The EC Glass Theatre
Broadway in Lynchburg

The EC Glass High School live theatre has arrived. We knew they were great but now it's official. For the annual "Best of Lynchburg" issue, the reader's of Lynchburg Living magazine have voted the theatre as the Number 1, Best Live Theatre in the area for 2010.

They beat out the Liberty University Theatre and the Academy of Fine Arts, who landed the number 2 and 3 spots respectively. This is no small feat; it is a huge accomplishment for the E. C. Glass High School Drama Department and one which has made the community very proud.

The EC Glass theatre is no "Johnny-come-lately" nor is their election to the number 1 spot for live theatre a surprise.They have been entertaining and "wowing" audiences for three decades, having celebrated their 30th anniversary season this past February (2010.

In actuality, drama activities have been going on at Glass for at least 100 years. This is also not surprising considering the school can trace its origins back to 1871 although not at the same location as today nor under the same name.

The original Lynchburg High School became the E. C. Glass High School in 1920, named after Edward Christian Glass who was the superintendant of Lynchburg public schools for 52 years between 1879 and 1931.

To see what makes the theatre so great, all one has to do is look at the current staff and read their credentials.

Jim Ackley is a case in point. He is the current head of the drama department which as "Department Head" means that he is Director of Acting, Playwriting and Directing. Jim is an alumnus of VMI and is an E.C. Glass graduate himself. Since his return to Glass in 1980, under his leadership the theatre has won numerous, prestigious honors.

Other staff members such as Tom Harris (choreography, costuming, dance); Claudia Patterson (music and vocals); JD Stallings and Geep Howell (technicals); and Liz Sumpter (marketing) all bring such an incredible skill set to EC Glass Theatre as to make Broadway jealous.

By the way, speaking of technical issues, the theatre has a wish list and anyone desiring to donate any items on the list will be welcomed with open arms. Call the drama department at the number below.

The theatre doesn't take the easy road; no "wishy-washy" productions here.

They routinely take on such daunting productions as The Music Man, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, West Side Story, big River, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol and coming in March, 2011 (drum roll please)...Phantom of the Opera.

The physical layout of the theatre is such that there are no bad seats and, according to Tim Roberts, President of The Roberts Group, the building is state-of-the-art. The Roberts Group was so impressed with EC Glass Theatre that they brought Oklahoma to the stage in 2010 and are planning to bring Cats in the near future.

Click the link here for performances and ticket information.

The theatre is located at:
2111 Memorial Blvd.
Tel: Theatre Department - (434) 522-3712, ext. 3511
Box Office: just inside the doors to the auditorium

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