HISTORY •TEAM• MISSION• EXPERIENCE

OuR HIStory

Lime Kiln Theater is rooted in and inspired by the magic of a natural, outdoor theater. 
​
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 45,000 people across 80 concerts. The Bowl, Lime Kiln's main stage, has a sellable capacity of 675 guests, selling out nearly every show over the past seven 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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​​Spencer has served as Lime Kiln Theater's Executive Director since its rebirth in 2013 and is a 2009 graduate in Physics from Washington and Lee University. He has been active in the music business as a promoter since his early days in college, co-founding Elysian Fields Music Festival in 2008. Along with his work in the music business, Spencer works locally with defense contractor Dynovis, Inc. as a Principal and Director of Operations. Above all, Spencer enjoys playing guitar, and is occasionally a special guest at Lime Kiln shows.

KimBERLY Passmore
MARKETING DIRECTOR

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Kimberly joined the Lime Kiln team in October of 2020 as our Associate Director. In 2022 she stepped into the role of Marketing Director where she oversees Lime Kiln’s creative direction through a wide range of marketing and communications initiatives, while also coordinating box office and volunteer management. Kimberly moved to Lexington in 2019 from Boulder, Colorado. With a degree in Communications from Lee University, Kim has worked in graphic design, marketing, and event coordination both in the US and the UK over the past 15 years. When not working at Lime Kiln, you can find her working as a freelance designer, or hanging out with her friends and family on the farm.

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.

JON VANCE
SITE MANAGER

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Jon, a Fairfield VA native, attained a degree in Forestry from Virginia Tech before working on our event staff team in 2022. In 2023 he transitioned to the role of Site Manager where he maintains the Lime Kiln property, including upgrades to structures and landscaping and upkeep of the trees and historic structures. Jon loves to see the progress of his work and have it appreciated by the community. In his spare time Jon enjoys his hobby as a musician, visiting new places, and hunting and fishing whenever he can.
 

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.

Chuck Smith
board PRESIDENT

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Chuck has been a supporter of Lime Kiln since moving to Lexington from Atlanta back in 1991. You might know him from Washington Street Purveyors, which he opened in 1996. Chuck is currently serving his third term on Lexington City Council, and he also pinch-hits as a substitute teacher. This is his second year on the Lime Kiln board, and he also serves with other organizations that promote recreation and tourism in Rockbridge County. Chuck enjoys hiking with his family, golf, travel, music, and cooking.

MARGARET MCCLINTOCK
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

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A Mississippi Delta native, Margaret first experienced the magic of Lime Kiln when she was a student at Washington and Lee University, and she couldn’t wait to get involved upon her return to Lexington in 2019. Serving as a FOLK and then as a member of the operations committee, she is thrilled to continue giving back to a place that has been instrumental in making Virginia feel like home. Margaret currently works as the associate director for recreation at W&L and loves any opportunity to get outside.

Michele Hentz
Board TREASURER

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​​A native of Sleepy Hollow, New York, Michele has lived in Lexington since 1997. While new to the board, her love for theater and music drew her to Lime Kiln right away, as she served as the Development Director from 1997-99 and then as a FOLK. Michele's previous board experience includes Hull's Angels, Woods Creek Montessori, and Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services. She was also a member of Lexington City Council from 2017-20. Michele has over 35 years of work experience in non-profit development and finance management, including locally for Habitat for Humanity and Rockbridge Area Hospice. She is currently CFO at Rockbridge Area Health Center. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, travel, and attending performing arts events.

Sidney Baker
Board SECRETARY

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Sidney is a Lexington native who has been attending Lime Kiln shows since she was a small child. She currently works as a Registered Nurse with Carilion Clinic in general surgery and urology. Sidney has been a member and previous board member of the Lexington-Rockbridge Jaycees since 2017, and she has also served on many committees for the Lexington-Rockbridge Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her dogs, and being outdoors.

Thom Gill
​BOARD MEMBER

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Thom joined the board in 2021, but he and his wife Lornie have been great fans and supporters of Lime Kiln since they retired to Lexington in 2009. Thom has served on the board and as chair of both Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity and the Lexington Golf & Country Club. He is originally from Belleville, Ontario, but came to the U.S. in 1983 with Mobil Oil. Thom retired from Exxon Mobil Corporation’s headquarters in Dallas, and he is eager to assist in the growth and continuing improvement of Lime Kiln.

