Broadway Center for the Arts is an arts center and school based in Maryville, one that makes it their mission to encourage young people to pursue their talents and abilities in todays’ theatrical realms. BCA’s website defines the company’s goal is to “inspire creativity, grow confidence, and foster an appreciation for the arts in an inclusive environment.”
The center is now in the process of preparing their biggest and most elaborate production yet, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” being staged at the Clayton Center for the Arts July 26-28.
Although the company declined to specify the specific cost of the production, it will be its most expensive effort yet. It’s ambitious in other ways as well.
“When I say it’s our biggest show yet ... I’m not kidding,” Rader said. “We have over 80 actors in this cast, including college theater students and some local adult actors. We are building huge sets to fill that incredible stage, and we have a team of seamstresses designing costumes that are going to be fabulous.”
Rader went on to say that while BCA worked with the Clayton Center on previous occasions, this production reaches a new plateau. “We co-produced ‘Oliver!’ with the Maryville College Theater Department earlier this year,” she said. “That show took place in the Nutt Theater. Plus, we also produced shows in the Flex theater at the Clayton Center. However, this is the first time we’ve produced a show independently in this specific space. The stage in the Nutt is incredible and it seats over 1,000 patrons. Our community is so lucky to have this facility, and it has always been a dream of ours to be able to produce a show in this amazing space.”
The move to the larger stage was necessitated by the fact that the earlier productions in the Flex theater — “Les Miserables” in 2022 and “Disney’s Newsies” in 2023 — both sold out, forcing them to turn some patrons away. “After the response to ‘Newsies’ last year, we decided that the time may be right for us to consider moving to a larger space,” Rader continued. “But a larger space means larger sets, more props, and of course bigger expenses.”
Rader said that the expenses in particular were an element that had to be carefully considered.
“Producing a show of this size is a tremendous expense,” she said. “Unless you’re in the theater world, most people don’t think about licensing, venue rental, insurance, props, sets, and of course costuming a cast of this size. It costs tens of thousands of dollars and is very daunting for a community theater group like us. We are fortunate that many local businesses have come alongside us to help. LeConte Wealth Management is our presenting sponsor for the entire run and there are many other companies who are sponsoring other aspects of the show, including the ‘Meet and Greet’ with the cast, as well as photo op spots in the lobby following every show. We are so grateful for the commitment of area businesses to support the arts.”
There were other factors to consider as well. “We had close to 160 requests for auditions for this show, so auditions and casting was really challenging,” Rader said. “So from a casting perspective, this is the largest production we’ve ever tackled as well. This is the full Broadway version, which allows us to cast actors of all ages rather than having a cut-off of 18 years-olds. It’s allowed us to cast several BCA Alumni, and it’s been incredibly fun to have them back and to see how they’ve grown since studying at their various programs.”
The cast includes Keira Corcoran, a soon to be Musical Theatre (BFA) major at Missouri State University, in the role of “Ariel”; Kyler Anderson, a recent graduate of Maryville High School as “Prince Eric”; Laura Taliaferro, who earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Music Education from Carson-Newman University and The University of Tennessee, respectively, as “Ursula”; and Matt Mimbs, a BM/minor in Theatre from Carson Newman University and Music Director at 2nd Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, as “King Triton.”
Founded in 2019, BCA originally had approximately 40 young people taking part in its first show. Today, they can count over 300 students in its various programs, including the company’s annual productions, a junior theater festival team, classes, the Broadway with BCA program, and a summer camp.
The production with be directed by Jackson Rader, with music direction by Laura Taliaferro. Hannah Barnett is credited as Costume Designer, while BCA Artistic Director Dustin Rader oversaw the set design.
Rader also credited a number of individuals who helped behind the scenes. “While there are over 80 cast members in this production, it’s the small army of volunteers whose work makes this show come to life,” she said. “We have parents and community volunteers doing everything from building sets and props, to sewing costumes and helping spread the word about the show by putting posters around town. Plus we are thrilled to be working with the amazing team at the Clayton Center for the Arts for all of the technical components of this show that will make the magic truly come to life on stage when the curtain goes up.”
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