In this episode of Behind the Curtain at RMT, host Roy Lightner sits down with Birmingham theatrical "royalty", Kristen Campbell, to discuss her deeply emotional and critically acclaimed role as Heidi in Red Mountain Theatre's production of Dear Evan Hansen.

Kristen brings immense vulnerability to the conversation, opening up about how her own life experiences, navigating a blended family, divorce, and mental health challenges, make Heidi one of the most personal and relatable roles of her career. Beyond her current performance, Kristen and Roy dive deep into the importance of live theatre in a modern, screen-obsessed culture, highlighting the theatre as one of the last remaining spaces where people can put down their devices, disconnect from the noise, and truly commune with raw humanity.

What you'll hear in this episode:

• The Power of Listening: Why taking the time to "listen first" is essential in a society dominated by social media, where everyone is desperately trying to be heard.
• Reflecting on a Storied Career: Kristen plays a nostalgic game of "Name That Tune," sharing memories from her iconic roles at RMT, including Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins, Bright Star, Waitress, and teaching herself to play the piano for Once.
• Touring with Parade: An unforgettable story about booking the first national tour of Parade at 17, working with theatre legends Hal Prince and Jason Robert Brown, and the hilarious way she used to sneak her cell phone onto the stage inside a parasol so her mom could listen to the show.
• Fun and Games: A fast-paced 60-second speed round where Kristen and Roy flip the script on each other to reveal their favorite things.

Tune in for a deeply moving, funny, and inspiring conversation about the responsibility of storytelling, pushing through stage fright, and the pursuit of artistic excellence.