LaughTrax Kicks Off Theatre Guild Restoration, Salutes WCRK's Ed Dotson

Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain, WCRK Radio host Ed Dotson, and Morristown Mayor Danny Thomas share good times at the opening of the show, as they present a Proclamation declaring April 20, 2013 Ed Dotson Day. Ed has served the community 50 years as morning host for WCRK.

 

The Morristown Theatre Guild made their first public launch of the Rebuild The Guild fundraising project at Saturday Day LaughTrax held at Rose Center in Morristown. The event, the start of our 79th Season, began with a special salute to "Hometown Radio" WCRK's Ed Dotson for his legendary broadcasting career. A joint city-county resolution declared the day Ed Dotson Day.

Throughout the evening, Dotson and many others, shared memories of our theatre building on South Hill Street, supported the plans for the Restoration of out home in the community.

 The LaughTrax performers lived up to their name too, rolling out a hilarious show of improv comedy including several audience participation scenes, and live music from Smiley and the Love-Dawg, aka Chris Durman and Steve White.

In upcoming posts, we'll be sharing the design plans for the Restoration, updates on the selection of contractors and partners, and more so be sure and check back with us.

You can add your support by donating today!

Morristown Theatre Guild Restoraton Project Underway!

The Morristown Theatre Guild's home on South Hill Street is getting new signs of life.

After an intense period of exploring options for performance spaces in our community, we realized we already had the very best home. So we're rebuilding. This blog will document the process, which is already underway.

Volunteers already have removed old growth around the building

Our structural engineer gave us the best news  - the foundations and walls are sound. We'll need a new roof, so we've started on that first - protecting the roof and making it easier to replace by removing the trees which had damaged the building and trees which were sadly dying. Next, we've covered the roof to prevent any interior leakage.

Right now, we're working with designers and architects to develop our new look, but while also maintaining this unique building's structure. The site was first built in 1840 - and we want to preserve it while we strive to bring our home into the 21st century and beyond.

Expect more news soon and ways for you to join our community-wide effort to Rebuild The Guild.

And you can help too in several ways:

1) Financial Support: You can make a tax deductible donation to The Morristown Theatre Guild Restoration Fund, and mail your check today to The Morristown Theatre Guild, PO Box 1502, Morristown, TN 37816.

2) Be A Volunteer: You can join our large support group of volunteers to work on our ongoing season of live theatrical shows! We always need help backstage, building sets, gathering props, selling ads and performing too! All ages are welcome. We're also looking for help in obtaining building materials for our performance space and for each and every show. We also need advertisers for all of our programs for every show. Simply call 423-586-9260 to get more information.

3) Tell Your Friends: Our history is a story that continues to grow and spread, and you cna help by sharing this web site, our phone and contact information with your friends and family. Follow us on Facebook at Morristown Theatre Guild, Inc., and we also have many decades of photos from our past production at the Facebook page Theatre Guild Scrapbook. Our main website is TheatreGuildInc.org.

We are proud to be a part of the long and rich history of Morristown and East Tennessee. Won't you join us today?

Our stage area - both structural and interior improvements are underway