Amber Voeller (in red) and the cast of "Chrysalis" take a bow.

The Emergence of a Star at Hollins Theatre

Gwyneth Strope

Most often, when we talk of stars in the theatre, we are referring to actors, and Hollins Theatre's Winter Festival of New Works has plenty of those. But stealing the two shows of this year's festival are Playwrights Gwyneth Strope and Rachel Graf Evans.

We talked about Ms. Evans last week in the review of "Randi & Roxanne" and this week, it's Roanoker and Hollins master's grad Ms. Strope's turn. She is the producing manager of the Hollins Theatre Institute. We will note in passing that Ms. Strope is the daughter of Michael Mansfield (who produces "Chrysalis") and actor Amanda Mansfield, often considered the first family of Roanoke live theater. Ms. Strope's writing and acting only enhance that designation. (She is also an accomplished visual artist.)

"Chrysalis" is a sophisticated journey into a young woman's memory, which she wants to understand. Mirage, played brilliantly by professional actor Amber Voeller, meets her past head-on with courage and determination and the result is a dark story well worth watching and one that foretells an accomplished future for Ms. Strope. 

This is a play that stretches everybody involved and Mr. Mansfield's direction is especially equal to the material. The acting is universally impressive, featuring Salem High senior Kathryn Gibson, Hollins Master's student Alex Voeller, Christian Watts, Kelly Anglim of Roanoke, 7th grader Megan Corbett and theater veteran David Colatosti. 

Hollins theatre major Kit Hathcock and Ohio University student Madeline Herbert take lighting to the level of a strong character.  

Last night's performance was an invitation-only (and flawless) final dress rehearsal. The play runs tonight through Jan. 28 at 7:30 in the evenings and 2 p.m. Sunday. Phone 540-362-6517 for tickets ($10).

Ginger Poole Leaving Mill Mountain Theatre

 I am truly sad to see Ginger Poole leave Mill Mountain Theatre as its artistic director. She and I have worked together for quite a few years trying to let people know what a treasure MMT and Ginger are for the entire region. 

I am fond of her both personally and professionally and have appreciated the professionalism and the creativity she has brought to the position for years. Hers is a significant loss, but if she remains in the Roanoke Valley, we will all be richer for her presence.

Here is MMT's press release:

After a remarkable tenure with Mill Mountain Theatre, Ginger Poole will take her final bow as producing artistic director during the 60th anniversary season. 

With an impressive season of productions planned in 2024, combined with the theatre's vibrancy, Poole says this is the time to begin searching for her replacement. 

"I came to Roanoke 18 years ago as an acor and was asked back to perform and choreograph in the MainStage seasons," she says. "This turned into an opportunity to join MMT as its director of education. Little did I know how much that experience would forever change my life. This theatre became my home and the place that I made my life. While leaving my role here is truly bittersweet, MMT remains part of who I am."

During her tenure, Poole has had to revive the theatre twice. In 2009, Poole reinvigorated the theatre after it stopped producing due to financial struggles. Poole continued to keep the doors open with classes and a holiday show once a year for four years and was the only fulltime employee. 

Covid-19 put Mill Mountain Theatre in another precarious situation in 2020. Poole navigated the theatre through post-pandemic struggles and once again revitalized the theatre to its present day health. 

"The theatre has thrived under Ginger's leadership," says past president Cynthia Lawrence. "She balances artistic excellence with fiscal responsibility and approaches every decision with the long-term sustainability of Mill Mountain top of mind. While we are saddened by her departure, we are grateful to her and support her decision wholeheartedly. We will conduct a thorough national search and will be thoughtful about who we choose as her successor."

Says Bill Lee, board president of MMT, "Ginger gave this theatre life in times when it would have been easier to simply close the doors. She had a vision and worked effortlessly to ensure that her vision became a reality. We've all benefitted from here perseverance. She will leave behind enormous shoes to fill."

Poole has been in the industry for 35 years (working for years at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina and as an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader and choreographer) and says she is excited to explore other opportunities within the community, while continuing to support the artistic and cultural growth in Roanoke.

The search committee, with which Poole will work until she is replaced, includes Nancy Agee, Jack Avis (Poole's husband), N.L. Bishop, Nancy Gray, Lawrence (who will be chairwoman) and Macel Janoschka. The committee will search nationally.

 

The cast of Randi & Roxanne salutes the crew.

Hollins Flexes Its Theatrical Muscles Again

With Rachel Graf Evans' "Randi & Roxanne," which finished a brief run Sunday in Hollins' Winter Festival of New Works, the university continues to hold its ground as, not only the place to learn theatre, but also one of the better theatrical experiences in the region.

The award-winning Evans, who holds a Hollins master's degree in fine arts, handed director Sophia Menconi, a freelance director from D.C., a complex, often-difficult, sometimes touching, occasionally hilarious script to be produced with student actors. And it turned out beautifully. Every aspect--from the burgundy clothing, to the finely-tuned lighting, to the backstage crew, to the marvelous acting--worked beautifully, professionally. 

The play, something of a Cyrano de Bergerac derivative at its core, actually has three plotlines: a confused love story, a story of sports competition and a story of internal news ambition. Suffice it to say they overlap and dovetail conveniently in the end, but along the way, we were treated to some first-class acting and interpretation of the writer's intent. Standing out in a big cast were the non-stop-talking Sadie McGuire, the flexible and very funny El Rowland and the hateful Elani Spencer. Each played her part to the maximum and they supported the primary love story, the softball story and the newspaper line, which might have been diminished without them. 

Hollins is ranked high among colleges/universities in the U.S. with its theatre arts department and this show gives you an inside glance of just why. And if you're wondering why my grandgirl wants to eventually wind up at Hollins studying theatre, this play and next week's "Chrysallis," written by Roanoker and Hollins master's grad Gwenyth Strope will leave you with no questions at all.