Best Play (Professional), and Best Director of a Play (Professional.) Priyanka is excited to continue touring with this performance and taking it to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022.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.

Our twentieth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Broadway performer Donald Jones Jr.! Join host Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, as she talks to Donald about his journey to Broadway and experience as the Director and Choreographer of MMT's 2020 production of "Dreamgirls," canceled due to COVID-19. Donald Jones, Jr. is a Director/Choreographer and Actor originally from New Orleans. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University of Louisiana where he received a B.S. in Theatre and Dance. He has trained with the New Orleans Ballet Academy, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, the American Dance Festival, and Spectrum Dance Theater of Seattle, where he was a company member from 2011-2013. Donald has taught dance both nationally and internationally at Broadway Dance Center of New York, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Classroom, Studio West Dance Center of Colorado, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and was a Cultural ambassador with DanceMotion USA where he performed and taught contemporary American dance in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. He lived in NYC for 7 years where he performed on Broadway in productions of Frozen (OBC), Aladdin (OBC), and CHICAGO. His Off-Broadway credits include: Sweet Charity with The New Group and West Side Story with Carnegie Hall. He has also done a National Tour with The Color Purple Musical. Donald has Directed/Choreographed productions of Dreamgirls at Mill Mountain Theatre, Children's Letters to God with NORD. He is also a guest choreographer for several episodes and advertisements for Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues and You. Follow him on IG @doniejunior. 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.

Our nineteenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Scenic Designer Jimmy Ray Ward. Host Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, talks to Jimmy about his rich career at Mill Mountain Theatre and beyond. With an MFA in Design from UNC-Greensboro and a BS in Theatre from Radford University, Jimmy Ward has been designing scenery, lighting, and costumes professionally for over 20 years. His design and production credits include work at numerous theatre companies along the East coast including Spoleto Festival USA, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Seaside Music Theatre, Flatrock Playhouse, and the Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Within Southwest Virginia, Jimmy frequently designs for Opera Roanoke, Virginia Children's Theatre, and Mill Mountain Theatre, where he worked as Resident Designer for nine seasons. Jimmy's work has also been featured in installation projects for the Taubman Museum of Art, Virginia Museum of Transportation, the History Museum of Western Virginia, and most recently in Virginia Tech's Newman Library where the "Performing History: Women and the Vote" exhibit, co-produced by faculty from Radford and Virginia Tech, can be viewed. 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.

Our eighteenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features MMT's own Community Engagement Coordinator and Teaching Artist Alexia Buckner. Host Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, talks to Alexia about her work with Theatrical Intimacy Education. Alexia Buckner is a Memphis native and recent graduate of the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University. During her time in school, she was given many opportunities to star in shows as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun, and the ferocious Dragon in Shrek the Musical. She was last seen on the Mill Mountain stage as Lily Polkadots in Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical! When she is not onstage, she loves to spend her time in aerial gyms, traveling, hosting workshops with Theatrical Intimacy Education, and watching baking competition shows. Follow her @thealexiabuckner to see what else she’s working on!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.

Our seventeenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features MMT's own resident music director Seth Davis. Host Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, talks to Seth about his artistic background and passion for musical collaboration. Seth Davis has been Mill Mountain Theatre's resident music director for 8 years after first serving as Associate Music Director for Mill Mountain’s 2013 production of The Sound of Music. Seth is a music director and musician in both the musical theater and classical music realms, in addition to being a teacher, clinician, and coach for performers and musicians of all ages. Regional credits include Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Spring Awakening, See What I Wanna See (Actor’s Express), Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical (Georgia Shakespeare), Time Between Us, A Diva’s Christmas, Hair (Serenbe Playhouse) and The Andrews Brothers (Stage Door Players). Seth has also served as musical director for Georgia Tech and Oglethorpe University in addition to teaching at The Alliance Theatre, Aurora Theatre and judging many regional music and theater festival competitions.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.

Our sixteenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Broadway performer and choreographer Nick Kepley.  Host Ginger Poole, the Producing Artistic Director of Mill Mountain Theatre, chats with Nick about his robust career from the professional ballet world to Broadway and beyond. Born in Asheville, NC, Nick Kepley trained with Sandra Miller and spent summers at School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School. Concert dance: Ballet Austin, Kansas City Ballet. Broadway/NY stage: Mary Poppins (Broadway), Camelot (Lincoln Center), American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (Joyce Theatre). TV/Film: SMASH (NBC), Great Performances (PBS). Kepley served as Ballet Master of Ballet Austin II from 2013-2015, teaching technique, pointe, and men’s variations for the second company and upper levels of the Ballet Austin Academy. He represented Ballet Austin nationally on their summer intensive audition tour. In 2010, Kepley founded MOTION Dance Theatre, a summer choreographic residency program in Asheville, NC, and served as artistic director until 2015. In addition to his extensive choreographic career, he teaches company class regularly for Broadway Dance Lab. 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.

