Mount Carmel Academy Receives $10,000 Grant for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"

Mount Carmel Academy was selected to receive a $10,000 grant to perform the musical “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” The only school from Louisiana chosen, Mount Carmel is one of 26 schools from around the country to receive this grant from the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), The Music Man Foundation (TMMF), and Music Theatre International (MTI).

The Unsinkable Molly Brown tells the inspiring rags-to-riches love story of Margaret “Molly” Brown — a turn-of-the-century hero, Titanic survivor, and fierce advocate for women’s rights, labor rights, and immigration reform. Alongside her husband, Johnny Brown, who owned one of the most prosperous mines in the U.S. at the time, Molly’s story celebrates her true spirit as an underdog. Featuring music and lyrics by the legendary Meredith Willson, this recently revitalized version includes an updated script and additional lyrics by Tony-nominated writer Dick Scanlan.

Mount Carmel Academy's theater club, STK (short for "Shinto Torii Kabuki," meaning "God's Gateway to the Theater"), plans to use this opportunity to not only showcase exceptional musical theater but also to embody Molly’s spirit to help others. During the show’s run, they will host a food drive to collect non-perishable items for donation to Second Harvest Food Bank. They will also create a community awareness display to highlight local organizations dedicated to addressing food insecurity, a reminder of the importance of community support.

MCA will hold auditions on January 8 from 3:45 to 6:30 p.m., with callbacks scheduled for January 9 from 3:45 to 6:30 p.m., in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Male high school students interested in auditioning are encouraged to attend. The show will run March 21-22 and March 27-29. For more information, please contact STK Director Kristi Jacobs-Stanley, kjacobs@mcacubs.org.