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The History of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre
The year was 1976 when Janet Barton Speer arrived to
the High Country from Louisiana State University to first become a Third
Century Artist, working for the federal government, then to teach
theatre at Appalachian State University. Little did she know that this
would be the gateway to a 25-year venture at Lees-McRae College.
In 1978, Janet (known by her students as “Doc”) was
actively recruited to Lees-McRae College by former Academic Dean Jim
Stonesifer and College President Dr. H.C. Evans to build a reputable
performing arts program. Janet enthusiastically accepted the offer, and
eagerly welcomed the challenge put before her. August 2003 marked
Janet’s 25th year at Lees-McRae College. She is proud to call Banner Elk
her home and has been happy ever since her arrival.
In her earlier years at LMC, Janet’s primary
responsibilities were teaching classes and building a performing arts
program, but her passion and gifts were also in directing. Each summer,
Janet trekked off to other theatre venues to produce her work as a
theatre director. By the time 1984 rolled around, Dean Stonesifer was
tired of Janet going off in the summers to do work for other people and
venues. He had the vision of a summer theatre program at Lees-McRae
College; and it was Janet who would bring this vision to fruition.
Collaboratively, these two visionaries planted the seeds of what has
become a 20-year journey of theatre, education and outreach.
On July 17, 1985, Lees-McRae Summer Theatre opened
the doors to its first summer production series with I Do! I Do!, The
Mousetrap, Coming of Age, and a children’s production, Where Are Friends
When You Need Them?, two of which were written by Janet. The
performances were held in Hayes Auditorium, with 3,403 audience members
in attendance. The year-round production staff consisted of three
people: Janet Speer, Jim Stonesifer and Joyce Ratliff (who has been our
Administrative Assistant for 20 years). The rest of the summer theatre
staff consisted of nine paid technicians, 20 volunteers, Performing Arts
faculty Jim Taylor and Steve Parrish (who performed and served as music
directors), and long-time friends of summer theatre Allen Speer, Cindy
Stonesifer, the late Cathy Lyon, Tim Hill, Tessa Willoughby Carr,
Blackie Nelson, Helen Tester, Jo Ann Taylor, Linda Weldon, Charlotte
D’Armond Talbert and Phil Teagarden to name a few.
In 1990, Dr. Charlotte D’Armond Talbert became the
company’s first producer. Aside from performing, Charlotte laid the
groundwork for new management structures, publicity and employee
relations, and Theatre for Young People. Our current logo, summer
theatre banner and playbill format were developed during her tenure with
the assistance of Debby Bandy and Barbara Hosbein. In 1995, Paul Adamson
joined our staff as the rehearsal and production pianist and still holds
these positions today. Kacy Crabtree came on board as a summer theatre
staff member in 1996. She has worn many hats, spearheaded several new
programs and now serves as our executive director.
During the same year, Michael Hannah joined the
staff as a pianist, publicity assistant and costume designer. In 1998,
John Thomas Oaks joined Janet on a wonderful collaborative venture,
creating original musicals such as Star Queen and Moses.
In 2001, the summer theatre staff welcomed two more
resident staff members, Kim Stinson-Hawn who started out as our
publicity coordinator and is now serving as managing director for
Spotlight Theatre and David Dawson who is our Production Manager,
Technical Director and Scenic Designer. The initial years of summer
theatre had a wonderful community theatre feel to it, which we still
cherish today as we have moved into the professional theatre arena. Both
staff and productions have grown steadily since the opening night of I
Do! I Do! And we are very proud the programs and services offered to
patrons and donors.
Summer Theatre would not be possible without the
generosity of our numerous donors, the town of Banner Elk and the
Lees-McRae College community. We are privileged to have the support of
all areas of our college operations including the Administration,
Institutional Advancement, Academic Divisions, Residence Life, ARA
Dining Services and Facility Services, individual faculty and staff
members and the College’s Exchange Store.
As of 2004, the summer theatre staff now totals
almost 100 paid performers, technicians, and managers. Audience
attendance tops 6,000 each summer, with an approximate annual operating
budget of $150,000. We are blessed to have an incredibly supportive
advisory board begun in 1999 that continuously works for the longevity
of summer theatre. Our patrons enjoy two stages of productions, proudly
called Hummingbird Theatre and Spotlight Theatre, which include three
musicals, Theatre for Young People and three dramas with cultural
themes. And our anniversary season marks the beginning of three new
programs: a performing arts camp, internship program and volunteer
program. We, indeed, have much to celebrate!
Janet has been teaching theatre, performing as an
actress, choreographing, as well as writing and directing plays for more
than 30 years, which includes over 500 productions. Janet is the
recipient of several prestigious honors and awards. In addition, she is
co-author of two books, Shadows Over My Berlin and Sisters of
Providence. Her husband is Dr. Allen Paul Speer, writer and history
professor at Lees-McRae College. Her children are Donovan and Barton
Carroll. Janet states, “I always thought I would return to my hometown
in San Marcos, Texas, but the mountains have become ‘home’ for me. The
people, the beauty, and the artistic energy in the High Country have
become so much a part of who I am that I cannot foresee ever leaving.”
Just like today, Avery County was a catalyst for
tourism in the mid 1980’s. Summer in the mountains suggests wonderful
opportunities to bring communities together; and what better way to do
this than through Lees-McRae Summer Theatre. Our heritage, our
commitment to the ideals of art and humanity, and our great attention to
the heart have made our work special. As Janet says, “We may not have
the bells and whistles, but we will always have the heart.”
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