Look out Broadway–Birmingham is ‘comin’
A Hub of Creativity in Birmingham
Birmingham, often referred to as The Magic City, has always boasted a vibrant art scene. Today, it’s making even bigger strides on the national stage. Thanks to the Red Mountain Theatre (RMT), a newly established 60,000 square foot Arts Campus, the city’s capacity and potential to enhance the arts has grown significantly. Surprisingly, the development of this innovative campus began just after the global pandemic, a time when numerous industries including performing arts were in jeopardy.
Undoubtedly, the courage and determination shown to establish the Arts Campus, particularly during a time when the future of performances seemed uncertain, stands as proof of Birmingham’s unwavering belief in and support for the arts. This facility is more than just a venue – it has morphed into a bustling hub of creativity, changing the lives of local artists and young performers.
Interestingly, the arts are a significant economic driver in Birmingham, generating multi-million dollar revenue for the region. Nevertheless, the importance of this artistic facility extends far beyond its economic impact. It is its ability to nurture talent and act as a training ground for budding artists that has truly placed Birmingham in the national spotlight.
Inspiring Success Stories in Birmingham
There are numerous stories of talented professionals who’ve utilized the robust learning environment that Birmingham offers to successfully navigate the show business. Notably, some four industry professionals who’ve benefited from the Red Mountain Theatre’s support were Brandon McCall, Jordan Fisher, Audrey Cardwell, and Abigail Barlow.
Brandon McCall, initially worked for the Mayor’s Division of Youth Services in Birmingham before making his breakthrough as Simba in the Broadway production of Disney’s The Lion King. Jordan Fisher, who discovered RMT during an arts residency in middle school, later starred in Hamilton, Sweeney Todd, Dear Evan Hanson, and now Hadestown, among other Broadway productions.
Meanwhile, Audrey Cardwell went on to play Marion alongside Hugh Jackman in the Broadway revival of The Music Man; and Abigail Barlow flexed her writing talent on Disney’s Moana 2 after carving out a successful career as a solo artist and owning a Grammy award.
All these success stories serve as a testament to the indispensable role that Birmingham plays in the American arts scene. These artists didn’t just hone their craft at the Red Mountain Theatre; they also built a professional theatrical resume, networked with industry professionals, and embarked on the next phase of their artistic journey.
The Magic City Continues Its Artistic Journey
Indeed, the magic that comes from the arts scene in Birmingham is born out of the hard work, opportunity, and networking provided within the city. Besides, the active support given to the arts by the residents and the city itself is a cherry on top. This combination has cultivated a thriving artistic environment leading to impressive successes, and it’s only expected to grow moving forward.
Keith Cromwell, the Executive Director of the Red Mountain Theatre, has put the theatre, and by extension Birmingham, on the national artistic map through his visionary leadership and commitment to artistic excellence. Since its inception in 2003, RMT has been part of the producing team of multiple Tony-nominated and winning musicals like The Bridges of Madison County, Once On This Island, Moulin Rouge and more.