Missed the Polkadots Talkback? This special episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast brings back the cast and creative of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical for a rerun of the exclusive talkback, originally livestreamed via Facebook on October 1, 2020. Director Christopher Castanho chats with the cast about the process of rehearsing and filming Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical exclusively for Broadway on Demand. You can see the show by visiting millmountain.org/polkadots and clicking the red "TICKETS" button until October 9. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical features the talents of MMT’s 2020 Apprentice Company: Alexia Buckner, Achilles Mulkey, Nisa Isabella Mercado, Madeline Walker, Roberto Méndez, and AnnElese Galleo. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for the world, reminding us that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts. 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.

Our fourteenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features the 2020 MMT Apprentice Company and cast of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) chats with the cast about performing during a global pandemic.Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical will be streamed from September 15 to October 9 on Broadway on Demand and features the talents of MMT's 2020 Apprentice Company: Alexia Buckner, Achilles Mulkey, Nisa Isabella Mercado, Madeline Walker, Roberto Méndez, and AnnElese Galleo. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson for the world, reminding us that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts.  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.

Our thirteenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Michelle LoRicco, Theatre Director at Patrick Henry High School. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) hears about being a well-rounded Theatre artist.Michelle LoRicco is a passionate educator, director, and playwright who loves to create and tell stories on stage and in the classroom with people of all ages. Ms. LoRicco is Director of the Theatre program at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, VA. Michelle graduated from the University of Central Florida with her MFA, specializing in Theatre for Young Audiences, and she received her Bachelor’s in Theatre, specializing in Musical Theatre, at Palm Beach Atlantic University. She has developed curriculum and worked in the education departments at the American Repertory Theatre, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Christ Fellowship, and Children’s Impact Network. MichelleLoRicco.com  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.

Our twelfth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Todd Ristau, Assistant Professor- Director, M.F.A. in Playwriting at Hollins University. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) hears about the Playwright's Lab at Hollins and Todd's career centering around new works.Todd Ristau designed and launched the Playwright’s Lab at Hollins University and has served as program director since its launch in 2007. He is a distinguished graduate of the Iowa Playwright’s Workshop. His work has been performed in theatres across the U.S. and England, including London’s West End. He founded No Shame Theatre in 1986 and oversaw its evolution into a national network of venues for new works in dozens of cities. He has an extensive theatre background, with expertise in acting, directing, and design. He worked with Mill Mountain Theatre for six years as coordinator of their second stage and as literary associate overseeing new works programming. Ristau served as the first artistic director of Studio Roanoke, a storefront theatre space dedicated to new works development in downtown Roanoke. Ristau is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.  He has served as chair of playwriting for the South Eastern Theatre Conference, Getchell New Play Award Committee, and KCACTF Region IV’s Chair of the National Playwriting Program.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.

Our eleventh official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Shannon Robert, Associate Professor of Theatre at Clemson University. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) learns how Shannon approaches the arts from a technical theatre perspective. Shannon Robert serves on the design faculty and is a proud member of USA 829 in Scene Design. She received the M.F.A. in scene design from Florida State University and studied at the Moscow Art Theatre Conservatory in 1991. She is an instructor for the Dramatists Guild of America Institute in New York. Shannon was director of theatre and design at William Carey University and serves as a member of the Hollins University M.F.A. Faculty. She managed the paint/craft departments of The Spoon Group Productions in NJ/NY, and fabricated props/painted for the Broadway productions of “The Grinch,” “Grease,” “Xanadu,” “Legally Blonde,” “Inherit the Wind,” “The Pirate Queen,” “Coram Boy,” “The Color Purple,” “Jersey Boys,” “Spamalot,” and “Hairspray.” With Technical Theatre Solutions, she painted for the national tours of “Cinderella,” “In the Heights,” “Mamma Mia” (Vegas) and “Something Rotten.” Most recently, Shannon’s work was selected for the PQ 2019 Exhibition in Prague as part of the United States Transformations Exhibit sponsored by USITT. With her colleagues, Shannon was recently awarded a $47,750 Innovation Grant from USITT to develop new technology for application in the theatre industry. Shannon’s research is in the area of sustainable sourcing for the entertainment industry which includes eco-friendly products, recycling, and upcycling materials.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.

