Capital Fund Drive launched to purchase Peacock Playhouse
By FRANK BRADLEY Sentinel Writer

The Peacock Playhouse, a cultural icon for the past 25 years for Clay and surrounding counties, is about to be saved.

To be taken off life support, nursed back to health. To be bought, renovated, expanded, dressed up--making it more accessible to the public while encouraging greater community participation with increased opportunities for young aspiring singers, actors and dancers in the performing arts.

That is part of the vision expressed in the recent formation of a new not-for-profit organization which calls itself the Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association, Inc.

Its objective is to garner public and private support to raise in excess of three-quarters of a million dollars in order to purchase the building (estimated value at $3 to $4 million), to replace its roof (which leaks like a sieve), to expand restroom facilities, improve parking and add an additional theatre box for rehearsal space, which would enable the playhouse to hold more public performances.

The Corporation was formed because of the threatened loss of the theatre due to the deterioration of the facility and the current owners wish to sell it, according to Rufus Stark, president of the new association.

In a press conference on Monday, Stark provided an historical perspective to the theatre.

"The Peacock Playhouse was built through the vision and determination of one Lilith Lidseen, a most remarkable woman," Stark said. "Her brother, Edwin Lidseen, a Chicago industrialist, opened a metal fabrication plant in Clay County in the early 1950's. Lilith enjoyed visiting her brother and it eventually became her permanent home. She brought with her a formal education in the dramatic arts."

"In the late 1960's, Joyce McSwain, musical director at the high school, was interested in presenting a musical. She chose "Brigadoon" and while confident of her musical leadership, she needed help with the theatrical production. She solicited the help of Lilith Lidseen, who accepted the challenge. The 1970 production was a huge success. It ignited a flame of enthusiasm for the performing arts in Clay County, and led Lilith to make a huge contribution to the county in the form of the Peacock Playhouse.

Stark explained that Ms. Lidseen helped with other performances of community theatre. That the theatre group, which was known as "Licklog Players" were forever looking for a place to perform for they had no home venue. That is when Ms. Lidseen had a vision for a playhouse for the performing arts in Clay County.

Stark continued saying, "In 1980 she began the research and planning for the construction of a professional theater. She used the resources of an earlier philanthropic organization known as the Lidseen Foundation to build the theater, and she also invested a considerable amount of her personal funds toward the completion of the project.

Unfortunately, she died before seeing the completion of her vision," Stark said. Stark went on to say that the playhouse was completed through the efforts of the Licklog Players and the larger community. It has been in use for more than 25 years, providing a quality venue for the production of a long and splendid list of theater repertoire, and stands as a significant memorial to the vision, passion, determination and commitment of Ms. Lidseen.

"How then is the Peacock Playhouse threatened." Stark asked? "It is threatened," he said, "because the owner of the playhouse, which is the Lidseen Foundation, wishes to sell it. Several attempts to sell have been made in recent years. Also, there is the urgent need for major maintenance. It is the view of this corporation that it would be a serious loss to Clay County and the surrounding communities for this gift of Lilith Lidseen to fall into private ownership, possibly making it unavailable to the community.

"It is the intention of the Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association, Inc. to take immediate steps to purchase the Peacock Playhouse, thus assuring a home venue for the Licklog Players and a place for the development of the performing arts," Stark said.

"Efforts are currently underway to launch a capital funds campaign to raise the necessary means to purchase, maintain and manage the Peacock Playhouse on behalf of all citizens," Stark added.

He said funds will be solicited from individuals, private foundations, governmental foundations, local governments and civic and social organizations.

The Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association, Inc., which is chartered in North Carolina as a non-forprofit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt corporation includes as members of its board of directors: Rufus Stark, President; Jane Hindsman, Vice-President; Jim Padgett, Treasurer; Gail Criss, Secretary, Dave Larson, Dan Norton, Denise Osborn, Howard Reynolds and David Spivey.

Contributions are income tax deductible and may be made payable to and sent to Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association, Inc., PO Box 1426, Hayesville, NC 28904.