Theatrics and performing arts will soon take the stage in Maynardville. A local Union County native, Michael Bailey, brings his passion of the arts along with years of experience to the county with the introduction of Thunder Road Theatre.
Bailey, age 22, has many theater productions under his belt with several major fundraisers, such as last year’s T1D: Zombie Edition at Wilson Park for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He began in theater as early as elementary school and it soon became something he loved dearly.
He shares, “I’ve been in thirteen shows, ranging from children’s plays to more serious, adult-oriented plays. I would have to say that the most interesting experience I’ve had is to see how a play can start from nothing and evolve into something great, such as helping build a stage. Not many people realize how much work can actually go into a single play.”
Bailey has an appetite for theater and has put years of thought into bringing it to his hometown. He says that this is something he has always wanted to do, and he decided it was time to stop thinking and start doing. Although the planning has only been in action for a few months, an abundance of effort and hours have been invested. The company was announced to the public in October, auditions were held in early November, and the first showing is scheduled for February.
Bailey says that the performances will adhere to all tastes. The goal is that all types of folks from Union and surrounding counties will be provided with a pleasant venue hosting enjoyable shows for just another taste of local entertainment. Look forward to comedic performances as well as a possibility of some dramas later on. As for now, three shows are slated for 2020: Barefoot in the Park, Steel Magnolias, and Arsenic and Old Lace.
Currently, Thunder Road Theatre is operating at Miller’s Chapel United Methodist Church, across from McDonald’s in Maynardville. In the long term, there are some ideas to build a theater building in Union County. Along with Bailey, the founder of the business, the theater operates with a board consisting of Chantay Collins, Tina Hopkins, Byron Kuehn, Cory Stanford, and Bailey himself. Bailey says overall they want to “reach out to as many people as we possibly can to give them something positive to look forward to. We’d love to be well known in East Tennessee.”
For more information, and to stay up to date on the plans and progress of the theater, follow “Thunder Road Theatre Company” on Facebook.