For Immediate Release
Roanoke's professional Comedy Improv troupe, BIG LICK CONSPIRACY, returns to
Mill Mountain Theatre for 2011-12 Season
Mill Mountain Theatre is happy to welcome back the comedy troupe BIG LICK CONSPIRACY. Their first show back on the Waldron Stage is scheduled for September 17 at 8PM.
BIG LICK CONSPIRACY has been performing live improv comedy to the Roanoke Valley for the past 6 years and made their start on the Mill Mountain Stage. The comedy troupe has a solid following and regularly performs to SOLD OUT audiences.
“We are very excited to have BIG LICK back under our roof again! We look forward to their performances in our upcoming seasons”, said Ginger Poole, Managing Director and Director of Education at Mill Mountain Theatre
BIG LICK CONSPIRACY is very much like TV show, WHO’S LINE IS IT ANYWAY?... just on steroids! They create comedy scenes based on audience suggestions and on-stage participation. They produce high-energy, fast paced, hilarious shows that also incorporate music and original sketches.
Ross Laguzza, co-director of the troupe added, "We are so excited about returning to the place where we started. The Waldron Stage is an ideal venue for improv comedy and we love being part of the downtown vibe. "
BIG LICK CONSPIRACY also plans to offer improv classes and workshops with their homecoming to Mill Mountain Theatre.
You can find out more about BIG LICK CONSPIRACY by checking out their website at www.BigLickConspiracy.com , FACEBOOK, and www.millmountain.org
*end*
For Immediate Release
Mill Mountain Theatre Takes Major Step Toward Reinvention-
Chooses New Leader for the Future
 Roanoke, VA…April 21, 2009… Mill Mountain Theatre, a Western Virginia regional cultural icon for over 40 years, today introduced a new Producing Artistic Director and announced plans to resume operations.
“Today, we are thrilled to announce that Scott Treadway, a veteran and well-respected professional of live theater, has been named Producing Artistic Director at Mill Mountain Theatre”, said John T. “Jack” Avis, Jr., President of the Theatre’s Board of Directors.
A native of Johnson City, TN, Mr. Treadway has spent twenty-seven years with Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre of NC located in Western North Carolina, where he served as Associate Artistic Director, Development Director, Director and Actor. An alumnus of the University of Tennessee, Mr. Treadway has been a member of Actors' Equity Association since 1986 and has appeared in over 140 productions in live performance venues from Miami to Milwaukee.
“Scott is clearly the right leader at the right time for Mill Mountain Theatre”, added Avis, who has led the Board’s reinvention and search effort the past two years. “The day that the Board made the difficult but appropriate decision to suspend operations was a dark one for our region, but our announcement today is very exciting, and affirms what our Board said two years ago - that we were committed to the reopening of Mill Mountain Theatre but only if we were certain that it would deliver a product of the highest quality, could be sustainable, and could operate in a financially responsible way. With Scott’s hiring, we are confident that these guiding principles will be achieved, and we are pleased that he has agreed to come to Roanoke and lead our Theatre into the future.”
In a meeting earlier today with the Theatre’s Board of Directors, Mr. Treadway commented on his reasons to commit his talents to Mill Mountain. “There are so many reasons why a candidate would find this job extremely appealing: the facilities are incredible, the Roanoke community is a dream, Mill Mountain’s storied history, and more. Because this interview process was so extensive, I was able to get to know the Board of Directors more intimately than the typical candidate would. They are the biggest reason why I have the confidence to take on this challenge”, said Treadway. “In all the years that I’ve
been in this industry, I have never seen a more honest, committed, ‘poised for success’ Board of Directors than that of MMT. Add to that, the fantastic staff and mission of the Center in the Square and you have an opportunity to build a remarkable theatre company. So, needless to say, I’m incredibly
humbled and grateful to be their choice. My daughter and I cannot wait to make Roanoke our hometown and I can’t wait to get to work for MMT.” Treadway assumes his position on June 1.
Ginger Poole, Mill Mountain Theatre’s Managing Director and Director of Education who also was formerly employed by Flat Rock Playhouse, is thrilled to be working again with Treadway. “Scott is an amazing talent and leader, and I am so excited to have him join Mill Mountain Theatre. I believe we will make a very strong team because we have a twelve-year history to build on [from Flat Rock Playhouse]”, said Poole.
In January 2009, after a period of severe financial difficulty, the Board of Directors responsibly ceased mounting a full season of productions at Mill Mountain Theatre. All employees, with the except ion of the Director of Education, Ginger Poole, were laid off at that time. Since then, Mill Mountain Theatre has worked to resolve its long-term debt issues. It has also paid off or negotiated with all of its trade creditors to their satisfaction.
The Theatre’s Board of Directors and Staff worked closely with professionals of other regional theatres, patrons, educators, business and community leaders, and key supporters of MMT to create a new business model for the Theatre’s future that acknowledges the organization’s historical importance to the region’s identity, to local tourism initiatives, and to business development and recruitment efforts while being sensitive to today’s economic realities.
Mill Mountain Theatre plans to resume a full season in 2013, timed to coincide with the grand reopening of Center in the Square, which is currently undergoing extensive renovations. Arrangements will be made to accommodate former sponsors and Season Ticket holders for any unused tickets from the 2008-2009 Season.
Mill Mountain Theatre Chooses New Leader for the Future – Scott Treadway
|
