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The '''Red Mountain Theatre Company''' is a non-profit theater group specializing in musical theater productions. | [[File:Red Mountain Theatre logo.png|right]] | ||
The '''Red Mountain Theatre Company''' ('''RMTC''') is a non-profit theater group specializing in musical theater productions. | |||
The company was founded as the '''Summerfest Musical Theatre''' in [[1979]] by [[UAB]] drama professor [[James Hatcher]] with [[Birmingham Mayor]] [[David Vann]] and ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' entertainment editor [[Emmett Weaver]]. It served as a summer stock company that would extend the [[Town & Gown Theatre]]'s repertoire to musical theater. As a non-profit, the group not only produces a full slate of public performances, but also provides training and education to area students. The company administers scholarships in honor of Hatcher and [[Fannie Flagg]] and operates several youth programs in the summer with visiting guest artists. | The company was founded as the '''Summerfest Musical Theatre''' in [[1979]] by [[UAB]] drama professor [[James Hatcher]] with [[Birmingham Mayor]] [[David Vann]] and ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' entertainment editor [[Emmett Weaver]]. It served as a summer stock company that would extend the [[Town & Gown Theatre]]'s repertoire to musical theater. As a non-profit, the group not only produces a full slate of public performances, but also provides training and education to area students. The company administers scholarships in honor of Hatcher and [[Fannie Flagg]] and operates several youth programs in the summer with visiting guest artists. | ||
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In [[2007]] the organization changed its name to the Red Mountain Theatre Company. The executive director is [[Keith Cromwell]] and the Board of Directors is headed by [[Charlie Haines]]. | In [[2007]] the organization changed its name to the Red Mountain Theatre Company. The executive director is [[Keith Cromwell]] and the Board of Directors is headed by [[Charlie Haines]]. | ||
In [[2008]] the company received an anonymous gift of $250,000 per year for three years to be used as the basis for soliciting matching gifts toward a goal of $1.5 million by the end of [[2011]]. | In [[2008]] the company received an anonymous gift of $250,000 per year for three years to be used as the basis for soliciting matching gifts toward a goal of $1.5 million by the end of [[2011]]. Over the next decade, [[Kathryn Harbert]] led a $25 million capital campaign to help establish the theater company as a regional institution. Major donors included her and her husband, [[Raymond Harbert|Raymond]], and [[Gillian Goodrich|Gillian]] and [[Mike Goodrich]]. Additional funding was provided by [[Medical Properties Trust]], the [[Alabama Power Foundation]], and the [[Alabama State Council on the Arts]]. | ||
==Arts Campus== | |||
In [[2018]] Harbert and attorney [[Tim Segers]] purchased the former [[Huston Biscuit Co. building]] / [[Huston Biscuit Co. building|Absco warehouse]] at 416 [[28th Street South]] with the intent of redeveloping it as an "Arts Campus" anchored by the Red Mountain Theater Company. Surveys of the existing structure convinced them that the redevelopment was impractical, and they eventually sold that property, which was demolished for a new 120-unit apartment complex. | |||
In December [[2019]] ground was broken for the Arts Campus at the site of the former [[Wittichen Supply Co.]] at 1601–1615 [[2nd Avenue South]] in the [[Parkside District]]. [[LIVE Design Group]] was the architect for the project, which was constructed by [[Brasfield & Gorrie]] with management by [[Harbert Realty Services]]. Construction continued through the [[2020 Coronavirus pandemic]] and the new campus opened with limited seating in May [[2021]]. | |||
==Productions== | ==Productions== | ||
