BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – During the City of Beckley’s Common Council meeting Monday, Theatre West Virginia General Manager and Executive Director Scott Hill made an appearance to appeal for funding for Theatre West Virginia’s “Project Coalwood.”
This project – based on Rocket Boys, the best-selling memoir of Coalwood, WV’s own Homer Hickman Jr. – would establish a permanent venue for Theatre West Virginia’s stage production of Rocket Boys: The Musical.
“Homer Hickam is one of the great assets that Southern West Virginia has,” Hill proclaimed during his presentation on the project, which would feature full replicas of various Rocket Boys settings, including a classroom from McDowell County’s Big Creek High School, Hickam’s childhood home, and even his mother’s rose garden fence.
Hill noted the prevalence of non-local attendees at Theatre WV’s production, asserting that a quality production of this nature would frame WV in a positive light for show-goers from “48 states,” who would then return from where they came and spread the word.
While productions from Theatre West Virginia are generally built, produced, then torn down again, Hill says that “Project Coalwood” would be a permanent fixture, an investment which would draw dividends based on strength of the production and material.
Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold, who was present for the presentation, voiced his support for Theatre West Virginia, but did have questions concerning the cost of such an endeavor.
The cost – which Hill said is difficult to pinpoint with 100% accuracy due to the ever-changing cost of materials in today’s economy – was estimated to be $15,000. Rappold seemed to be in favor of the idea, requesting a resolution draft for the donation for presentation at the next Council meeting, stating, “We’ll see how Council feels about that, but for me, it’s a solid investment.”
Theatre West Virginia is keeping busy this year, with the presentation of 5 concerts and 4 shows underway. For information on upcoming events or the mission of Theatre West Virginia, visit the organization’s official website.