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OUR HISTORY |
Theatre West Virginia was founded in 1955 as the West Virginia Historical Drama Association by concerned citizens from the Raleigh County region who desired to present West Virginia's unique culture to as wide an audience as possible. Founders included former Governor Hulett C. Smith, Leo Vecellio, Charles Hodel, C.S. Lewis, Jr., Harry Anderson, Waldo Lafon, M.W. Powers and others who helped fund the project. In 1961, their dream became a reality with the opening of "Honey in the Rock." The dramatic amphitheatre in Grandview has provided more than one million visitors with the excitement of outdoor musical drama. "Hatfields and McCoys" opened in 1970, joining "Honey in the Rock" as Theatre West Virginia's second drama. "Hatfields and McCoys" received immediate acclaim for its strong musical score and dignified portrayal of mountain history by news media coast to coast. In 1972, the Acting Company was formed to tour communities and schools and remains, to date, the only professional touring and historical outdoor drama theatre company in the state. The Marionette Company was formed in 1975 and The West Virginia Dance Company joined the organization from 1985-1991. The touring companies now perform in more than 400 contracted engagements annually. |