* [[2008]]: ''The Full Monty'' (February 21 - March 2), ''Godspell'' (May | * [[2008]]: ''The Full Monty'' (February 21 - March 2), ''Godspell'' (May 8–18) ''Disney's Beauty & the Beast'' (July 10–August 3) and ''Tinyard Hill'' (world premiere, August 7–8) | ||
* [[2007]]: ''The Music Man'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]], ''Always...Patsy Cline'', ''BAT BOY - The Musical'', ''Joyful!'', ''Song & Dance'' with the [[Alabama Ballet]], ''Back to the Dream'', ''Sisters of Swing'', ''Damn Yankees'' (June 26 - July 14), ''The Wizard of Oz'' (July | * [[2007]]: ''The Music Man'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]], ''Always...Patsy Cline'', ''BAT BOY - The Musical'', ''Joyful!'', ''Song & Dance'' with the [[Alabama Ballet]], ''Back to the Dream'', ''Sisters of Swing'', ''Damn Yankees'' (June 26 - July 14), ''The Wizard of Oz'' (July 19–August 5), ''[[Miss Vulcan 1939]]'' (September 8–9), ''Chicago'' (September 27–October 7), and ''Simple Gifts'' (December 6–16) | ||
* [[2006]]: ''Annie Get Your Gun'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]], ''A Grand Night for Singing'', ''A Song for Christmas'', ''Honky Tonk Angels'', ''Doo-Wop'', ''Once on This Island'', and ''OLIVER!'' | * [[2006]]: ''Annie Get Your Gun'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]], ''A Grand Night for Singing'', ''A Song for Christmas'', ''Honky Tonk Angels'', ''Doo-Wop'', ''Once on This Island'', and ''OLIVER!'' | ||
* [[2005]]: ''Carousel'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]] and the [[Alabama Ballet]], ''Ain’t Misbehavin’'', ''Spirit of Christmas'', ''The Look of Love'', ''Almost Heaven'', ''Respect! A Tribute to the Queen of Soul'', ''CATS'', and ''Gypsy'' | * [[2005]]: ''Carousel'' with the [[Alabama Symphony Orchestra]] and the [[Alabama Ballet]], ''Ain’t Misbehavin’'', ''Spirit of Christmas'', ''The Look of Love'', ''Almost Heaven'', ''Respect! A Tribute to the Queen of Soul'', ''CATS'', and ''Gypsy'' | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Harvey, Alec (September 9, 2008) "Birmingham's Red Mountain Theatre Company launches fund drive with $750,000 matching funds gift." | * Harvey, Alec (September 9, 2008) "Birmingham's Red Mountain Theatre Company launches fund drive with $750,000 matching funds gift." {{BN}} | ||
* Colurso, Mary (December 13, 2019) "Red Mountain Theatre Company breaks ground for $25 million arts campus in Birmingham." {{BN}} | |||
* Colurso, Mary (May 8, 2021) "Alabama’s Red Mountain Theatre opens $25 million campus with new concert series." {{BN}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://www.redmountaintheatre.org Red Mountain Theatre Company] website | * [http://www.redmountaintheatre.org Red Mountain Theatre Company] website | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Red Mountain Theatre Company|*]] | ||
[[Category:1979 establishments]] | [[Category:1979 establishments]] | ||
Revision as of 10:30, 12 May 2021
The Red Mountain Theatre Company (RMTC) is a non-profit theater group specializing in musical theater productions.
The company was founded as the Summerfest Musical Theatre in 1979 by UAB drama professor James Hatcher with Birmingham Mayor David Vann and Birmingham Post-Herald entertainment editor Emmett Weaver. It served as a summer stock company that would extend the Town & Gown Theatre's repertoire to musical theater. As a non-profit, the group not only produces a full slate of public performances, but also provides training and education to area students. The company administers scholarships in honor of Hatcher and Fannie Flagg and operates several youth programs in the summer with visiting guest artists.
Over the years it has grown into a year-round professional musical theater with summertime "Mainstage" productions held at the Virginia Samford Theatre and smaller cabaret productions at its own RMTC Cabaret Theatre in the Kress Building at 301 19th Street North.
In 2007 the organization changed its name to the Red Mountain Theatre Company. The executive director is Keith Cromwell and the Board of Directors is headed by Charlie Haines.
