‘Waitress’ brings advocacy center into the spotlight at Red Mountain Theatre

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - On stage at Red Mountain Theatre, a Broadway musical is taking on real-life issues. Waitress tells the story of Jenna; a small-town pie baker stuck in an abusive relationship. But for some people in the audience, that story may feel personal.

“What we love so much about musical theater is it’s an approachable art form,” said Jennifer Jaquess, executive director of Red Mountain Theatre. “That music is the great unifier — brings us all together, but tells important truths. And people are able to see themselves on stage.”

Red Mountain Theatre partnered with One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center, a nonprofit that offers support for survivors of domestic violence. During select performances, representatives from One Place are present in the lobby, ready to connect quietly with anyone who might need help.

“We are so happy and proud to be able to be here to visually represent to people, we are the people that can help you if you need help,” said Rebecca McWilliams, executive director of One Place. “We know statistically that there is going to be at least one person, if not more, in the audience tonight who’s either been affected personally by domestic violence or knows someone who has.”

Jaquess said the show’s heavy themes are balanced by music, humor and moments of joy.

“There’s lots of laughter and fun and song and so it makes it something that’s really approachable and accessible for people to be part of,” she said. “We love partnering with an organization like One Place that can connect to those who need the resources.”

In the musical, Jenna bakes pies to cope with the difficult parts of her life. She eventually finds comfort in the people around her and strength through her child.

“She finds companionship in her coworkers and the customers that come into the diner and ultimately, as she has a small child, that child is really a saving grace that helps her find her strength, find her voice and her confidence to take the next step in her path,” Jaquess said.

McWilliams said survivors reach out for help in different ways, and One Place meets people wherever they are.

“The most important thing we do is make sure that anyone who needs support knows that they’re not alone and that we are here to walk alongside them through whatever their path might look like,” she said. “People are at various stages in surviving domestic violence, and that could look like just trying to figure out what their options are or a civil case where they might be seeking a protection from abuse order.”

She added that the team also works with survivors involved in criminal cases, helping them understand next steps and navigate the system.

“That could look like a civil case or they might be a part of a criminal case, and they need someone to walk alongside them and help them to understand what the next steps are,” she said. “So we are here to support survivors at a very holistic and comprehensive level.”

Both women say this partnership is about more than a single night at the theater.

“Sometimes there are themes that are different and deeper in the work that we really want to bring to life and help people to see themselves, to see others, to connect with people in a way through that story that just helps deepen the human experience,” Jaquess said.

McWilliams said domestic violence is often misunderstood, and the narrative needs to shift.

“Domestic violence is really misunderstood and it’s very complex and it’s not talked about,” she said. “There are thousands of people in our community that are suffering in silence, and we need to be changing the narrative to say this is real. This is out there. People are suffering and the question shouldn’t be why doesn’t he or she or they just leave. The question should be how are we as a community supporting people so that they can escape safely and rebuild their lives.”

That message is what the team at Red Mountain hopes will stick with the audience long after the final bow.

“We want to be an inclusive, welcoming space that helps people feel at home here in the best sense of that word,” Jaquess said. “So I hope they’ll come and have a big night out at the theater.”

Waitress runs through August 10 at Red Mountain Theatre and is recommended for ages 13 and up.

Click or tap here for a link to One Place’s resources

WBRC viewers can get 15% off tickets with discount code WAITRESS15 entered at checkout.