Behind The Curtain

Red Mountain Theatre

Welcome to Behind the Curtain at Red Mountain Theatre! Join Roy Lightner, Singh Artistic Director, in the cozy recording studio at Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama. For over forty years, RMT has been the Magic City’s home for musical theatre, and we’re just getting started. Behind the Curtain gives you a peek behind the scenes here at RMT, and a deeper dive into the incredible artists we get to collaborate with. Each episode offers a closer look at the people whose passion and imagination shape the magic we’re making. From directors, to actors, to musicians, to the unsung backstage heroes, you'll get the stories you’ll never hear from your seat in the audience!

Episodes

  1. Ep. 6 - Darion Dewhirst

    APR 7

    Ep. 6 - Darion Dewhirst

    Tune in to this episode of Behind the Curtain at RMT with your host, Red Mountain Theatre Artistic Director Roy Lightner. In this episode, Roy sits down with Darion Dewhirst, who is stepping into his dream role as the title character in Dear Evan Hansen. Marking his final college performance, Darion discusses the unique dynamic of starring in a UAB and Red Mountain Theatre co-production, and the intense stamina required for a massive role where he is off stage for a total of only 60 to 90 seconds. Darion dives deep into the emotional weight of playing Evan, sharing his challenges with leaving the character's intense physical tension and anxiety at the theater. He also opens up about the powerful personal parallels between his own life and the musical, reflecting on his adoption at age 13, his relationship with his chosen family, and how his personal history helps him connect with Evan's journey. Listeners will get an inside look at Darion's rigorous path from training 16 hours a day in New Orleans to finding his vocal confidence in Birmingham. Theatre nerds will especially love the deep dive into the Estill vocal technique, where Darion explains how he manipulates his cricoid cartilage and uses body anchoring to capture Evan's youthful, anxious, and high-belting voice. Plus, stick around for some lighter moments as Darion and Roy face off in a rapid-fire 60-second speed round and a hilarious, unexpectedly difficult game of "Name That Tune".

    28 min
  2. Ep. 5- Kristen Campbell

    APR 7

    Ep. 5- Kristen Campbell

    In this episode of Behind the Curtain at RMT, host Roy Lightner sits down with Birmingham theatrical "royalty", Kristen Campbell, to discuss her deeply emotional and critically acclaimed role as Heidi in Red Mountain Theatre's production of Dear Evan Hansen. Kristen brings immense vulnerability to the conversation, opening up about how her own life experiences, navigating a blended family, divorce, and mental health challenges, make Heidi one of the most personal and relatable roles of her career. Beyond her current performance, Kristen and Roy dive deep into the importance of live theatre in a modern, screen-obsessed culture, highlighting the theatre as one of the last remaining spaces where people can put down their devices, disconnect from the noise, and truly commune with raw humanity. What you'll hear in this episode: The Power of Listening: Why taking the time to "listen first" is essential in a society dominated by social media, where everyone is desperately trying to be heard.Reflecting on a Storied Career: Kristen plays a nostalgic game of "Name That Tune," sharing memories from her iconic roles at RMT, including Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins, Bright Star, Waitress, and teaching herself to play the piano for Once.Touring with Parade: An unforgettable story about booking the first national tour of Parade at 17, working with theatre legends Hal Prince and Jason Robert Brown, and the hilarious way she used to sneak her cell phone onto the stage inside a parasol so her mom could listen to the show.Fun and Games: A fast-paced 60-second speed round where Kristen and Roy flip the script on each other to reveal their favorite things.Tune in for a deeply moving, funny, and inspiring conversation about the responsibility of storytelling, pushing through stage fright, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.

    31 min

About

Welcome to Behind the Curtain at Red Mountain Theatre! Join Roy Lightner, Singh Artistic Director, in the cozy recording studio at Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama. For over forty years, RMT has been the Magic City’s home for musical theatre, and we’re just getting started. Behind the Curtain gives you a peek behind the scenes here at RMT, and a deeper dive into the incredible artists we get to collaborate with. Each episode offers a closer look at the people whose passion and imagination shape the magic we’re making. From directors, to actors, to musicians, to the unsung backstage heroes, you'll get the stories you’ll never hear from your seat in the audience!