Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 8, 1994                   TAG: 9406210040
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THEATER GROUP HONORS ARTIST JOHN WILL CREASY

Creasy served on the board from January 1966 to October 1992 - a period that encompassed the theater's years on Mill Mountain, the 1976 fire that destroyed its mountain home, its move to the Grandin Theatre and finally its permanent installation as one of the resident organizations of Center in the Square.

The recipient was cited for his "gentle persuasiveness" as a member of the board and for his guidance in public relations and marketing the theater. "He made us look better than we could have paid a professional to do," said fellow Curtain Caller Betty Carr Muse.

Creasy is a well-known watercolorist and retired advertising executive who has long been a supporter of arts and cultural organizations in his native Roanoke Valley. In addition to Mill Mountain Theatre, they include Opera Roanoke, the Roanoke Symphony, Arts at Old First, Showtimers, the Art Museum of Western Virginia and the Museum of Theater History, which he helped to found. He also was a founder of the Virginia Watercolor Society.

The Summit Award is an occasional presentation of the Curtain Callers for outstanding contributions to Mill Mountain Theatre. Roanoke businessman/philanthropist George Cartledge, a founder of Center in the Square and longtime supporter of the theater, was the first recipient.