HISTORY •TEAM• MISSION• EXPERIENCE

OuR HIStory

Lime Kiln Theater is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. 
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In 1967, two Washington and Lee University students produced “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in an abandoned, turn of the century limestone quarry and kiln in Lexington, Virginia. Fifteen years later, the landowner donated use of the site for the establishment of a nonprofit arts organization, and thus began thousands of volunteer hours to clear the brambles, thickets, and rubble to build a theater and concert venue. From a successful first summer season in 1984, Lime Kiln expanded to an annual series that spanned over 25 years, having to temporarily cease operations due to challenging economic conditions during 2012-2013. 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.  

Since 2014, Lime Kiln’s Summer Concert Series has provided unforgettable experiences for over 100,000 people across 125 concerts. The Bowl, Lime Kiln's main stage, has a sellable capacity of 675 guests, selling out nearly every show over the past 10 seasons with performances from notable national acts.

STAFF

We’ve curated some stellar staff who work tirelessly to create the Lime Kiln Theater experience at each and every show.

Spencer McElroy
​EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Since Lime Kiln Theater’s rebirth in 2014, McElroy has provided vision for operations, artistic direction and development efforts. A graduate of Washington and Lee University in Physics ('09), McElroy co-founded the Elysian Fields Music Festival in 2008 and also serves as a principal and Vice President of Operations for UTS Systems. 

EMILY LANEY
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

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​Emily hails from Roanoke, VA and graduated with a business degree from Virginia Tech. In her role Emily works with the Lime Kiln team to execute a successful season; including live music events, festivals and private events. Emily has helped with Lime Kiln shows for the previous three seasons, stepping into the role of Operations Director in 2023. In her spare time you can find her traveling to see live music, reading, and spending time with her dog, Paul.

Jamie GOODIN
​MARKETING  Development Director

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A former Lime Kiln board president, Jamie brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, events, and economic development. A graduate of Washington and Lee University, Jamie has consulted for companies across the nation and currently serves as Executive Director of Rockbridge Conservation and on multiple boards supporting regional growth. 

KAYLA AUSTIN
Site MANAGER

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Kayla is a live event operations and production professional with experience coordinating concerts and large-scale gatherings. Known for her hands-on work ethic, she specializes in crew leadership, site management, and the logistical planning required to deliver safe, well-executed events. Through her work, she helps steward spaces where artists, audiences, and communities can connect through live music. 

BOARD

With their diverse backgrounds, experience, and shared love of local arts in Rockbridge County, our board is
​an incredible group of people all committed to preserving, improving, and promoting Lime Kiln Theater.

James Owens
​board PRESIDENT

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A graduate of the College of Charleston and Chief Advancement Officer for the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, Owens joined the Lime Kiln board in 2024. He has served on multiple local and national non-profit boards since 2003. He is an avid golfer and served multiple terms on the Lexington Golf and Country Club board including the position of President. He listens to a wide variety of music genres and enjoys attending live music events. 

Cliff Jarrett
​BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

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Jarrett grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and is a graduate of the Washington and Lee University School of Law. He and his family moved to Lexington in 2014, where he worked in the Law School’s career office for 10 years. While a lawyer in his former life, Jarrett is currently a legal recruiter for an international law firm and is fortunate to work from his home in Rockbridge County. Charleston where he met his wife, Lucia.

He moved to Lexington in 1987 to start his career with Sigma Nu Fraternity and currently serves as the Chief Advancement Officer for the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. James is an avid golfer and served multiple
terms on the Lexington Golf and Country Club board including the position of President.
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He listens to a wide variety of music genres and enjoys attending live music events.
James is member of “The Clarksdale Three,” a group of friends that make an annual
blues-immersion pilgrimage to Clarksdale, MS, the birthplace of the blues.

​​erica ingersoll
​Board TREASURER

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Ingersoll was born and raised in coastal Maine. After graduating from Washington and Lee University, she stayed in Lexington to work with small businesses. In 2021, she started working at the W&L School of Law. Ingersoll has previously served on the boards of Yellow Brick Road and Lexington Lacrosse. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and listening to live music. 

