House Concurrent Resolution 1

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TUPELO COMMUNITY THEATRE ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, COMMEMORATING A RICH LEGACY OF ARTISTIC AND THESPIAN CULTURE, PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND THEATRICAL APPRECIATION.

WHEREAS, born from the dreams of 16 hardy souls who met in the spring of 1969, the Tupelo Community Theatre was organized to develop, promote, teach and stimulate interest in the dramatic arts, and now celebrates the auspicious occasion of its 40th year anniversary, commemorating a rich legacy of artistic and Thespian culture, preservation, education and theatrical appreciation; and

WHEREAS, from the date of its founding with charter members Marilyn Bank, Sandy Ford, Martha Geddie, Rowland Geddie, Bill Hitch, Martha Hitch, Jack Kellum, Linda Kinsey, Gus Liveakos, Ruth Liveakos, Mary Alice McAllister, Margaret Ann Murphey, Jerry Napier, Jean Pettis, Edith Thomas and Charlotte Westbrook, 142 board members have contributed almost 800 years of service to Tupelo Community Theatre, and countless thousands of hours have been provided to the theatre by volunteer actors, directors and technicians; and

WHEREAS, since its first curtain call, in its adaptation and production of Laura, on October 2, 1969, at the Church Street School Auditorium under the direction of founding member, Ruth Liveakos, Tupelo Community Theatre has presented more than 250 different productions, experienced by a following exceeding 200,000 theatre connoisseurs; and

WHEREAS, in the formative years of its existence, Tupelo Community Theatre was a gypsy troupe, performing wherever there was available space, presenting its performances at diverse locations until 1976, when the theatre purchased an old church building on Tupelo's East Main and, within a month's time, had transformed it into a theatre ready for its first production — The Best Man, directed by Celia Fleishhacker, and thus gave the Tupelo Community Theatre's East Main building its prominence as a community fixture; and

WHEREAS, while fond memories remain of the old playhouse, its limitations were legion, and when the opportunity presented itself to purchase the Lyric Theatre in 1984, the theatre moved full steam ahead with its premiere production of On Golden Pond in May 1985, marking the beginning of its first full season in the Lyric, which expanded to consists of four regular season productions, including a full-scale musical presentation each year held during Gumtree Weekend; and

WHEREAS, having poised itself for greatness and success in its every endeavor from its inception, the Tupelo Community Theatre, in 2001, 2004 and 2008, won the "Best Production" at the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival, and its 2004 production of Bel Canto was one of the winners at the Southeastern Theatre Conference Festival, and thus establishing itself as a prolific organization dedicated to providing the most intriguing and engaging dramatic experience in association with its theatrical productions; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the zeal of such organizations as the Tupelo Community Theatre, which has exemplified its commitment to the promotion of excellence in the arts through theatre:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Tupelo Community Theatre on the occasion of its 40th anniversary celebration, commemorating a rich legacy of artistic and Thespian culture, preservation, education and theatrical appreciation, and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Board of Directors of the Tupelo Community Theatre and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.