ABOUT SUMMER STAGE
Summer Stage is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization (non profit) serving the young people and families of southwest Virginia and northwestern North Carolina. These rising stars gather each summer to make lifelong friends, develop their talents, and perform for their community.
Mission Statement To develop the creativity and leadership skills of youth through outstanding theater performances for the community.
Practice
Summer Stage introduces young people (ages 9-18) to the infectious joy of the performing arts! Young actors have the opportunity to study with seasoned theater professionals in a nurturing environment as they develop skills through theater games and hands-on activities. At Summer Stage the young people do it all–from designing and painting sets, props, and costumes to running the box office and lights. Young Actors will find their artistic voice and develop self-confidence as they sing, dance, act, create hilarious improvisations, tell stories, and perform for friends, family, and the community.
Leadership and Board
Young Directors Series
Lacey Griffith
Lacy Griffith is a senior honors student at Carroll County High School. She will attend Radford University in the fall to pursue a degree in the business of music and the arts. Recently Lacy received the four- year merit scholarship from the Highlander Foundation!
Her interest in theatre, playwriting, and music started at an early age. Most recently, Lacy played Gabriella in Summer Stage’s production of High School Musical Jr. and was a dancer and Pick- A- Little- Lady in The Music Man Kids. She enjoyed creating multiple roles in the Cherry Orchard Theatre and the Courthouse Productions of Thunder in the Hills in April 2019 and has participated in two Twin County Arts Council’s productions.
This year, Lacy continues to study private voice and piano and can be heard singing with the Carroll County High School Chorus and the Hillsville Presbyterian Church’s adult choir.
In 2016 she joined “Maui” (Mt. Airy Ukulele Invasion) and has been sharing her passion for the instrument in venues around the community.
Lacy has composed several songs, performed at the Carroll County Fair, and in 2022 created the soundscape for Summer Stage’s children’s comedy East of the Sun and West of the Moon.
Lacy will be teaching our make- up and wig workshops this season and we look forward to having her with us in 2023!
Rorie Bond
Rorie Bond joined Summer Stage in 2019 when she appeared in Music Man Kids as Zaneeta and again in 2022 as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Tams Witmark Youth Edition. She not only enjoys the performing arts but also painting and drawing as well. “Summer Stage is an amazing place to be! You make close friends, discover new skills, and it can even open up new pathways for you in the future. Summer Stage is an amazing experience for me and others I know. I hope people who are new can experience it too!” she said recently.
Jacob Roberts
Jacob Roberts is a rising senior from Carroll County High School returning for his second year at Summer Stage. He has been heavily involved with his school’s theatre program, participating in both Alice in Wonderland and The Addams Family.
His comedy, The Squabbling Squires, was a finalist in Barter Theatre’s playwright festival in 2023.
“I’m excited to work further with backstage tech this year. A lot of the magic the audience gets to experience comes from stagehands we’ll never see,”
~ Jacob Roberts
Ian Montgomery
Ian Montgomery is a Hillsville native and rising senior at Carroll County High School. He’s loved music ever since he was a young child because of the joy it brings to people. This year Ian was chosen to join the All District Chorus and the very prestigious All Virginia Chorus! He plans to pursue a degree in music education after graduation.
“I am absolutely excited to be joining the Summer Stage family!” Ian Montgomery
Jenna Turner
Jenna Turner is an Elementary Education major at Virginia Tech University. She has been involved in theatre since her middle school years in Grayson County Schools. Favorite roles include Olaf from Frozen, Jr. at Grayson High School and Ariel from Little Mermaid, Jr. at Summer Stage 2023!
“I love music and theatre; it makes me feel at home. This is my first year as an intern and I’m so excited to get started!” Jenna Turner
“I’m excited to work further with backstage tech this year. A lot of the magic the audience gets to experience comes from stagehands we’ll never see,”
~ Jacob Roberts
Laurn Tate
Laurn is a rising senior at Grayson County High School. She has been acting with Summer Stage since it started in 2018. Favorite roles include Violet from Wonka Kids and Carlotta from The Little Mermaid, Jr. Laurn excels at comedy improvisation and loves to make people laugh. Karaoke Day was started by Laurn in 2022 and thanks to her leadership it has become a favorite annual event in our program.
“I’m really friendly and can’t wait to start the fun at Rising Stars and Summer Stage this year!” Laurn Tate
Our Board of Directors and Friends of Summer Stage are visionaries who understand non-profit governance and raise funds to drive the organization and help offer programs free-of-charge or at low cost for the community
Board Members
Julie Tucker
Debra Martin
Stacie Tate
Vicky Town
Friends &Volunteers
Shelby Meenach
Francis Meenach
Shawn Martin
Penny Duvall
Tina Wilcox
Chandra Harmon
Penny Moseley
Julie Bowers
Stephen Pottorff
David Tucker
Doug Martin
Erin Cox
Nancy Deady
Brian Spencer
Mandy Archer
Teresa Nale
Margie Quesenberry
Myra Leonard
Clint McCain
Glenna Myers
Janet Brown
Betty Town
Rose Leonard
Steve Turner
Donald Trausneck
Pat Sexton