In 2008 the company received an anonymous gift of $250,000 per year for three years to be used as the basis for soliciting matching gifts toward a goal of $1.5 million by the end of 2011. Over the next decade, Kathryn Harbert led a $25 million capital campaign to help establish the theater company as a regional institution. Major donors included her and her husband, Raymond, and Gillian and Mike Goodrich. Additional funding was provided by Medical Properties Trust, the Alabama Power Foundation, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Arts Campus
In 2018 Harbert and attorney Tim Segers purchased the former Huston Biscuit Co. building / Absco warehouse at 416 28th Street South with the intent of redeveloping it as an "Arts Campus" anchored by the Red Mountain Theater Company. Surveys of the existing structure convinced them that the redevelopment was impractical, and they eventually sold that property, which was demolished for a new 120-unit apartment complex.
In December 2019 ground was broken for the Arts Campus at the site of the former Wittichen Supply Co. at 1601–1615 2nd Avenue South in the Parkside District. LIVE Design Group was the architect for the project, which was constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie with management by Harbert Realty Services. Construction continued through the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and the new campus opened with limited seating in May 2021.
Productions
- 2008: The Full Monty (February 21 - March 2), Godspell (May 8–18) Disney's Beauty & the Beast (July 10–August 3) and Tinyard Hill (world premiere, August 7–8)
- 2007: The Music Man with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Always...Patsy Cline, BAT BOY - The Musical, Joyful!, Song & Dance with the Alabama Ballet, Back to the Dream, Sisters of Swing, Damn Yankees (June 26 - July 14), The Wizard of Oz (July 19–August 5), Miss Vulcan 1939 (September 8–9), Chicago (September 27–October 7), and Simple Gifts (December 6–16)
- 2006: Annie Get Your Gun with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, A Grand Night for Singing, A Song for Christmas, Honky Tonk Angels, Doo-Wop, Once on This Island, and OLIVER!
- 2005: Carousel with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Alabama Ballet, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Spirit of Christmas, The Look of Love, Almost Heaven, Respect! A Tribute to the Queen of Soul, CATS, and Gypsy
- 2004: Sentimental Journey: The Rosemary Clooney Songbook, Forever Plaid, Beehive, and Annie
- 2003: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Moon River, a Johnny Mercer Cabaret, Footloose, and Smokey Joe’s Café
- 2002: Swingtime Canteen, My Way, a Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Grease, and Always...Patsy Cline
- 2001: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Jerry’s Girls, Mame, and Hello, Dolly!
- 2000: The World Goes ‘Round, big, the musical, and Oklahoma!
- 1999: All Night Strut, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Music Man
- 1998: The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy for You, and Cinderella
- 1997: ShowBoat, Pippin, and The Wizard of Oz
- 1996: Phantom, Guys and Dolls, and Godspell
- 1995: Peter Pan, Damn Yankees, and The King and I
- 1994: OLIVER!, Fiddler on the Roof, and Bye, Bye, Birdie
- 1993: Mame, A Chorus Line, and The Music Man
- 1992: Kismet, Annie, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- 1991: Me and My Girl, Into the Woods, and Big River
- 1990: The Unsinkable Molly Brown, The Pirates of Penzance, and Camelot
- 1989: The Sound of Music, Barnum, and Gypsy
- 1988: West Side Story, The Wiz, and George M!
- 1987: 42nd Street, No, No, Nanette, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- 1986: The King and I, Bells Are Ringing, and South Pacific
- 1985: Kiss Me, Kate, Sugar, and Brigadoon
- 1984: My Fair Lady, The Pajama Game, and Peter Pan
- 1983: The Music Man, Annie, and Barbary Coast
- 1982: ShowBoat, Lil’ Abner, and Guys and Dolls
- 1981: Hello, Dolly!, Bye, Bye, Birdie, and Oklahoma!
- 1980: Meet Me in St Louis, Damn Yankees, and Annie Get Your Gun
- 1979; Mame, The Desert Song, and Carousel
References
- Harvey, Alec (September 9, 2008) "Birmingham's Red Mountain Theatre Company launches fund drive with $750,000 matching funds gift." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (December 13, 2019) "Red Mountain Theatre Company breaks ground for $25 million arts campus in Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Colurso, Mary (May 8, 2021) "Alabama’s Red Mountain Theatre opens $25 million campus with new concert series." The Birmingham News
External links
- Red Mountain Theatre Company website