Mr. Kimbrough was such an incredible person - full of life and compassion. He welcomed myself, my brother, my sister, and 2 cousins from Hawaii when we were all dance boarding students in Birmingham, AL like were a part of his family. We stayed with the Kimbrough's during many school breaks and enjoyed the living the "country" life while learning many lifelong lessons along the way. Their whole family treated us like their own. Thank you all for your hospitality and all the loving memories.

I will always remember his mastery and enunciation of the English language. A commanding  tone, yet still compassionate. He was one of the strongest advocates of the performing arts. Godspeed Mr. Kimbrough, you will be sorely missed.

When I was finishing up my 9th grade year in 2007, my high school drama teacher insisted that he introduce me to a legend named “Fred Kimbrough.” This man was a Broadway actor who moved back to his hometown to start incredible theatre about 45 minutes from my hometown in Gilbertown, Alabama.

I remember my first audition at the BTAPC so clearly: I walked in and met Mr. Fred - who was a towering figure in both stature and personality. He clearly could see that I had almost no experience on the stage, but he saw that I loved it, and he gave me a chance. I was terrified, but because Mr. Fred believed in me, I believed in myself.

Over the next four years, my parents and I almost spent more time at the theatre with Mr. Fred and Mrs. Svetlana than we did at home. Almost daily, I’d see Mr. Fred come in from dealing with cows in his pasture, put on his “uniform” of a blue shirt, khakis, and socks, and inspire Broadway-level performances in small theatre in rural Alabama.

He cast me in roles that grew me as a performer and a person. He taught me how to sing harmony for the first time. He told me I’d never make it onstage in a musical unless I took ballet (He also assured me it was okay to be a high school boy in a class full of elementary school girls). He taught me how to tap dance, even when I ordered tap shoes that were way too big. Beyond those things, he showed me how to have fun doing what I love and how to encourage others with that love. He’s also the reason I will NEVER peek out of a curtain at an audience before a show.

One of my favorite memories is from the last show I was in at the BTAPC. Someone dropped out, and he ended up jumping into a role. It was like a personal treat that I got to share the stage with him for my final show.

There was a season after high school when I was literally running away from the performing arts. My freshmen year of college, I drove back to Gilbertown to see Mr. Fred. He listened patiently as I told him why I was “no longer performing.” I remember him saying, “If it’s not what you’re meant to do, you won’t miss it. But if it’s what you’re meant to do, you won’t ever be happy unless you’re doing it.” He was right. I missed it, and a part of me was missing those years that I avoided performing. Every time I’ve taken the stage here in Nashville, I’ve thought of him and how I hoped that he was proud that I'm back on it. 

Every ounce of the artist inside of me was influenced by Mr. Fred. The stage lights of the world are dimmer with him not in it. It was such a gift to know and be taught by him. 

A donation has been made to the Keeton Theatre, a small community theatre in Nashville, in Mr. Fred's honor. 

When our parents were inducted into the Choctaw County Hall of Fame in 2023, we delivered this speech, which gives a sense of our dad's perspective on his life and contributions to the community there. In honor of him, we want to lift up again the closing reflections about the importance of the performing arts in our society, and the impact that dedicated teachers can have on their students. May we all be inspired to create environments of safety, support, learning, and love for those around us—more of this will truly create a better world.

– Ian & Tatiana

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Our family was so honored and humbled to learn that our parents, Fred and Svetlana Kimbrough, were selected for the Choctaw County Hall of Fame for their contributions to the performing arts.

While our mother passed away last year, we know that she would have been deeply moved to learn of this recognition. And in sharing this news and reminiscing with our father about their days in Choctaw County, he asked that we share these reflections with you today:

“Svetlana and I have both been fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue our passion for the performing arts, and to share that passion with our students. Our goal was always to create a safe and nurturing environment for students to express themselves creatively, and to learn the skills necessary to become successful—both on the stage and in the world.

The performing arts have the power to transform individuals and communities, and we have been privileged to witness this transformation firsthand in our students. We have seen the shy and reserved become confident and outgoing, and the troubled and disengaged find a sense of purpose and belonging. These benefits have also rippled far beyond the stage, empowering young people to follow their hearts and succeed, wherever their passions have taken them.

When I was growing up in Gilbertown, there were few opportunities beyond the bigger cities for kids like me to experience the arts. I was lucky to find my way onto the stage in my early career, but it was always my dream to return home and make the performing arts accessible to these rural communities. Looking back, it is my hope that we planted some seeds for the arts to continue in Choctaw County, so that more people may experience the kinds of transformation we’ve seen in so many.

The love and support that we experienced here was unparalleled. I would like to express Svetlana’s and my gratitude to this community, and to our wonderful students, who have inspired us with their creativity and dedication. We would also like to thank Choctaw County for this honor, which we share with all those who have walked with us throughout our journey.”

To this day, our father talks about wishing he could be back, working with young people and sharing the arts with all of you. He still mentions the amazing talent that was here in Choctaw County, swearing it was on par with what he saw during his days on Broadway. For 36 years, he and our mother worked with these incredible young people—often diamonds in the rough—and taught them to shine. Through their own performing arts school, as well as working in the local community, they were able to help so many people find the talent and energy that was inside of them. It was our privilege, too, to grow up in such an environment, and our lives have been forever enhanced from our experiences on the stage and in the studio with them, and with this community.

This recognition has reminded us of the importance of the performing arts in our society, and the impact that dedicated teachers can have on their students. May we all be inspired to create environments of safety, support, learning, and love for those around us—more of this will truly create a better world. Thank you so much once again for this honor, which our family will cherish long into the future.