Greenbrier Valley Theatre

A Brief History

Greenbrier Valley Theatre is a live-performance theatre and much more. GVT is involved in all aspects of the arts and humanities, with people of all ages. Here is a brief history of our amazing journey:

From its 1966 productions in a tent alongside the Greenbrier River to Actor's Equity affiliation in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Lewisburg, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre has adhered to the founders' concept: quality live theatre centered around a core of professional actors and directors with opportunities for members of the community to learn stagecraft.

For our first three years, we performed in a tent beside the Greenbrier River. After performing in various borrowed spaces, in 1976 a temporary structure was erected on property loaned to us by the Greenbrier Valley Airport Authority. The facility, known as The Barn, was funded by the Benedum Foundation and built by dedicated volunteers. It served as our home for the next 21 years. During this time, through thick and thin, GVT pushed ahead, developing the framework of a regional cultural institution by hiring a full-time Artistic Director and Managing Director and a seasonal company of professional actors and technical staff. We began to blend a trained cadre of community-based actors into the resident company and orchestrate vigorous intern (college-age) and apprentice (high school) programs. Our programming also began embracing a full season of plays including experimental new works, a very successful after-school drama program, a summer camp for youngsters, classes, literary readings, special events performances, art appreciation activities, lectures, discussions, and workshops.

Knowing that our temporary facility would not last forever, we searched for a permanent home, and in 1994, purchased the vacant Leggett's Department Store in downtown Lewisburg - a vital step in providing year-round live theatre and classes in a safe, comfortable and accessible setting. We began renovations in 1999, and in 2000 we moved into our new home. We raised a section of the roof to create flexible theatre space eliminating support columns to provide an unobstructed view. We also: created a spacious, attractive lobby for our patrons; created classroom/studio space; upgraded existing building systems to accommodate the demands of live theatre; and met all federal, state and local codes including accommodations under the American Disabilities Act as well as the expectations

of theatre professionals.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre has enjoyed the support of a loyal community whose nurturing has developed a vigorous, professional organization with a vision to establish GVT as a significant regional performing theatre. In March 2006 GVT became West Virginia's Official Year-Round Professional Theatre.

GVT HISTORY ENDNOTES

[1] Certificate of Incorporation, Greenbrier Valley Theatre Archives

[2] Letter, 4/7/76, GVT Archives

[3] Article, Beckley Post Herald, 8/3/70, GVT Archives

[4] Article, Greenbrier Independent, 4/18/74, GVT Archives

[5] Articles Charleston Gazette, The Charleston Daily Mail, 4/27/74, GVT Archives

[6] Article, White Sulphur Springs Star, 5/16/74, GVT Archives

[7] Article, West Virginia Daily News, 3/1/75, GVT Archives

[8] Letter, 4/4/75, GVT Archives

[9] Program notes, You’re a Good Man, Charley Brown, 10/30-11/8/75, GVT Archives

[10] Article, Greenbrier Independent, 2/26/76, GVT Archives

[11] “ , Meadow River Post, undated, GVT Archives

[12] op. cit.

[13] Article, Greenbrier Independent, 4/22/76, “ “

[14] “ , News Leader, 5/5/76, GVT Archives

[15] Article, unattributed, undated, GVT Archives

[16] Articles, “ “ “ “

[17] Program, Fiddler on the Roof, 8/5-8/14/76, GVT Archives

[18] Article, Covington Virginian, 9/11/76, GVT Archives

[19] President’s Message, Limelight (GVT newsletter), Vol. 1, No. 1, March 1977, GVT Archives

[20] Articles, WVU Atheneum & Barnesville OH Enterprise, 4/14/77, GVT Archives

[21] Article, West Virginia Daily News, 4/19/77, GVT Archives

[22] “ “ “ “ “, 5/13/77, “ “

[23] “ “ “ “ “, 6/14/77, “ “

[24] Office Records, GVT Archives

[25] Program Note, Summer 1977, Greenbrier Historical Society Archives

[26] Audition Sheet, May 1978, GVT Archives

[27] Article, West Virginia Daily News, undated, GVT Archives

[28] Program Notes, Summer 1987, GVT Archives

[29] “ “ “ 1979, “ “

[30] “ “ “ 1980, “ “

[31] “ “ “ & Brochure, 1980, GVT Archives

[32] Program Notes for Where’s Charley?, 1981, GVT Archives

[33] GVT History by Robert Fisk, DO, GVT website (gvtheatre.org), 1/25/01

[34] Message from the President, Spotlight newsletter, GVT Archives

[35] op. cit.

[36] Article, The Beckley Register Herald, 5/3/85

[37] Program Notes for 110 in the Shade, June 27-29 & July 5-13, 1985, GVT Archives

[38] Article, The West Virginia Daily News, 6/13/88, GVT Archives

[39] “ “ “ “ “ , 8/1/88, “ “

[40] Former President’s Message, Spotlight newsletter, Fall 1989, GVT Archives

[41] Article, Spotlight newsletter, Fall 1993, GVT Archives

[42] Physical Plant Development, Phase I, Proposal, Long Range Plan attachment, GVT Archives

[43] op. cit., Appendix V

[44] op. cit., cover letter A

[45] op. cit., cover letter B

[46] Article, Spotlight newsletter, Spring 1995, GVT Archives

[47] Physical Plant Development, Phase I_, Long Range Plan Attachment, GVT Archives

[48] Greenbrier Valley Theatre By-Laws, 8/97, GVT Archives

[49] The 100 Best Small Arts Towns in America, John Villani, copyright 1998, p. 228

[50] Board Handbook, 1997, personal collection of Ann Benedict

Special thanks to: Ramah Jones, Barbara Wygal, Rita Hassen, Mrs. Lawrence Persinger, Mitch Scott, Phyllis Tuckwiller, Roland Layton, John Benjamin