MANDY MILLER
Board SECRETARY

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A Rockbridge County native and graduate of James Madison University, Miller is the office manager of the Southern Inn Restaurant and has served on the Main Street Lexington board as well as committees that support the Freedom Food Festival and the Bull & Oyster Festival. 

SARAH CENTORINO
​​BOARD MEMBER

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 A graduate of Washington and Lee University with a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Virginia, Centorino returned to Lexington in 2019 where she works as a real estate agent at James Wm. Moore Real Estate. In addition to supporting Lime Kiln, she is vice president of the Lexington Golf & Country Club, president of W&L’s Rockbridge Alumni Chapter, member of the Natural Bridge Frontier Chapter of the DAR and immediate past president of the Rockbridge Highlands Association of REALTORS. 

​​​TOM LOVELL
​BOARD MEMBER

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A graduate of Washington and Lee University, Tom returned to Lexington in 2000 by way of San Diego and his native Cleveland, OH.

​For more than 20 years, Tom planned major events, designed and led alumni chapter programming, and cultivated constituency relationships in W&L’s Office of Alumni Engagement. He co-founded and operated Blue Lab Brewing Company, cultivating a live music scene in Lexington during its seven-year run, and is currently following his long-time passion for rugby as a
consultant for several rugby organizations. He lives in Lexington with his wife, Wendy, and has two adult
children. Tom’s wide-ranging interests include music, travel, sunshine, rugby, and beer. He’s excited to support one of the best live music venues in the South.

BLAKE SHESTER
Board Member

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Blake is a Southern California native whose love of playing the banjo inspired him to uproot and move to Nashville after graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Biology. He and his family moved to Lexington from Tennessee in 2011 to work at W&L where his wife is a professor and he works in IT.

​In addition to music, Blake enjoys running daily, spending time outdoors, and being a member of the Lexington community. He serves on the local elementary school PTA, Boxerwood Education Board of Directors, and enjoys coaching youth sports. Though he has been an avid music fan his entire life and attended many great concerts and festivals, he feels nothing beats the “Lime Kiln Magic” of being in the Bowl with friends and community and experiencing the highest caliber artists at their peak performance.

monika dickens
​Board Member

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Monika holds degrees in Arts and Communications from the University of Munich, after which she owned an advertising agency in Germany before moving to the US. She's worked a variety of jobs including Manager of the Troubadour (W&L), Fundraising for VMI Foundation, and SVU. She also served as manager of the VMI Student Union for 20 years. Retired since 2018, Monika is still involved in special projects at VMI and has been a steadfast volunteer at Lime Kiln through the years. 

will townes
Board Member

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Will Townes is an architect and a Washington and Lee and Virginia Tech alum. Will grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and after years in Montana and throughout the southeast, Will and his family returned to Lexington. Will joined the Lime Kiln board in 2026.

CLaiboUrnE EDWARDS
​Board Member

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Claibourne is a Rockbridge County native, and has been attending Lime Kiln shows with her family since she was a child. Claibourne graduated from Meredith College, with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, before returning to Lexington in 2006. She is currently an administrator and agent at J.F. Brown Real Estate Services. Prior to joining J.F. Brown Real Estate Services in 2017, she worked in land conservation for over eleven years. Claibourne previously served on the board for the Waddell PTA (2019-2022), and is currently serving on the boards for Lexington Lacrosse/ LexLax Lightning and Rockbridge Highland Realtors. In her free time she enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her husband, Michael, and their three children. 

​zander Tallman
BOARD MEMBER

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Zander grew up in Michigan and graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2014 with a BS in Accounting. He earned a Masters degree in Accounting from Wake Forest University and then moved to Washington DC to work for EY. In 2018, he and his wife Paige moved back to the area and opened Just Games Lexington, a table-top game store. Zander has been a board member for Woods Creek Montessori and the LexRock Chamber of Commerce. He is also an alumni representative on the W&L University Athletic Committee. His first Lime Kiln show was The Milk Carton Kids and he loves having such great talent perform locally.

