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Eli Hartman

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Summer Mummers

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Clients: The Texas Tribune

Spectators start a “p...ther general operational costs.

Spectators start a “popcorn war” with each other at the start of the Summer Mummers melodrama “Bootlegging Boobery in the Basin or M’Yah, See?” Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Yucca Theatre in Midland, Texas. The Summer Mummers production serves as a fundraiser for the Midland Community Theatre and each season Mummers sells approximately $100,000 in popcorn alone. According to MCT, revenue generated from the production goes towards season shows, educational programs, and other general operational costs.

Spectators order drinks from th...ly 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas.

Spectators order drinks from the bar before the start of Saturday showing of the Summer Mummers melodrama at the Yucca Theatre on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas.

Spectators wait for the start o...eatre’s upper levels.

Spectators wait for the start of the Summer Mummers melodrama from the balcony of the Yucca Theatre Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. Guests who sit in the balcony are spared from the popcorn thrown below as venue rules ensure a calmer experience in the historic theatre’s upper levels.

From left, Jason Kelliher, the ... letting others take vacations.

From left, Jason Kelliher, the hero sidekick, Ben Spencer, the hero, and Chris Carroll, the ‘Don’, prepare backstage in their dressing room before the start of the night’s showing of Summer Mummers at the Yucca Theatre Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. The Summer Mummers production is typically double-casted, allowing most of the volunteer cast members to work various positions throughout the theatre during the summer and in some cases letting others take vacations.

Pianist Mike Sherrod wears an u...ed its 73rd consecutive season.

Pianist Mike Sherrod wears an umbrella hat to shield himself from falling popcorn as he plays the intro music to Summer Mummers Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. Summer Mummers is currently the longest continuing melodrama in the United States and 2021 marked its 73rd consecutive season.

Spectators laugh at an opening ... dollars is raised each season.

Spectators laugh at an opening scene in the Summer Mummers melodrama “Bootlegging Boobery in the Basin or M’Yah, See?” Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. 2021 marked Summer Mummers 73rd consecutive season and the show is the longest continually running melodrama in the United States. The production serves as a summer fundraiser for the Midland Community Theatre and around a quarter of a million dollars is raised each season.

Cast members chat backstage jus...bined 13,000 hours each summer.

Cast members chat backstage just before the start of the night’s performance of Summer Mummers Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. Each volunteer actor and dancer in Summer Mummers puts in between 60 to 120 hours of rehearsal time before opening night and the entire cast and crew dedicate over a combined 13,000 hours each summer.

The villains of the Summer Mumm...ly 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas.

The villains of the Summer Mummers melodrama “Bootlegging Boobery in the Basin or M’Yah, See?” make their first appearance of the night Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas.

Popcorn begins to pile up on th...eatre at the end of each night.

Popcorn begins to pile up on the floor of the Yucca Theatre before the start of the night’s showing of Summer Mummers Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Midland, Texas. Popcorn can accumulate to 12 inches or more in certain areas of the venue and companies are contracted to clean the theatre at the end of each night.

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Public Project

Summer Mummers

Copyright Eli Hartman 2024

Date of Work Jul 2021 - Jul 2021

Updated Sep 2024

Location Midland, Texas

Topics Arts, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism, Spotlight

Summary

Summer Mummers is the longest consecutively running melodrama in the United States located in Midland, Texas. Each year the volunteer-produced show fundraises over $250,000 for the area's local community theater, drawing hundreds of out-of-town visitors to Midland throughout the summer. In 2007 alone, visitors represented 8 foreign countries, 34 different states and 136 Texas cities and towns.

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