02/16/2021
It is with the most heaviest of hearts that we share with you news of the passing of our Artistic Director Mindy Grissom.
Mindy began working with the DATC in its founding days of 2011 as a director and choreographer. From early on, Mindy helped to shape how we would approach shows and work with artists for the next ten years. Often carrying the name “Mother Mindy”, she became a beacon of light and wisdom for all who worked with her. In 2015, the position of Artistic Director was granted to her by the board of directors and she would continue her work shaping our organization for the better.
In her tenure with the DATC she directed several record setting productions such as “Hair”, “La Cage Aux Folles”, “American Idiot”, “Dreamgirls”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “The Hobbit”, “In The Heights”, “The Va**na Monologues”, “The Laramie Project”, “Laramie: Ten Years Later”, and “Brokeology”. She was instrumental in the creation of original works such as “And Licked My Hand” and “An Evening With Miss Bouvèé”.
Mindy’s passing is truly the end of an era; a great loss for our community, city, and the artists we know and love. It is our tradition to give what we call happy notes on the evening of final dress. We are asking those who wish to contribute a happy note for Mindy Grissom to write it in a Facebook group created by a company member called “Shower Mindy with Love”. This group can be easily located and is open to the public.
Due to the ongoing pandemic risks and restrictions, a private memorial will be held for immediate family only. It is ours and the family’s hope to gather in the early spring however and celebrate Mindy’s incredible life and artistic body of work.
Our thoughts are with her family, husband Scott Grissom, and three children Emma, Charlotte, and Parker.