Metropolis Port is dedicated to delivering a fully integrated theatre, film, and educational experience to the Atlanta Metropolitan area that both enhances the existing opportunities for cultural exchange within the metropolitan area and reinforces the city’s international reputation.

Metropolis Theater was founded in the fall of 2005 by Bulgarian actor and director, Prodan Dimov. Having directed and performed in award-winning productions in the United States, Russia, Bulgaria and China, Prodan is recognized locally, nationally and internationally in the theatre world. His vision is to extend the same caliber of professional international performances to Atlanta audiences. Metropolis Theater has toured successfully for two years, and Prodan’s network of artistic partners spans the globe, through Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Europe.

Valarie Benning-Barney joined the Metropolis Port team in September of 2007. Her international work in the music industry as a manager and producer of high-profile artists has been influential on many levels. Valarie’s perspective in the entertainment industry is leading Metropolis Port to becoming a self-sustaining organization and one that will reach the masses through its educational programming.

Prodan – prodan@metropolisport.org

Prodan Dimov (Founding Artistic Director, Metropolis Port) is Bulgarian and came to the US in 1996. Prodan earned a B.F.A and M.F.A. at the Krastio Sarafov Higher Institute for Theater and Film Arts. As an actor, he has appeared in more than 20 leading roles in distinguished repertory theaters and has directed more than 10 significant theater productions around the globe. Prodan has participated in several distinctive film and television productions and is a household name in Russia concerning his remarkable absurdist theatre interpretations.

During 1989 - 1992, he lived in Russia where he specialized in directing and worked as both an actor and professor of acting. After moving to the US in 1996, he began conceptualizing a world art center and has continued planning and analyzing theatre, music, film and various multi-media in his extensive travels and work abroad.

Prodan directed Diary of a Madman by Gogol at 7 Stages Theater in Atlanta, which was rated by Creative Loafing among the 10 best shows of the year and provided 7 Stages with unprecedented commercial success. In 2000, the same show participated in the International Festival of Russian Classical Drama and won awards for both acting and directing. His production of The Chairs by Eugene Ionesco received similar success in the United States and won numerous awards in China.

From 2002 to 2005 Prodan Dimov worked as a professor of Acting in the Department of Theater at Kennesaw State University. Prodan Dimov is founding artistic director of Metropolis Theater whose first show was Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, which just returned from a successful tour in Russia. Prodan is currently working on his Ph.D. specializing in the origins and complexities of human emotions.

Valarie Benning – valarie@metropolisport.org

Valarie Benning-Barney (Managing Director) is an entertainment industry veteran with over 20 years of experience.  During her expansive career Ms. Benning-Barney has helped develop and direct the careers of such music industry heavyweights as Guy, Lokey, Mint Condition, and the two-time Grammy award winning Sounds of Blackness. She served as Promoter Touring Manager for Luther Vandross, BeBe& CeCe Winans, Ann Nesby, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, DaBrat, Morris Day and the Time, Hammer and Bow Wow.

For five years Ms. Benning served as Vice President of Artist Development and Touring for GR productions the company owned by super producers Gene Griffin and Teddy Riley.  During her tenure at GR productions, Ms. Benning managed the recording projects of Bobby Brown, Today, Keith Sweat, Heavy D and musical legend Michael Jackson.  She later worked with hit makers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis at their production company Flyte Tyme. 

Ms. Benning is the recipient of the NAACP Image award for co- producing the musical “Wings & Things” with Motown legend William “Mickey” Stevenson.  In addition, her theatrical credits include “The Wiz”, “42nd Street”, “Mama I Want To Sing”, “Bubbling Brown Sugar”, “Tellin It Like It Tiz”, “Black Heroes In The Hall of Fame” “Lawd Have Mercy” and “Sang Sista Sang”.
As General Manager of the National Black Arts Festival 2000, the largest festival of African-American culture in the United States, she was responsible for negotiating the contracts for 75 performing artists. During the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games she served as producer and booking agent for the cultural Olympiad and was responsible for bringing over 250 national and international artists to perform during the 10 days of the games.

Ms. Benning has designed, produced or managed some of the most innovative and successful concert events for corporate sponsors around the world. Events such as the highly successful Pepsi Splash Concert Series in Netherlands, The Scream Tour II sponsored by Burger King and Verb, The Luther Vandross Power of Love Tour  sponsored by Miller Lite .  As well as national Theatrical productions sponsored by Church’s Chicken and Planter’s Peanuts.

Prior to joining Metropolis Port Ms. Benning-Barney served as the Marketing and Sponsorship Supervisor for the Atlanta Jazz Festival and The Montreux Atlanta Jazz Festival Atlanta.  Where she is developing tailored activations and joint sponsorships for such corporate partners such as: Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Winsonic Technologies, The CW Atlanta, BET J, ING, Radio One, Level/Absolute Spirits, Gibson Guitars and Steinway Pianos.