New State Theatre board members fired up about project

The State Theatre Foundation recently welcomed four new board members who are collectively excited about the cultural and economic benefits that will come to Culpeper with the rebirth of the old vaudeville theater on Main Street.

Four years and $7 million into its $10 million campaign to revive the circa-1938 movie house as a cultural arts center, the Foundation continues to reach out to the community for support of a project unique to Culpeper.

Even though all of the money must be in place before local banks will fund restoration and expansion of the 700-seat theater, the recession isn’t getting this group down.

In fact, the Foundation recently launched a radio campaign with some of its new board members and is gearing up for an open house July 4.

Raven Yates, executive director of the State Theatre Foundation, expressed her signature enthusiasm about the possibilities ahead with the new volunteers on the board.

“We are real excited about all of the new board members,” she said of Karen Darby, Don Haight, Norm Laudermilch and Steve Southard. “They will bring a breath of fresh air to an
already experienced board.”

For Darby, a violinist and registered nurse from Rappahannock County, serving on the State Theatre board was a natural extension of her longtime love for the arts. Though her four children are all grown up now, Darby went out of her way to ensure that they each received music lessons in violin or cello when they were young.

“I grew up playing violin and I just considered it part of their education,” she said.

That early instrumental education and involvement in local orchestras translated into ongoing musical devotion in her family — from time to time they all still play together.

A resident of the area for 30 years, Darby, in volunteering for the State Theatre Foundation board, hopes to bridge similar opportunities for local youth when the old movie house opens.

“We could have this right here in Culpeper,” she said. “We could have music lessons, a junior orchestra, maybe we could have a community orchestra again and it would be so accessible. We could have it all.”

For years, Darby brought her children to movies at the State Theatre, including a Halloween show of “Ernest Scared Stupid” in 1991 that her kids gave up trick-or-treating to see.

“They loved it and they still remember it,” she said.

Steve Southard, who grew up in Culpeper, also remembers seeing shows at the State, so serving on the board has some sentimental value. Being a banker, it’s also about economics.

Besides the advantages of expanded culture, the new State Theatre “will do wonders for the downtown businesses,” he said, attracting theatergoers who will also shop and dine in the town’s bustling business district.

Even further, said new board member Norm Laudermilch, he believed the rejuvenated State Theatre would have a transformative effect on Culpeper, like he’s seen in other communities around the world.

“I believe that art — particularly performance art — is critical to the cultural and economic development of any community,” said the managing director of Culpeper’s Terremark, an international technology firm along McDevitt Drive.

Laudermilch added, “The renovation and subsequent opening of the State Theatre in Culpeper will catalyze cultural development, bring thousands of visitors to our town, generate millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses, bring jobs to the area, and foster local economic development. The economic impact cannot be understated.”

From the first time he learned about the State Theatre, he said he wanted to be part of its rebirth. Now that he’s on the board, Laudermilch said he looks forward to helping raise the remaining $3 million.

“As a lifelong supporter of the arts, I am honored to be a part of this historic renovation of a local landmark,” he said.

For Don Haight, serving on the State Theatre board is an opportunity to give back to the community in which he’s lived and done business in for the past decade. Originally from Manassas, he’s also a big movie lover.

“All of them,” Haight said of what movie genre he most enjoys. “I like comedies, old Westerns, the old Bob Hope and Bing Crosby movies, Groucho Marx.”

Through a unique partnership with the Library of Congress Packard Campus on Mount Pony, the State Theatre, when opened, will have access to one of the world’s largest collection of motion pictures. In addition, the theatre will showcase live arts from local acts to national headliners. Haight envisioned big things ahead, considering the sizable seating capacity of the State Theatre and its stage.

Just don’t ask him to croon.

“You don’t want to hear me sing,” he laughed, “only in the shower.”

But seriously, the new State Theatre will attract many different cultures and new ideas to Culpeper and the surrounding area, added Haight, who’s already gotten hands-on with the project. He oversaw painting of the front façade recently, and like with any happenings associated with the Main Street theater, it got some attention.

“I could hear commotion in the background while we were painting,” Haight said. “It was a lady passing by in her car clapping, saying, ‘Finally, someone is doing something to the State Theatre.’

So people do take notice.”

He encouraged folks to drop by July 4 from noon to 4:30 to have a look for themselves.

“You couldn’t ask for a more shovel-ready project,” Haight said.

In addition, the STF is planning to host a high-profile bluegrass act Nov. 14 at The Inn at Kelly’s Ford.

Want to help?
The State Theatre Foundation needs to raise $3 million before renovation and expansion can begin on the 70-year-old Main Street theater. Contribute to the effort and have your or a loved one’s name inscribed on the walk of stars or other theater sites. (540) 727-7979 for information or online at culpepertheatre.org