2020 Season Postponed
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June 2020

Dear Lime Kiln Community,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of the 2020 Lime Kiln season. At the time of our last communication, we were cautiously optimistic about the opportunity to hold events later in the summer, and we continued to prepare towards that goal as we monitored the COVID-19 situation closely. While we hope and believe that the landscape around live music events will begin to improve over the next few months, we feel strongly that our decision is in the best interest of our community. Fortunately, many of the artists that we were so excited to present to you this year are looking to reschedule for the 2021 season.

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

We view this unforeseen situation as a unique and rare opportunity. Site-improvement projects that would have taken years to finish, and which likely would have been accomplished in phases, can now begin much sooner and proceed much faster. We can also focus our attention on strategic planning and organizational development as we prepare for the next phase of growth for Lime Kiln. As always, we are deeply appreciative of the tremendous backing that we’ve received from our community, and we look forward to your continued support.

Most importantly, Lime Kiln will survive this challenging time. Our ability to weather the storm is the result of many people’s hard work since our revival in 2014. It is also a testament to our board, our lean operating model, our dedicated fanbase that has filled our seats for the past six years, and the incredible support within our community of volunteers, donors, and sponsors.

We hope to see you all very soon. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy, and keep the music playing.

Sincerely,
Lime Kiln Theater Board of Directors 

Welcome back!
The past six seasons have been an enormous success. Lime Kiln Theater served an audience of over 4,000 people each summer, and almost every concert was sold out. Please join us again in 2021, as we continue to offer music and performance art; fulfilling our mission to serve residents of the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

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History
The Lime Kiln Theater is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. In 1967, two Washington and Lee University students, Tommy Spencer and Don Baker, produced A Midsummer Night’s Dream in an abandoned, turn-of-the-century lime quarry and kiln located in Lexington, VA. Fifteen years later, Tommy Spencer convinced the owner of the site containing the quarry to donate the use of the land for the establishment of an arts organization. After thousands of volunteer hours to clear the brambles, thickets, and rubble and to build the stage, the first season was presented in 1984.

From that summer season of one play, 12 performances, and an audience of 2,000, Lime Kiln expanded to an annual season peak of 74 performances of four plays and 23 concerts for an audience of nearly 25,000. Through Lime Kiln, artists have created and premiered 20 original scripts, and helped develop eight works by other playwrights. In February 2012, the theater temporarily ceased operations due to challenging economic conditions. In 2014, a newly energized Lime Kiln board, led by executive director Spencer McElroy, undertook the challenge to bring the unique performance space back to life.

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I was there!
​Did you attend one of our concerts and have a story or photograph to share with us? If so, let us know!

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There are many opportunities available if you'd like to volunteer your time with Lime Kiln Theater. Use the button below to learn more about volunteering.

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Give to Lime Kiln!
Lime Kiln Theater was rekindled in 2014 as a volunteer-based organization. With substantial help from volunteers, our goal is to offer exciting and affordable concerts and theater events in an incredible venue, unlike any other in southwest Virginia. All donations from this web site will be used for maintenance and restoration of the Lime Kiln Theater site. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today.

​Lime Kiln Arts, Inc. is a non-profit (501c3), operating at Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington. It opened in 1984 and is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater.

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