BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Before Elsa belts out “Let It Go” and before the snow falls and the lights flash blue, one man is already deep in the zone, running it all from below the stage.

Anthony Smith is the Director of Audiovisual Production and Music Director at Red Mountain Theatre. For this production of Frozen, he’s also the conductor and the pianist, guiding a live 13-piece orchestra, firing cues, and syncing massive technical systems in real time.

Unlike previous Broadway and touring versions, Red Mountain’s production is piloting a new format: the conductor also plays piano throughout the show. It’s a first — and Smith is the first person to do it.

“And we’re showing it can be done,” Smith said.

That live performance includes:

• Falling snow- both real and projected

• Custom projections powered by a brand-new laser projector

• A timecode system that triggers lights, visuals, and effects on cue

• A percussionist playing over 40 instruments from a separate studio

• Video monitors, live mixing boards, and conductor cam feeds throughout the auditorium

Smith’s pit setup looks more like a NASA control room than a traditional orchestra shell — but it has to be. At any given time, he’s reading a score, conducting 12 other musicians, firing cue tracks, adjusting tempo, and keeping in sync with the stage manager.

And it all leads up to the show’s most iconic moment — Let It Go.

“That piano solo at the top of Let It Go... every kid in the audience knows how it’s supposed to sound,” Smith said. “There’s no room for error. You just have to be locked in.”

He calls it a mental game — 90 minutes of total focus.

Still, his favorite moment is one the audience might not even realize is happening.

“We have a cue called ‘Heart Freeze,’” Smith said. “It’s when Elsa strikes Anna with her magic. All the effects fire at once. I won’t spoil how we do it… but it’s my favorite moment in the whole show.”

Despite the complexity, Smith hopes the audience doesn’t notice the tech — at least, not consciously.

“We work hard to make it feel magical and effortless,” he said. “That’s the goal — especially for the kids. They should feel like they’ve stepped into Arendelle, not into a theater.”