The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Special Theatrical Artists Revue & Showcase (STARS) will perform “We Believe,” a variety show that will be held at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Sun., Dec. 7, at 3:00 p.m.
STARS was founded in 1996 by Appalfolks of America Association (AAA) during the time that AAA owned and operated the Historic Masonic Theatre which was operating at the time as the Historic Stonewall Theatre. Beginning with a troupe of 10 performers who faced physical disabilities or intellectual challenges, STARS has more than tripled its number of performers to 36 under the direction of Paula Crance, a member of AAA’s Board of Directors.
Under Crance’s leadership, STARS was recently featured in Moose, the Loyal Order of Moose’s national magazine. Crance, who has retired as an Alleghany County employee, volunteers her time to direct STARS which performs variety shows at the Historic Masonic Theatre and other venues in the Alleghany Highlands.
In 2006, AAA filmed STARS, a documentary film that features footage of the Town of Clifton Forge and STARS performing at the Historic Masonic Theatre. Narrated and scripted by Jana Allen, spokesperson and vocalist with The Virginia Opry, STARS won a Bronze Telly that can be viewed at the Clifton Forge Public Library.
Chris Fisher will emcee “We Believe,” and the production is free of charge with donations to AAA being tax-deductible and channeled into the STARS’ bank account for providing production needs.
In 2003, AAA donated the Historic Stonewall Theatre to the Town of Clifton Forge, and the Town restored the original name to the theatre that was built in 1905, by Masonic Lodge 166 of Low Moor. For the 12 years that AAA owned and operated the theatre, more than $200,000 worth of restoration improvements were completed, and $6.9 million more in restoration improvements have been completed since the Town leased the facility to the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation.
While the Town continues to own the theatre, the MTPF leases the theatre and organizes and holds events in the theatre throughout the year. STARS performs two or three variety shows in the theatre yearly, ones that are held by the theatre free of charge to AAA. The Theatre’s doors open one half of an hour prior to showtime.
