Today we’d like to introduce you to Roy Mullin.
Hi Roy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I did a fair amount of acting in high school and early college. I had not been on stage in 40 years and realized my kids had never seen me on stage. Added that to my bucket list. Had the good fortune to play the lead in A Man For All Seasons about ten years ago. During that experience, I realized how rapidly Austin was losing venues for live theater. I had enough hubris and business background to think we could create a sustainable model for theater. Much of the cast of Man For All Seasons banded together. Nine years later we claimed a permanent home. We have it half right. We have a venue. Still working on the sustainable part. Certainly some bumps along the way converting a wedding venue into a black box theater. We consider it a community barn raising with lots of members of the larger theater community bringing their time and talents to help make the space better and better. There is a “threading the needle” aspect to what we are trying to accomplish. We want a space that is affordable for niche arts and underserved communities that produce amazing art. At the same time we have to have ticket prices that can introduce a wide audience to the magic of live performance art. Affordable space for the producers and affordable ticket prices while still paying the bills. We believe art makes a difference. Art can engage a dialogue and build community. Art can challenge and heal and inspire. We hope we are creating such a space.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not smooth at all. We did not start with enough money to complete the conversion from wedding venue to black box with lights, sound, and seats. As a result some of the earliest companies to use the space had to overcome the shortcomings of a space still in transition. We wanted to start “good” and get better. We did not start “good enough” for the visiting companies to have a great experience. We have learned from that in part by soliciting feedback from the groups that traveled the bumpy road with us. We took it seriously. We have made significant progress and will continue to make the space and the experience better and better. We start with some significant advantages. The space has high ceilings; a full bar; and parking.
Repeat that last bit. How many venues in Austin come with sufficient parking? It is a black box which means lots of flexibility in creating the space needed to showcase the producers vision. Large back stage area; large rehearsal area; and large dressing room.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The part we are the proudest of is creating art that challenges and inspires and builds community. This is Stage Austin’s venue and our productions have won numerous awards. Beyond that we want to provide space for art that is not necessarily “main stream”. We have hosted Deaf Austin Theater; African American dance groups; world premier of new work by local award winning playwrights; and plan to keep extending our reach.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The depth of talent that Austin has. Not just the on stage performers with resumes that include professional touring and international training, but all the top tier world class talent for light and sound design and the myriad of other skills it takes to produce top tier art. The talent we have in Austin can stand with any in this country. I invite you to come see.
Pricing:
- Plays $25 – $35
- Musicals $35 – $45
- Student and senior pricing available
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thestageaustin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stageaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stageaustin/
- Twitter: https://x.com/thestageaustin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmumJUp8jEBnvXn0_afG0cg
