Our Former Executive Director - Ronnie Miller
Ronnie came to Meridian in 1967 to teach theatre at Meridian Community College (MCC) after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a Masters’ Degree in Theatre. He has also studied acting at the National Theatre and King’s College in London. Ronnie taught at Meridian Community College and was chairman of the Communication/Fine Arts Division until his retirement in 2008. He became Executive/Artistic Director at MLT in August 2013
He has directed over 100 plays for MCC, the Meridian Museum of Art’s mystery dinner theatres, and The Company of Angels at the Temple Performing Arts Center and MLT. The last play he directed for The Company of Angels won the Mississippi Theatre Association’s State Play Festival in Columbus and was chosen to compete in the Southeastern Theatre Conference Play Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ronnie has performed in major roles in nine MLT productions over the years. He has served as president and vice president of MTA and has hosted and co-hosted four MTA State Conventions and Play Festivals in Meridian. He has received several local and state theatre awards including MTA’s Cowboy Maloney Award as an outstanding contributor to theatre in Mississippi and the Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award from Mississippi Alliance for Arts Educators in June 2016. He has been involved in several arts organizations in Meridian, including president and stage manager of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, and president and vice president of the Meridian Museum of Art. He has received several community awards including the Meridian Council for the Arts’ Outstanding Arts Educator.
Ronnie believes that Mississippi has some of the best community theatres in the nation and is proud to be associated with one of the best in the state-MLT!
He has directed over 100 plays for MCC, the Meridian Museum of Art’s mystery dinner theatres, and The Company of Angels at the Temple Performing Arts Center and MLT. The last play he directed for The Company of Angels won the Mississippi Theatre Association’s State Play Festival in Columbus and was chosen to compete in the Southeastern Theatre Conference Play Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ronnie has performed in major roles in nine MLT productions over the years. He has served as president and vice president of MTA and has hosted and co-hosted four MTA State Conventions and Play Festivals in Meridian. He has received several local and state theatre awards including MTA’s Cowboy Maloney Award as an outstanding contributor to theatre in Mississippi and the Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award from Mississippi Alliance for Arts Educators in June 2016. He has been involved in several arts organizations in Meridian, including president and stage manager of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, and president and vice president of the Meridian Museum of Art. He has received several community awards including the Meridian Council for the Arts’ Outstanding Arts Educator.
Ronnie believes that Mississippi has some of the best community theatres in the nation and is proud to be associated with one of the best in the state-MLT!
News Archives
From
The Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE)
DRAMA STUDENTS OUTPERFORM NON-ARTS PEERS ON SAT TESTS
The College Entrance Examination Board reported student scores from 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 using data from the Student Description Questionnaire indicating student involvement in various activities, including the arts. As compared to their peers with no arts coursework or involvement:
The College Entrance Examination Board reported student scores from 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 using data from the Student Description Questionnaire indicating student involvement in various activities, including the arts. As compared to their peers with no arts coursework or involvement:
- Students involved in drama performance scored an average of 65.5 points higher on the verbal component and 35.5 points higher in the math component of the SAT
- Students who took courses in drama study or appreciation scored, on average, 55 points higher on verbal and 26 points higher on math than their non-arts classmates.
- In 2005, students involved in drama performance outscored the national average SAT score by 35 points on the verbal portion and 24 points on the math section
- Read more here.
