Alabama Theatre and Lyric Theatre name new executive director

Birmingham Landmarks, Inc. (BLI), the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Lyric and Alabama Theatres in downtown Birmingham, has named Cindy Mullins as its new executive director.

Mullins, a Decatur native, is the first woman to serve in this position since the theatre opened in 1927, according to a BLI release.

She is the third executive director of Birmingham Landmarks in the history of the organization.

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Longtime Alabama Theatre organist, Cecil Whitmire, became executive director of Birmingham Landmarks when the nonprofit was founded in 1987 and continued in the role until his death in 2010.

Brant Beene began his association with BLI after Whitmire’s death and was instrumental in the renovation of the Lyric Theatre, the release says.

After his promotion to executive director, Beene managed operations of the Lyric, the Alabama, and the Hill Event Center for 15 years. Cindy Mullins was his first hire, according to the release.

One week after graduating from the University of Montevallo, Mullins started her career at Birmingham Landmarks on May 14, 2012.

Mullins’ first job title was Director of the Hill Event Center, and her career path evolved from there, the release says.

She became the event manager for the Lyric, the venue manager for the Alabama and then Vice President of Birmingham Landmarks, Inc.

Between 2017 and 2024, she booked more than 500 events at the theatres.

And in 2020, she created COVID-19 safety and policy procedures and worked with the National Independent Venue Association to lobby Congress for federal aid that resulted in a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.

“She has always been hands-on, first to volunteer, unafraid and enthusiastic,” Beene said in the release.

“It is important for a leader to have that kind of respect — the kind that is earned — and she has earned the trust and respect of everyone at Birmingham Landmarks.”

Mullins is a former resident of Decatur, Ala. and received her undergraduate degree in art and public relations from the University of Montevallo.

While Mullins is the first woman to ever serve in the top management position at the theatres, the release highlights that the Board of Directors for Birmingham Landmarks is also woman-led for the first time.

“Cindy has been a team player since she arrived over ten years ago,” said Birmingham Landmarks Board President, Maurine C. Evans.

“She has worn all of the hats required to operate our facilities over the years and shown repeatedly that she has the knowledge, skill, creativity, and drive to lead our theatres into this new chapter.”

“I can’t wait to see where she takes the organization,” she continued.

Code-R Productions founder Todd Coder, who has worked as a talent buyer and concert promoter for more than 25 years, says that Mullins’ new role with Birmingham Landmarks is unique.

“Not only is she dealing with artists, promoters, managers and customers on a daily basis, she is the lifeline between the board and the venue, she works with donors and also oversees fundraising campaigns,” he said in the release.

“This is a lot for one person to manage so it takes a special person like Cindy to do it.”