Bio: Shay Mullins is a 20 year old lady that just recently moved to Roanoke from Franklin County. She’s been doing theatre since she was in the 7th grade and realized that she had a hunger for it and wanted more. By the time she graduated high school Shay had been a part of several plays and theatre competitions, many of which were for Ferrum College’s One Act Competition. She has received honorable mention for the performance in Story Book Theatre, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for directing several scene study and improv performances. Last fall she was part of Rocky Mount’s community theatre, and is excited to be a part of Roanoke’s. Shay plans on going to school for photography and sign language, and hopes to one day be a flight attendant.

Why Theatre?
It just feels right.

How did you get involved in Studio Roanoke?
I went to No Shame about 4 months ago and met Jess Hilden and Katie Ashe who told me that Studio Roanoke is always looking for help, so I came back the next night to see Ant Farm, filled out a volunteer form, and here I am.

What’s the best theatre experience you’ve had?
Getting to act and direct at the same time.

The worst?
Auditioning for a musical while I had a cold.

What’s your favorite thing about Studio Roanoke?
Their devotion to new plays and local artists. I feel like I’m part of an artistic revolution.

Least favorite?
Lack of a restroom upstairs.

If you could choose any play at any theatre, what would you most like to work on?
I don’t know. It’s a toss up between Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Rocky Horror, Avenue Q, and Hamlet. I have no idea.

What do you hope people say about you?
The girl is adorable and talented. She should be somewhere other than Roanoke.

What do you think we say about you?
Who is that Emo girl with the glasses, and why is she here?

What we actually think of Shay is…
That she is pretty much indespensible. We're very glad that she struck up that conversation with Jess and came to see Ant Farm. She's been so valuable supporting our office operations and being a welcoming face for our patrons, and there is no way we could have gotten Rosalee was Here up and running without her work as Stage Manager for that show. She is living proof that showing up is one of the most important parts of belonging to a community and we never wonder why she's here.

When she did some acting for us in the festival of student readings this summer, we knew that we had to find her a larger role on the stage in a hurry and she hasn't disappointed. Her double roles in Elvis Blossom demonstrated that she is every bit as talented on stage as she is behind the scenes. We're looking forward to pairing her with director Cheryl Snodgrass again in October when Shay takes up the clipboard and stop watch as Stage Manager for Donnie and the Monsters. Look for her in the Lunchbox reading on October 14th.

Oh, and we might not have a bathroom upstairs any time soon, but we're working on finding other ways to keep our volunteers volunteering. We couldn't do what we do without their hard work and enthusiastic support. Thanks, Shay!

We're always looking for volunteers. If you would like to get involved, just stop by and tell us! If you aren't in the neighborhood, drop us a line at 540-343-3054 to tell us you want to help and we'll suggest some ways to get you started. Or, you can email us at info@studioroanoke.org.