THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504120123
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AHOSKIE LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Lottie Lassiter answered her phone - ``Gallery Theatre.''
She was home.
Lassiter is trying to break a habit she acquired in 1987, when she became executive director of the Gallery. The title is gone, but she is lingering.
``I walked over to the office and began helping with sets - didn't think a thing about it,'' said Lassiter, who retired last month. ``I hope to be onstage in the future and do some directing. I want to stay active in those areas.''
Karen Knowles, active with the Gallery since 1989, took over as executive director.
``Coming in behind Lottie,'' she said. ``I'll have some big shoes to fill.''
The lady with the size 8s had many dreams. A few got lost in the shuffle - most were realized.
``I would like to have seen the orchestra pit completed and the stage repaired. Well, there are plans,'' Lassiter said. ``One of my dreams I hope comes true is to have a small theater and a rehearsal hall for lectures and recitals, where the balcony's located.''
As for the dreams that came true, the one that gives Lassiter the most pride is ``that we grew from a few to many people being affected by our programs.''
``We've been a force of positive change in a lot of peoples' lives, allowing them to have outlets through cultural pursuits they would not have had otherwise.''
She referred to presentations by visiting companies with programs involving drama, dance and singing.
``Our outreach includes so many people in the Roanoke-Chowan area,'' said Lassiter, who served as the second president of the Board of Directors and, in 1969, co-directed the Gallery's first play.
The musical with the intriguing title, ``Old West and Go-Go Girls,'' raised enough money to buy spotlights for the Gallery, which dates to 1917, when it offered a mix of vaudeville and movies.
The vaudeville stopped in the 1940s, the movies in 1961. The theater group entered in 1966.
Thanks to donations from private foundations, plus some federal and state grants, air conditioning has been installed, a new roof was put on, the lobby was repaired and the wiring was changed.
The ticket booth and confection stand date back to opening day.
What's next - hopefully? Knowles and Tommy Kiff, the house manager, have their own dreams.
``I'd like to see a Gallery ensemble, a group of performers, go out for community functions,'' Knowles said. ``I'd like to see scholarships offered to students who have been active with us and want to come back and work with us.
``I'd like to bring in more performances from East Carolina University,'' she said. ``I'd like to bring in choral groups, gospel sings. I want something for everybody.'' ILLUSTRATION: File photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Karen Knowles, right, has replaced Lottie Lassiter as executive
director of the Gallery Theatre. Tommy Kiff, left, is her
assistant.
by CNB