Pigford honored with legislative resolution March 25, 2013
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Snowden
House Concurrent Resolution 78(As Adopted by House and Senate)A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MERIDIAN'S PERFORMING ARTS LEGEND, JAMES ADAIR "JIMMY" PIGFORD, AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, on Monday, February 4, 2013, the City of Meridian and the State of Mississippi lost one of its stars, a wonderful friend, world-class theatre director, and true ambassador for this city and state with the loss of James Adair "Jimmy" Pigford; and
WHEREAS, born on September 2, 1932, to J.A. and Matalara Pigford, Jimmy Pigford was educated in the Meridian Public School System and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1956 before traveling to Hollywood, California, with a friend who was interested in getting a screen test; and
WHEREAS, when meeting Jimmy, they asked him to give a screen test also, and he was accepted, beginning a notable stage and screen career including appearances in 30 television shows including "The Millionaire," "Burns and Allen," "Father Knows Best" and "West Point Story," and including movie performances in "The Rebel," "Tea and Sympathy" and "Shake, Rattle and Rock"; and WHEREAS, during this time, he was selected to represent the State of Mississippi and the United States of America at the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958, which he credited as one of the highlights of his life; and
WHEREAS, returning to Meridian due to his mother's failing health, Jimmy retained a role at the Meridian Little Theatre in 1960 where he worked as a volunteer, casting, director, board president, and ultimately was hired as Meridian Little Theatre's full-time resident director in 1965; and
WHEREAS, he directed over 200 plays, and one of his earliest efforts to advance the theatre was his formation of the "First Nighters" patron group, and it was also under his leadership and guidance that the Ladies Guild was organized in 1968; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, Jimmy and Mrs. Roland Kimbrell organized the Youth Division of Meridian Little Theatre, furthering his career-long commitment to young people that also proved the inspiration in 1996 for the inauguration of an annual summer youth workshop for children; and
WHEREAS, he has served as President of the Mississippi Community Theatre Association and, as Chairman of the 1968-1969 Mississippi State Theatre Convention, was named to the Governor's Advisory Panel for the Performing Arts in Mississippi in 1970, was honored with the prestigious Excellence in Arts award from the Meridian Council for the Arts in 1994, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Community Involvement for outstanding contributions in the world of art and entertainment, and he received the Meridian Star award for Man of the Year in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Meridian Little Theatre was honored in 2006 and 2007 by Mississippi Magazine polls as the Best Live Theatre in Mississippi, thanks in large measure to the talent and dedication of Jimmy Pigford; and
WHEREAS, one of Jimmy's biggest challenges came with the devastating fire that completely destroyed the 52nd Street Playhouse on December 16, 1972, yet he insisted that Meridian Little Theatre not miss a single production, holding performances in various host auditoriums until a new playhouse was constructed; and
WHEREAS, the new playhouse was completed for the 1976-1977 season with a state-of-the-art 400-seat facility, which bears the distinctive imprint of Director Jimmy Pigford with the naming of the auditorium in his honor; and
WHEREAS, his entire professional life has been dedicated to his love of the theatrical arts, and during Jimmy Pigford's leadership the theatre's season membership grew from 382 to more than 2000, a number still approached even in today's economy; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commemorate such outstanding Mississippians as Jimmy Pigford, whose life is truly a testament to the maxim that "the footprints we leave behind are as important as the paths we will follow," and his legacy lives on today through the continued success of Meridian Little Theatre and in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him best as well as the countless lives he impacted with his directorial talent, business acumen, genuine concern for bettering his community, and generous and caring spirit:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of James Adair "Jimmy" Pigford of Meridian, Mississippi, and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Jimmy Pigford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Snowden
House Concurrent Resolution 78(As Adopted by House and Senate)A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MERIDIAN'S PERFORMING ARTS LEGEND, JAMES ADAIR "JIMMY" PIGFORD, AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, on Monday, February 4, 2013, the City of Meridian and the State of Mississippi lost one of its stars, a wonderful friend, world-class theatre director, and true ambassador for this city and state with the loss of James Adair "Jimmy" Pigford; and
WHEREAS, born on September 2, 1932, to J.A. and Matalara Pigford, Jimmy Pigford was educated in the Meridian Public School System and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1956 before traveling to Hollywood, California, with a friend who was interested in getting a screen test; and
WHEREAS, when meeting Jimmy, they asked him to give a screen test also, and he was accepted, beginning a notable stage and screen career including appearances in 30 television shows including "The Millionaire," "Burns and Allen," "Father Knows Best" and "West Point Story," and including movie performances in "The Rebel," "Tea and Sympathy" and "Shake, Rattle and Rock"; and WHEREAS, during this time, he was selected to represent the State of Mississippi and the United States of America at the World's Fair in Brussels, Belgium, in 1958, which he credited as one of the highlights of his life; and
