Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre

Alumni of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre are literally working across the world.

Cliff Todd is working at the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles.

Nikki Payne Dunn recently gave birth to a baby boy who was named after her husband, Kevin. She performs with Theatre IV in Richmond. Nikki will be teaching drama this summer at the Ferrum College Summer Enrichment Camp.

Emily Rose Tucker continues to direct the Franklin County High School Drama Club and teaches drama and music in the middle school.

Katrina Kozatek is currently doing theatre in Venezuela.

Alison Mitchem is now living in New York City and just finished filming a small role in Law and Order. She also does technical work on Live with Regis and Kelly.

Elise Witcher teaches drama at Benjamin Franklin Middle School here in Franklin County.

Joey Stanley has located his business, Star City Design, in Rocky Mount where he serves clients ranging from politicians to national sports teams.

John Isner continues to work with the Arkansas Children’s Theatre and to do voice over work for several major firms.

Christie and Tony Pica teach in the Yorktown school system, where Christie is chairman of the math department and Tony performs the dual role of drama advisor and football coach.

Willette Thompson recently completed a run of Pecan Tan at the Eighth Street Playhouse in Washington, D.C. where Mayor Williams recently recognized her with a D.C. Arts Grant.

Rex and Jody greet long-time volunteers Ruby Mitchell and Ruth Jones in the new BRDT dining facilities. Photo Credit—Ken McCreedy

We have been reading lots of scripts and have had some conversations with playwrights. Through the direct intervention of Alan Bailey, the author, we have the rights to produce the NEW Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming. You’ll see it and four other productions designed to enlighten and entertain.

While there are several important details yet to be decided about the season, we wanted to bring you this progress report. If you want to get season tickets or individual tickets for Christmas gifts, Melisa will get a voucher out to you.

We are booking Jack Tale shows throughout May and into the summer. If your group would like to have a toe-tapping, fast-paced performance of our Appalachian heritage in your auditorium, classroom, or office, please email Jody directly (jbrown@ferrum.edu). Now is also the time to contact Jody to arrange private performances for your group of 100 or more.

We hope this partial schedule will help you make your plans for April and the summer and that we’ll soon be seeing you again.

The Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre is an outgrowth of the Dramatic and Theatre Arts department at Ferrum College and the Jack Tale Players. Our patrons, area businesses, civic organizations, and Ferrum College provide the many kinds of support necessary to make the BRDT a viable enterprise. Founded in 1978, the BRDT has produced four to five major plays per season as well as a number of other productions. Every year the BRDT also premieres, at least, one original drama.

The BRDT began as an effort to share with Franklin County its past and grew to the present enterprise that celebrates a whole variety of theatrical endeavors. From the beginning, three important principles have guided our work. For the audiences, the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre promises wholesome family entertainment that blends the educational purpose of theatre with the powerful force of drama. For all, the BRDT reminds us that drama began as a religious ceremony and continues best when it keeps the spirit of fellowship and the joys of celebration.

Below are some links to further reading and other sites of interest to the history and philosphy of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre.

Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, Ferrum Students and Faculty in Stage of The Art Magazine

"Wickedly Good" from the Roanoke Times

R. Rex Stephenson's web site

Drama Major at Ferrum College


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