Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Specialties

The Swift Creek Mill Theatre, Inc. produces five to six main stage productions per year with weekly performances resulting in as many as 175 offerings per year. Since 1965 Swift Creek Mill Theatre has continually produced high quality theatre with the finest talent available in central Virginia. Our critically acclaimed productions have seen such performers as Blair Underwood and Steven Furst move on to exceptional careers in film and television and such performers as Gail Howell, Emily Skinner and Betsy Blanks move on to outstanding Broadway credits. Established Broadway performers such as Betty Ann Grove have graced the Mill stage, finding the Mill an exceptional venue to perform as well. Colonial Heights native Joe Doran is the latest Mill alumnus to move on with great promise. Currently involved in numerous New York projects, Joe is widely recognized as a rising star in the area of technical production.

In 1989, the Mill began providing educational and cultural programs for children and youth. Our Children’s Theatre produces three to five youth and children-​oriented productions each theatre season, resulting in 100 to 125 children’s performances per year. At the conclusion of each performance, cast members interact with the children through a question and answer period or meet-​and-​greet. Our original productions have become a rich tradition as a destination for educators seeking to augment instruction with live professional theatre.

History

Established in 1965.

In 1663 the present home of our theatre was erected, as a gristmill by Henry Randolph I. Swift Creek Mill is one of oldest gristmills in the United States. During its first two hundred years, the «Mill» changed hands many times and operated in various capacities ranging from manufacturing to serving as a distillery of corn whiskey. In 1929, operating once again as a gristmill, the property became known officially as the Swift Creek Mill and remained in operation until 1956.

In 1965 the «Mill» was purchased by three local families who shared a dream of bringing live professional theatre to the tri-​cities area. The then vacant and neglected property was refurbished and transformed into a theatre and restaurant that provided a unique and intimate atmosphere for its patrons. For almost fifty years, the «Mill» has been preserved as both an historic landmark and a cultural outlet for the talent of artists, skilled actors, directors, designers and technicians.

Meet the Manager

Tom W.

Manager

Tom is currently the Mill’s Artistic Director, capping a long career as an actor, director, designer and all-​around jack-​of-​all-​trades. He came to Richmond to do a show for five weeks in 1975, and he’s still here. He received the Teresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts in 2003, the Richmond Area Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Stage Magic in 2012, and continues to use his writing and directing talents to bring a full season of mainstage and children’s theatre to the Mill.