JENN COX
​Board Member

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Born in Southern Illinois and raised in Upstate New York, Jennifer was drawn to New York City to study urban and regional transportation planning. Holding both a Masters in Geography and Urban Planning and a Doctorate in Earth and Environmental Science, Jenn has worked in public, private and nonprofit planning and policy positions leading the sustainable movement of goods and people. She currently works at EnergySolutions as the Logistics Market Lead, designing transportation and disposition programs to support environmental clean-ups. 

Jenn first discovered the Shenandoah Valley when she worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad in Roanoke. She moved to Lexington in 2022 and quickly experienced the magic of the Lime Kiln Theater. Jenn is also a Board Member of the Rockbridge County SPCA, as well a member of the Lexington Golf and Country Club, serving as Secretary of the Ladies Golf Association. In her spare time, Jenn enjoys hanging with her two corgis, traveling, cooking, and gardening. 

​​Michele Hentz
BOARD MEMBER

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Formerly CFO of Rockbridge Area Health Center, Hentz brings a wealth of non-profit development and finance management experience to her role on the Lime Kiln board. Hentz worked as Lime Kiln’s development director in the late 1990s, and she has also served as a Lime Kiln volunteer, on Lexington City Council, and on the boards of Hull’s Angels, Woods Creek Montessori, Kendal at Lexington, and the Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services. 

​​Chuck smith
BOARD MEMBER

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A longtime supporter of Lime Kiln and former owner and operator of Lexington’s Washington Street Purveyors, Smith joined the board in 2021. Additionally, he is serving his fourth term on Lexington City Council, and he volunteers with other organizations that promote recreation and tourism in Lexington and Rockbridge County. 
Cliff has been drawn to music his whole life - from playing the saxophone in school bands to taking voice lessons, which ultimately paid off in his one (and only) on-stage appearance singing lead in Gimme Three Steps with a local Charlotte band. Cliff and his family have been attending Lime Kiln events for over a decade and have fallen in love with watching the variety of music and theater in such a unique venue.

​MIKE ORRISON
BOARD MEMBER

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Mike relocated to the Rockbridge County area in 1997 from McLean, Virginia. He and his family currently live on a farm in Natural Bridge. Mike has always enjoyed music, and he began his relationship with Lime Kiln as a patron and volunteer. As Lime Kiln gained energy and momentum and the music became more lively and fun, Mike grew more involved.

His business, Orrison Tree Service, was a season sponsor for several years. Mike joined the board in 2025, and he looks forward to continuing to help the venue grow. In addition to his love of music, Mike enjoys his work being outdoors and being involved in his community.

Our mission

Lime Kiln Theater is a non-profit organization that enriches the community's culture by producing and presenting the arts in our unique historic spaces.

THE LIME KILN EXPERIENCE

Attending a show at Lime Kiln is a unique and immersive experience. The natural stone walls, trees, and stars overhead blend perfectly with the folk, roots, and bluegrass tunes that cast a spell and get toes tapping in our audience every season. Our Bowl venue holds 675 guests on our wooden benches and grassy spaces, giving you the option to bring your own chairs and blanket and get cozy.

​Each season we host area food trucks and open our doors over an hour before the show begins, giving you time to catch up with friends over delicious local fare. We also partner with local breweries and wineries to provide a wide assortment of beer, wine, and cider. More than just a concert, attending a show at Lime Kiln Theater is a one-of-a-kind experience, and one we hope you enjoy over and over again.

Lime Kiln Theater is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. ​

"At Lime Kiln, you're surrounded by trees and mountains and chirping birds. It's an exception to the usual outdoor or festival gig."

WATCHHOUSE
​(MANDOLIN ORANGE)

"The combination of a  natural kind of music with a natural setting, you've got that at Lime Kiln, it's just a
slam dunk." 

DARRELL SCOTT

MORE INFO?

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