Lorri Olán
Board Member

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Lorri has been attending concerts, performances, and plays at Lime Kiln for more than 20 years. Currently working as a career advisor at Washington and Lee University, she graduated from the High School of Performing Arts in New York City and performed with Halestone Dance Studio for several years. She has previously served as executive director of Project Horizon and as board president of both the Alumni Association of Oberlin College and the Montessori Center for Children. Lorri’s three children have all performed at Lime Kiln, and she is happy to give back to the organization that has offered her family a wonderful creative outlet over the years.

Jon Ellestad
Board Member

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Jon has lived in Lexington for 30 years, including 24 as the City Manager. In addition to Lime Kiln, he has been a board member of four other local non-profit organizations: Kendal, the Area Agency on Aging, the Rockbridge Area Relief Association, and the Millers House Museum. Since his retirement from the City of Lexington, he has also stayed involved in local government by serving as interim town manager of both Buchanan and Glasgow. A Wisconsin native, Jon agonizes over the fortunes of the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, and Wisconsin Badgers.

Woody HarriS
Board Member

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Originally from Hanover County, Virginia, where he grew up on a farm, Woody ​moved to Rockbridge County 13 years ago. Having owned multiple businesses in the area, he is currently employed as the Morning Culinary Supervisor at Washington and Lee University, where he also coaches rugby and serves as the university's liaison to multiple charitable organizations. Music and community are Woody's two biggest passions. His words to live by: "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." 

Sarah Centorino
Board Member

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Born and raised in New Orleans, Sarah first fell in love with the Rockbridge area when she attended Washington and Lee University. After graduating from W&L, she earned a master's degree in marketing from the University of Virginia, going on to pursue a career in public relations and marketing in her native Louisiana. In 2019, she and her husband, Scott, found an opportunity to return to the Shenandoah Valley, and since then they've been living happily ever after in Lexington. Sarah loves the area for its history, natural beauty, and its wonderful people and music. She is vice president of the board of the United Way of Rockbridge and the Rockbridge Alumni Chapter of W&L. ​

George Huger
Board Member

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George is a Lexington native who has been attending shows at Lime Kiln since its inception in 1984. He has worked to support the theater in several different capacities throughout the years, from serving on the board to feeding the artists who perform at the venue. George and his wife Sue Ann purchased the Southern Inn Restaurant in 1998, and he continues to work as the chef and owner for the Lexington institution. He supports Lime Kiln because "it is great to have such incredible talent in our small town."

MANDY MILLER
​Board Member

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Mandy is a Rockbridge County native who attended James Madison University, earning a degree in Economics & Finance. She is currently the Office Manager at Southern Inn Restaurant and has worked there for over 20 years.  Mandy has previously served on the Main Street Lexington Board and is currently serving on several committees in the community including The Freedom Food Festival and the Bull & Oyster Festival.  She understands what a treasured asset Lime Kiln Theater is and is excited to be involved it’s development.  In her free time you will probably find her hanging out by the river at her home in Rockbridge Baths. 

​Clark SimCOE
BOARD MEMBER

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Clark has been visiting Rockbridge County since 2002 and he graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2011. He has lived in New Orleans, Seattle, and Denver but Rockbridge County has always been his second home since his parents retired to Lexington in 2010. In the summer of 2022, Clark and his family made the permanent move to Lexington. He has always been passionate about music and is excited to help grow and preserve the unique and remarkable venue of Lime Kiln. He works as a Registered Dietitian at Washington and Lee University and enjoys skiing, biking, cooking, gardening, winemaking, and general tinkering. 

​RICH WALLACE
​BOARD MEMBER

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Rich Wallace attended his first Lime Kiln concert in the mid-1990s, when he and his wife lived in Lexington, and has spent part of every year since. Having recently moved back full-time, Rich
joined the board in 2023 and is delighted to support Lime Kiln in return for years of joy
experienced in its unique setting. Rich is an environmental professional and a devotee of
nonprofit organizations, having spent most of the past 30 years in the nonprofit sector. He
currently works remotely for the DC-based Ecological Society of America, and helps to run a
small conservation science organization, the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, located in Jackson, Wyoming, just outside of Yellowstone National Park. Rich is a native of Brooklyn, NY, and his joys include family, nature, food, music, baseball, and locally-brewed beer.

​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. 

​MAGGIE IRBY
BOARD MEMBER

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Maggie, a Lexington native, has been enjoying Lime Kiln shows since they re-opened in 2013, and became an active volunteer when she moved back to Lexington in the spring of 2020.  Before moving back East, Maggie spent the first few years after graduating from Sewanee: The University of the South living in Jackson, Wyoming where she enjoyed skiing in the winters, and hiking and camping in the summers. Maggie currently works in Advancement Operations at Washington and Lee University. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys reading, walks along the Chessie trail, and skiing whenever she has the opportunity!

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?

Click here to view our media kit.