WHEREAS, returning to Meridian due to his mother's failing health, Jimmy retained a role at the Meridian Little Theatre in 1960 where he worked as a volunteer, casting, director, board president, and ultimately was hired as Meridian Little Theatre's full-time resident director in 1965; and
WHEREAS, he directed over 200 plays, and one of his earliest efforts to advance the theatre was his formation of the "First Nighters" patron group, and it was also under his leadership and guidance that the Ladies Guild was organized in 1968; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, Jimmy and Mrs. Roland Kimbrell organized the Youth Division of Meridian Little Theatre, furthering his career-long commitment to young people that also proved the inspiration in 1996 for the inauguration of an annual summer youth workshop for children; and
WHEREAS, he has served as President of the Mississippi Community Theatre Association and, as Chairman of the 1968-1969 Mississippi State Theatre Convention, was named to the Governor's Advisory Panel for the Performing Arts in Mississippi in 1970, was honored with the prestigious Excellence in Arts award from the Meridian Council for the Arts in 1994, received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Community Involvement for outstanding contributions in the world of art and entertainment, and he received the Meridian Star award for Man of the Year in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Meridian Little Theatre was honored in 2006 and 2007 by Mississippi Magazine polls as the Best Live Theatre in Mississippi, thanks in large measure to the talent and dedication of Jimmy Pigford; and
WHEREAS, one of Jimmy's biggest challenges came with the devastating fire that completely destroyed the 52nd Street Playhouse on December 16, 1972, yet he insisted that Meridian Little Theatre not miss a single production, holding performances in various host auditoriums until a new playhouse was constructed; and
WHEREAS, the new playhouse was completed for the 1976-1977 season with a state-of-the-art 400-seat facility, which bears the distinctive imprint of Director Jimmy Pigford with the naming of the auditorium in his honor; and
WHEREAS, his entire professional life has been dedicated to his love of the theatrical arts, and during Jimmy Pigford's leadership the theatre's season membership grew from 382 to more than 2000, a number still approached even in today's economy; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commemorate such outstanding Mississippians as Jimmy Pigford, whose life is truly a testament to the maxim that "the footprints we leave behind are as important as the paths we will follow," and his legacy lives on today through the continued success of Meridian Little Theatre and in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him best as well as the countless lives he impacted with his directorial talent, business acumen, genuine concern for bettering his community, and generous and caring spirit:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the life and legacy of James Adair "Jimmy" Pigford of Meridian, Mississippi, and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Jimmy Pigford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
The CenterStage production, “Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum,” was presented at The Meridian Little Theatre the week of January 14, 2013.
MERIDIAN — “Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum,” the inaugural production of CenterStage, the youth division of Meridian Little Theatre, will be presented four times each day Jan. 14-18 for the children of Meridian and surrounding area schools. There will also be two performances on Saturday, Jan. 19, for the general public. Show times are 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Reserved seat tickets for these two shows are $15 for adults and $12 for school age children, and are available now at the MLT Box Office.
In this popular version of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” the giant is making life pretty miserable for Jack, his mother and the entire kingdom. Jack is even forced to sell his beloved cow, Miss Priss, for some magic beans. Brave Jack climbs up the beanstalk and into the castle, where he fights the giant, and the big, bad Troll. By the end of the special tale the cow is returned, the chicken learns to lay golden eggs and the good life returns to the kingdom. The lively score will have both young and old humming the catchy tunes.
The cast features school age students of all ages from Meridian and the surrounding area. The title role of Jack is played by Jackson Palmer. His mother is portrayed by Addison Garrett. Jack’s siblings are Sam Blanton and Angeline Graham. The Giant is Danny Miller, and the Troll is Steven Miller.
The Chicken, who hasn’t yet laid a golden egg, is Bianca Clark.
Princess Tulip, who is collecting gold to ransom her mother, Good Queen Violet, is played by Lillie Grace Langston. Queen Violet is Chloe Jacob.
Attempting to extract a bag of gold for the queen’s ransom are John Alex Nunnery and Joel DeVries, who are the High Sheriff and his Deputy.
Village Women are Audrey Sanders, Hannah Cooper, Jade Matfey, Jy’Terria Gates, Kaitlyn Clayton, Kaitlyn Holloway, Kelsey Wilson, Logan Hulvey, Mary Griffin Jackson, and Zion Roberts.
Residents of the Giant’s Castle high in the clouds include Chloe McKelvaine as the Housekeeper and Hannah Mae Sowell as the Cook. They are assisted by Kitchen Girls, played by Virginia White, Maci Manning and Emma Grace Alexander.
The Cook, Housekeeper and Kitchen Girls are assisted in their food preparations by the Wiggle Waggle Dancers. This groups includes Allison Beard, Annalyssa King, Emma Grace Johnson, Emma Kate Sowell, Emma Watson, Kierstin Lay, LaTia’ Powe, Macy Campbell, Madilynn Stevens, Sha’nya Davis and Summer Stennis.
The story of Jack and the Beanstalk would not be complete without a bean seller. Ambreah Waters is the Bean Seller.
Assisting the Bean Seller are the Bean Seller Dancers. They are Anne Marie Talley, Ashley Walker, Emilie Byers, Emma Grace Smiley, Hannah Millar, Jordan Faith Jones, Kayli Warren, Marly Archie, Nina Hay, Sara Collier and Zoie McClure.
