WEATHER UPDATE: The Thursday, June 10, and Friday, June 11 performances of The Mountaintop have been canceled due to inclement weather. If you had tickets for the June 10 or June 11 8:00pm shows, please check your email for details on how to exchange your tickets for a future performance or receive a refund.

A gripping reimagination of events the night before the assassination of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.

By Katori Hall

Directed by Phillip Bernard Smith

The Mountaintop is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Performances will take place outside in the Stephenson Amphitheatre.

Access the program for The Mountaintop by texting the word “Mountaintop” to 919-373-6060 or clicking here (program is optimized for viewing on your phone).

Community Conversations

Monday, June 14 | 6:00pm

Dr. Terrance Ruth, Director Phillip Bernard Smith, and RLT Artistic Director Patrick Torres will engage in a virtual community conversation about the themes of Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop. Did you miss the live stream? Click here to watch the recording of our first community conversation!

Friday, June 18 | 7:30pm

Dr. Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr., Pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh, will lead a pre-show discussion at RLT before the June 18, 8:00pm, performance of The Mountaintop. You do not need a ticket to attend the discussion! Join us in the amphitheatre at 7:30pm. Watch the replay of the live chat with Dr. Harshaw here!

Tuesday, June 22 | 6:00pm

Dr. Terrance Ruth will lead a virtual community conversation with the cast and director of RLT’s production of The Mountaintop. Learn more about the process of bringing this humanizing depiction of a civil rights icon to life. Did you miss the live stream? Click here to watch the recording of our community conversation with the cast!

About Dr. Terrance Ruth

Dr. Terrance Ruth is a professor at NC State University in the School of Social Work. He is leading an Anti-Racist investment strategy that invest in community driven solutions with United Way. He officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Raleigh for the upcoming municipal election. He is the former State Executive Director for the NC NAACP State Conference. He is also the former Vice President of Programing for the Repairers of the Breach. He was a teacher and alternative school principal for Wake County Public Schools. Terrance Ruth holds a PhD Degree from the University of Central Florida, in Public Affairs. He has a son, Miles Ruth, and his wife, Kiara Ruth.

About Dr. Dumas Alexander Harshaw, Jr.

Dr. Harshaw began his tenure as the 10th Pastor of First Baptist Church, Raleigh, on September 1, 1996. He has been a student of the Bible and systematic theology for more than four decades earning the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in Theology, Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) with special studies in Philosophy of Religion and Theology, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. His research has centered upon the theologies of Friedrich Schleiermacher and Howard Thurman. His quest for linking theological studies with community and world mission led him to travel the globe with this focus. He has had the privilege of serving as Adjunct and Visiting Professor at Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, NC, Campbell University Divinity School, Buies Creek, NC, The Apex School of Theology, Durham, NC and the Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA.

Sponsors

Thanks to our show sponsor, North State Bank.

The Mountaintop is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, as well as the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Attending a performance in the Amphitheatre

Since the amphitheatre is part of a City of Raleigh park, please adhere to the following rules:

• You are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages
• The theatre reserves the right to check coolers for outside alcohol
• No open flames or candles (including citronella candles)
• No glass bottles allowed
• Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash and be well-behaved

Bringing blankets or chairs makes seating more comfortable. Lawn chairs or folding chairs work well. There is grass between the concrete benches, and chairs fit well in that space.

Indoor restroom facilities, which are wheelchair accessible, are available at the Main Stage lobby entrance. Porta-johns, which are also wheelchair accessible, are located to the left of the stage near the ramp.

The RLT parking lot will only be open to vehicles with disability parking placards as well as limited parking in the front half of the lot for anyone. The RLT staff parking lot is only for drop off of patrons with wheelchairs or mobility issues – no parking. You may park on the street where signposted.