Our tenth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features Amanda Nelson, Associate Professor of Theatre and Arts Leadership at Virginia Tech. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) learns how Amanda Nelson is raising the bar in the arts. Amanda Nelson directs the M.F.A. program area in Arts Leadership. Before coming to Virginia Tech, Amanda worked 11 years for the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC, where she oversaw membership programs, government relations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation support. Prior to joining Ailey, she worked in marketing and educational outreach. At IBM, she was part of a web marketing team; at the non-profit Girls Incorporated, she designed and implemented arts programs for inner-city youth; and at Young Audiences of the Bay Area, she worked in outreach and marketing.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.

Our ninth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast features SETC Executive Director, Susie Prueter. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) hears about her career and involvement as President of the Alliance for Full Acceptance, an LGBT social justice organization in Charleston.Prior to SETC, Susie worked for Work Light Productions as an Associate Production Manager, supporting such tours as Rent, Motown, and Something Rotten. Prior to Work Light, Susie was with the prestigious Spoleto Festival USA, an international performing arts festival in Charleston, SC, where she supported more than 20 festivals as its Production Office Manager. On behalf of Spoleto, Susie also managed the renovation and first years of operation of historic Memminger Auditorium, a performing arts and special events venue in downtown Charleston.Susie earned a BA in Speech/Theatre from Louisiana Tech University and an MFA in Arts Administration from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She is a member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM) and IATSE Local #333.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.

Our eighth official episode of Meet Me At Mill Mountain: The Podcast explores how there are many different paths in the arts. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) sits down with equity actress Amy Baldwin.You may have seen Amy Baldwin on MMT's Stages as Donna in Mamma Mia!, Diana in Next To Normal, and Amanda in The Glass Menagerie. Other regional credits include Tracy Lord (The Philadelphia Story), Scarecrow (Wizard of Oz), Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), Reagan (King Lear), Ruth Condomine (Blithe Spirit). Amy is a proud AEA member & thinks dogs the best--particularly rescue dogs.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.

Our seventh episode explores the artistic challenges of our current world and regional theatres. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) sits down with fellow Producing Artistic Directors: Lisa K Bryant (Flat Rock Playhouse) and Katy Brown (Barter Theatre).Katy Brown is Barter’s new Producing Artistic Director. She has served as Associate Artistic Director and Head of Casting since 2006, been Artistic Director of the Barter Players since 2000, and came to Barter in 1998 as an actor. She has directed more than 100 professional productions and is proud to have been named to the Tri-Cities 40 under 40, the YW Tribute Women (Arts), and The Business Journal’s 25 Women of Influence.Lisa K. Bryant has been Flat Rock Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director since 2014 and began her career with the Playhouse as an apprentice in 1994. Over the years, Bryant has developed broad experience in a variety of places. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Elon University and her MFA in Performance from the University of Central FloridaGinger Poole has been Mill Mountain Theatre's Producing Artistic Director for over 10 years. Poole has studied, taught, choreographed, and performed throughout the U.S.  Prior to coming to Mill Mountain Theatre, she was based out of North Carolina where she has worked with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of North Carolina, for 10 years. Ginger holds her M.F.A. in Acting Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and continues to teach acting and dance. 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.

Our sixth episode explores what it's like to have a career in the arts. Host Ginger Poole (MMT Producing Artistic Director) interviews guest Bill Muñoz (AEA Stage Manager) about their history in the business.You have seen Bill Muñoz's Stage Management work on the Trinkle MainStage in The Sound of Music (2019), Mamma Mia! (2018), A Christmas Story (2017) and The Marvelous Wonderettes (2013). Last year, Bill celebrated 30 years of being a proud Union member! Beginning at Flat Rock Playhouse, in Western NC, (29 seasons, over 130 productions) and working in theatres in the southeast, he has also worked as an Actor and Fight Choreographer. Bill resides in Hendersonville, NC, with lovely wife, while their daughter resides in NYC, attending the NY Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, pursuing a career in Film. 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.

Our fifth episode focuses on the word "Inspire". Hosts Billie Aken-Tyers and Kayla Ryan Walsh interview Actress, Musician, and Educator, Emma Leigh Gwin.You may have seen Emma shine at Mill Mountain Theatre as Maria in The Sound of Music, perform in various concerts: Let’s Go To The Movies and An Evening With Andrew Lloyd Webber, and even the Fringe Series production of The Little Lion as Another Sheina. Emma directed MMT's Mother Goose Tales, and music directed A Year With Frog & Toad TYA and A Peter Rabbit Tale: A Children's Musical. As a teaching artist, she has instructed more than 300 students throughout her time in the Education program and performed for over 7,000 patrons.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.