Good Things Dancers, who help Jack with his statement that “good things are bound to happen,” are Anyla Allen, Cameron Jacob, Cristina Montealegre, Elanor Triplett, Isabella McGee, Kiara Malone, Lauren Broome, Mackenlee Snowden, Mallory Claire Leake, Shelby Robison, and Taylor Johnson.
Miss Priss, the cow, has her posse of Cowboy Dancers. They are Avante Clark, Eli Lewis, Elijah Smiley, Luke Hay, Michael Tvarkunas, Owen Smith, Paden Avera and Trey Murphy.
Tumbling around in the Giant’s kitchen are the Run, Jack Run Tumblers. They are Anne-Leigh Freeman, Atasia Horn, Chandler Hogan, Heidi Warlock, Jalyn Branch, Katie Lank, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Madison Carter, McKinley Maxwell, and Olivia Avera.
The production, sponsored by Marty and Linda Davidson, is under the direction of Sidney Covington, David Benson, Jonah Murphy, Melanie Walton, and Carol Sue Wiggins.
In this popular version of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” the giant is making life pretty miserable for Jack, his mother and the entire kingdom. Jack is even forced to sell his beloved cow, Miss Priss, for some magic beans. Brave Jack climbs up the beanstalk and into the castle, where he fights the giant, and the big, bad Troll. By the end of the special tale the cow is returned, the chicken learns to lay golden eggs and the good life returns to the kingdom. The lively score will have both young and old humming the catchy tunes.
The cast features school age students of all ages from Meridian and the surrounding area. The title role of Jack is played by Jackson Palmer. His mother is portrayed by Addison Garrett. Jack’s siblings are Sam Blanton and Angeline Graham. The Giant is Danny Miller, and the Troll is Steven Miller.
The Chicken, who hasn’t yet laid a golden egg, is Bianca Clark.
Princess Tulip, who is collecting gold to ransom her mother, Good Queen Violet, is played by Lillie Grace Langston. Queen Violet is Chloe Jacob.
Attempting to extract a bag of gold for the queen’s ransom are John Alex Nunnery and Joel DeVries, who are the High Sheriff and his Deputy.
Village Women are Audrey Sanders, Hannah Cooper, Jade Matfey, Jy’Terria Gates, Kaitlyn Clayton, Kaitlyn Holloway, Kelsey Wilson, Logan Hulvey, Mary Griffin Jackson, and Zion Roberts.
Residents of the Giant’s Castle high in the clouds include Chloe McKelvaine as the Housekeeper and Hannah Mae Sowell as the Cook. They are assisted by Kitchen Girls, played by Virginia White, Maci Manning and Emma Grace Alexander.
The Cook, Housekeeper and Kitchen Girls are assisted in their food preparations by the Wiggle Waggle Dancers. This groups includes Allison Beard, Annalyssa King, Emma Grace Johnson, Emma Kate Sowell, Emma Watson, Kierstin Lay, LaTia’ Powe, Macy Campbell, Madilynn Stevens, Sha’nya Davis and Summer Stennis.
The story of Jack and the Beanstalk would not be complete without a bean seller. Ambreah Waters is the Bean Seller.
Assisting the Bean Seller are the Bean Seller Dancers. They are Anne Marie Talley, Ashley Walker, Emilie Byers, Emma Grace Smiley, Hannah Millar, Jordan Faith Jones, Kayli Warren, Marly Archie, Nina Hay, Sara Collier and Zoie McClure.
Good Things Dancers, who help Jack with his statement that “good things are bound to happen,” are Anyla Allen, Cameron Jacob, Cristina Montealegre, Elanor Triplett, Isabella McGee, Kiara Malone, Lauren Broome, Mackenlee Snowden, Mallory Claire Leake, Shelby Robison, and Taylor Johnson.
Miss Priss, the cow, has her posse of Cowboy Dancers. They are Avante Clark, Eli Lewis, Elijah Smiley, Luke Hay, Michael Tvarkunas, Owen Smith, Paden Avera and Trey Murphy.
Tumbling around in the Giant’s kitchen are the Run, Jack Run Tumblers. They are Anne-Leigh Freeman, Atasia Horn, Chandler Hogan, Heidi Warlock, Jalyn Branch, Katie Lank, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Madison Carter, McKinley Maxwell, and Olivia Avera.
The production, sponsored by Marty and Linda Davidson, is under the direction of Sidney Covington, David Benson, Jonah Murphy, Melanie Walton, and Carol Sue Wiggins.