About Us
Our Mission Statement
The mission of South Mountain Community Theatre (SMCT) is to entertain, inform, and educate, thereby enriching the cultural life of the Greater South Phoenix/West Valley area. SMCT shall provide area residents the opportunity both to attend and to participate in quality presentations of a cross-section of the finest theatrical and performing arts works available. SMCT shall provide education in the performing arts to adults and children. In meeting these goals, SMCT shall be mindful of the standards of its audiences and shall maintain fiscally sound management.
Meet our incredible team:
Tyson Lund Board President/Executive Director:
Tyson grew up in Mesa, Arizona where he attended Heritage Academy. While there Tyson began his performance career appearing in several productions at Heritage such as Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical the Musical, The Mouse that Roared, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Tyson also participated in local youth theaters around the Valley. He was nominated for both an AriZoni and National Youth Arts award for his portrayal of Thenardier in Les Miserable at Actors Youth Theater. Tyson studied at Eastern Arizona College as an Acting Performance Major. While at Eastern Arizona College he was noted in several roles Including Shem, The Ark (Irene Ryan Nominee, KCACTF); Cogsworth, Beauty and the Beast (Best supporting Actor in a Musical, EAC); and Francis Henshall, One Man Two Guvnors (Best Actor, EAC). Tyson has been blessed to have worked with Several Youth Theaters over the Years including Valley Youth Theater and Actors Youth Theater where he taught many theater workshops and classes. While there he also directed many Youth shows including Aladdin Jr, Dear Edwina Jr, Sleeping Beauty, Frozen Jr, and most recently Shrek the Musical. Tyson also studied Theater Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Tyson is currently the Drama Director and Fine Arts Chair at Heritage Academy Laveen.
Michael Samuel Board Vice-President/Artistic Director
Michael was raised in Arizona, and has spent his whole life surrounded by music and theatre. A pianist from the age of 7, Michael has played shows across the United States and has music directed many amazing productions, including Songs For a New World at Zao Theatre, for which he received an AriZoni nomination. As well as playing and music directing shows, Michael has had the pleasure of appearing in many productions, such as Cabaret (Maricopa Community Theatre), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Chandler Gilbert Community College), and a Christmas Carol (Chandler Gilbert Community College). He is now the Junior High Drama Teacher as well as Accompanist for the choral and theatre programs at Heritage Academy Laveen.
Heather Romito Board Secretary/Treasure/General Manager:
Heather has been involved with youth theater since she began teaching in Arizona in 2008. But she has had a love of theater from a young age, including watching old musicals and acting in as many high school plays as she could get a part in. She spent nine years building and running the theater program at Youngker High School where she gained an appreciation for the directing side of the theater before moving to Heritage Academy where she helps to put on five shows a year while teaching English. Heather has a BSed in English Education with an extended degree in Creative Writing from Montana State University-Billings and an MA in Creative Writing and Literature from Fairleigh Dickinson University.