Mike Cunliffe has seen Theatre Downtown through thick and thin. He’s seen the highest of highs – shows like “After School Special” and “Skanks in a One Horse Town,” not to mention getting married at the theater – and the lowest of lows, including the past five years, when Theatre Downtown was looking for a home. They’ve now found that home, at 3004 4th Ave. South (next to Avenue D Events), and they’re reopening Nov. 1 with Mitch Albom’s “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel.” Cunliffe, a member of Theatre Downtown’s board, is co-directing the show with Jesse Byron. Cunliffe talks about that show, as well as Theatre Downtown’s past and future, in this interview.
Tell me about yourself, MIke.
I’m a “military brat” – my dad was in the Air Force, which meant our family moved frequently. My parents are both from Asheville, North Carolina, and I was born in South Carolina at Shaw AFB, which was my dad’s first assignment after Vietnam. After that, we lived in Alaska, Florida, England, California and, finally, Montgomery, where I attended high school. I always wanted to make movies, but film school was out of reach, so I studied theater and mass communications at Auburn University at Montgomery. Theater came naturally to me, so I’ve been involved with it off and on ever since. After college, I worked at a TV station in Montgomery, making commercials and doing voiceover work. In the early 2000s, I moved to Los Angeles to work as a location scout, but in 2008, a video editing role at Southern Living brought me to Birmingham.
Can you tell me about your Birmingham theater history?
When I arrived in Birmingham in 2008, I didn’t know much about its theater community. At the time, I was focused on filmmaking and performing improv, but that summer, I auditioned for the Extemporaneous Theatre Company and joined the improv troupe, which was auditioning at Birmingham Festival Theatre. It was here that I began to learn about Birmingham’s theater community and met several people who are well-known in the local theater scene, like Doug O’Neil, Debbie Smith and Nick Crawford.
When did you first get involved with Theatre Downtown, and what is your history with the theater?
I first encountered Theatre Downtown while I was performing with ETC. The first production I saw there was “After School Special,” written and directed by Billy Ray Brewton. Immediately, I could tell this theater was not afraid to take huge swings with their shows. That show was loud, offensive, in-your-face and absolutely hysterical. I was certain that their shows might not appeal to all audiences, but they absolutely appealed to me. A little later, I was cast in “Skanks in a One Horse Town” and “Dragula” both also by Billy Ray. I met my wife, Sara, during “Dragula,” and ever since then, Theatre Downtown has held a special place for us. We were married there in October of 2015, and not long after, we both joined the board and have been active members ever since.
How involved were you with the closing of Theatre Downtown, and did you think that would be it for five years?
I was one of the first to learn about the closure of our old space above 5th Ave Antiques. I was working box office when the building owners informed us that it had been sold, and we had just 30 days to vacate. It was a shock. I helped with packing up and moving our equipment into temporary storage in late 2019, with the hope that we could keep producing in temporary spaces until we found a new home. Then COVID hit, bringing everything to a standstill. I didn’t think it would be five years before we had a new home, but that’s how it unfolded.
Tell me about the years Theatre Downtown didn’t have a home. How did y’all keep things going?
It was challenging. We didn’t have a clear road map for keeping a theater company going in the middle of a pandemic. In hindsight, losing the old space was a bit of a silver lining, as it saved us from paying rent on an unusable space. We held Zoom board meetings every few months to stay connected, and we reviewed scripts, keeping an eye on what other theaters were doing. Before the closure, we’d developed a loyal audience and had plans for an exciting 2019/2020 season, which added motivation to find a way forward. Once it was safe to gather again, we held a few fundraisers, and the turning point came when we staged “The Crucible” at Birmingham Festival Theatre in October 2023—it was our first post-COVID show and a big success.
And how was the moment when you finally knew you had a new home?
It was surreal, honestly. After the big success of “The Crucible” in late 2023, we’d been riding a wave of momentum, but then, in early 2024, a potential new space fell through. It was a major setback, and we were all feeling pretty deflated. But we kept up the search, and on a whim, Sara reached out to an old friend in commercial real estate to see if they knew of anything that might work. As luck would have it, the perfect spot had just become available. Within two weeks, we had it secured. It was a huge relief, but we also knew the real work was only just beginning.
What kind of work have y’all done on the space, and what can people expect at the theater?
The landlord handled most of the major construction, like building out the stage, seat risers and tech booth. Our board members and supporters stepped in to help with finishing touches, converting the offices into box office and concessions, expanding bathrooms, painting and setting up our iconic red movie-theater seats. Some minor cosmetic work remains, but we’re ready to start producing shows in our new home.
What about “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel”? Tell me about the show you’re opening with.
“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel” was actually a surprise choice. We were reviewing a stack of scripts for our new space’s debut, and when I read this one, I was hooked. Mitch Albom’s work is typically heartfelt and introspective, but this play has a unique blend of humor and sincerity. Plus, it’s technically straightforward — perfect for our first show in a new space. It’s a warm and accessible production that we hope will connect with both longtime fans and new audiences.
This production features several Theatre Downtown regulars, like Penny Thomas, Chuck Duck, Lesli Johnson, Jonathan Goldstein and Debbie Smith, alongside some newcomers who impressed us at auditions — Isaiah Pierce, Chelsea Knight, Jarod Brumley and Sophie Grace Bell. It’s been inspiring to see them come together to bring this story to life.
What do you hope audiences will get from the show?
I hope audiences leave feeling a renewed sense of optimism. This show carries a message of resilience and hope that we all could use these days. Our cast has done an excellent job of breathing life into the story, and I think people will find moments to laugh, reflect and maybe even feel uplifted.
What’s next for you, and what’s next for the theatre?
For me, I’m looking forward to a well-earned rest once the show wraps! Renovating the space and directing simultaneously was intense. I also have an independent film I’ve been working on, which I’d like to complete next year. For the theater, we have some special events planned in December and aim to announce our 2025 season soon. We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing Theatre Downtown’s legacy in Birmingham.
“Duck Hunter Shoots Angel,” at Theatre Downtown, 3004 4th Ave. South, Nov. 1-17.
