What’s Your Story? “Remembering the Masonic Theatre, Stories from your Neighbors”

By Visit Clifton Forge, VA on July 17, 2016 in Celebration, CFVA Arts & Entertainment, Visit CFVA

A fabulous story telling event. A video of many of the story tellers during their interviews was edited and shown to the 150-200 persons in attendance . Some of the memories were funny, some were poignant, but all were interesting.

The “What’s Your Story” Committee has been gathering stories about the Masonic Theatre for the past several months and has launched its first book in a series of books about the community.

The first book is titled, “What’s Your Story, Volume 1, Remembering the Historic Masonic Theatre”. The book is a collection of experiences, reminiscences, and recollections of 27 local citizens, ages 11 to 98 that grew up in the area and attended shows, movies and events at the Historic Masonic Theatre.

While collecting the stories, the committee also videotaped each individual and a selection of those videos was shown last evening on July 16 in the Theatre Auditorium.

Joan Vannorsdall, project coordinator of the “What’s Your Story” Committee delivered informative information about the Masonic Theatre project. In addition Joan revealed plans for future story gathering projects in the Alleghany Highlands.

“Remembering the Masonic Theatre, Stories from your Neighbors” began in the Historic Masonic Theatre Auditorium. A story telling Tour was also part of the evening with a reception for all in the Theatre Underground Lounge and Cafe.

Historic Masonic Theatre stories unfold from people who remember the past: live performances, decades of movies, matinees, first dates, segregated seating, The Lone Ranger’s car getting towed to town, teenage pranks, 5 cent tickets, acting in plays, Shirley Temple, old westerns, fun, excitement and more. All share in the future hopes for the Theatre and Alleghany County, VA.

The book may be purchased at the Theatre, various merchants on the Theatre website. To learn more about the Historic Masonic Theatre and the Masonic Amphitheatre, please visit www.historicmasonictheatre.com.

The Theatre is surely a beautiful center of Clifton Forge VA, elegant, full of life, fellowship, art and entertainment.

photographs by [email protected]

: Lights, Camera Action: Executive Director Jeff Stern looking on.

: Joan Vannorsdall, project coordinator of the “What’s Your Story” Committee delivered informative information about the Masonic Theatre project. In addition Joan revealed plans for future story gathering projects in the Alleghany Highlands.