Tom Thayer, Managing Director, has been with the Roxy Regional Theatre since it's inception in 1983, in this position. Training includes: Austin Peay State University, Lambuth College, and he is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC. While living in New York he worked as a public relations liason for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, created and taught dance programs at the Dwight School and created and taught young dramatics for the Rhodes School. He is the founder of the Clarksville Theatre Guild as well as the Roxy Regional Theatre. He has performed off-broadway as well as throughout the South. He currently serves as a guest instructor at Austin Peay State University and directs as well as instructs the musical theatre series.

John McDonald, Artistic Director, has also been with the Roxy Regional Theatre since 1983. Training include University of Memphis as well as a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, under a full scholarship from ABC Broadcasting. He has taught for the American Academy, The Rhodes School, The Dwight School and the Hewitt School. Performance credits include: Broadway, The Long Wharf Theatre, New York Shakespeare Festival, The WPA Theatre and many more. As a playwright: Till We Meet Again, The Noble Heart, The Dunbar Cave Dance of 1938, Mr. Dorian Grey Sir and many more. He has received the Ingram Acting Fellowship as well as Outstanding Playwright Award.

Together, in 1983, they opened the Roxy Regional Theatre producing over 200 productions in their 18 year history. They also created the Roxy's Professional Company, which, through selected productions in school curriculum, has reached thousands of school aged children. In the summer, they both serve as directors of the Summer Drama Camp, which is sponsored in conjunction with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Dept. They were recently awarded the Ovation Award from the Austin Peay State University Center of Creative Arts.

OUR HISTORY

Since the early 1900's the corner of Franklin and First has been the anchor for Clarksville's entertainment community. The Lillian, built in 1912, was the first theatre on this corner. Following a fire in 1913, the Lillian was rebuilt and saw thousands of patrons enjoying first run movies.

Upon entering the white and green enamel brick Italianate facade, patrons enjoyed a lobby sparkling with glass plate mirrors and 300 electric lights. The auditorium was furnished with 650 opera chairs, handpainted murals and a projection screen of rough Russian linen impregnated with gold, bronze and mercury amalgam. Following a fire in 1945, and with the advent of Fort Campbell, the Lillian was completely rebuilt and at last became The Roxy. A sleek exterior featuring a new lighting called neon beaconed movie goers from miles around. Opening in 1947, The Roxy entertained Clarksvillians with first run movies until 1980.

The Roxy sat vacant for three years until Tom Thayer and John McDonald came on the scene. Thayer a native of Clarksville and McDonald, a native of Memphis, had been searching for a building to house a dinner-theatre; Roxy filled the bill. Opening on Nov. 3, 1983, The Roxy Regional Theatre was reborn into a live theatre and quickly became "...the cornerstone of downtown re-developement..."

For the first two years, patrons could enjoy a meal and first rate entertainment such as Mack and Mabel, Once in a Lifetime, Sugar, George M!, Toys in the Attic and numerous others. Due to large financial overhead and under capitalization, the theatre was restructured into a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, with a volunteer board of directors who not only own the building but oversee activities.

Productions in those first years as a non-profit organization included the award winning Follies, The Glass Menagerie and a Junior Company production of The Boyfriend, all winners of the First Night Award for Outstanding Productions. Original works such as The Noble Heart, a musical about Tennessee hero Sam Davis as well as regional premieres of Candide, Assassins, Starmites and The Secret Garden were also seen.

In 1995 a massive $80,000 renovation took place. A restructuring of the lobby, and auditorium brings the theatre to it's current state. 1995 also brought the formation of the Roxy Professional Company. In order to supply the great demand for Shakespeare, Greek classics, school curriculum and holiday shows and to enlarge it's outreach services to the community, a professional company was created to augment the community productions. The community season includes summer fare while the professional season is dedicated to bringing classics to the stage. Productions have included the American premiere of A Tale of Two Cities, the Steinbeck classics Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath, Long Days Journey Into Night, Antigone while community highlights have included the regional premieres of Triumph of Love, Side Show, The Rocky Horror Show, The Who's Tommy, Chess as well as such blockbusters as Grease, Smoke on the Mountain, Carousel and Damn Yankees.

Over 250 mainstage productions since 1983 ~
Over 10,000 students attend yearly ~
Over 18,000 regular patrons annually ~
Over 12 local artists exhibit annually ~
Numerous national and regional commercials ~
The Roxy Regional Theatre continues to
"...blaze new trails....."

PAST SEASONS

1983~MACK AND MABEL.ONCE IN A LIFETIME.BARNUM.1984~TOYS IN THE ATTIC.SUGAR.VANITIES.SHE LOVES ME.MORNINGS AT SEVEN.I REMEMBER MAMA.GEORGE M!.TINTYPES.CABARET.THE SHADOW BOX.SWEENEY TODD.TILL WE MEET AGAIN.THE LION IN WINTER.SHOWBOAT.1985~STARTING HERE,STARTING NOW.CHAPTER TWO.FUNNY GIRL.CRIMES OF THE HEART.APPLAUSE.A LIFE IN THE THEATRE.HELLO,DOLLY.HAIR.I DO! I DO!.GODSPELL.THE BOYFRIEND.WORKING.THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.A MEMBER OF THE WEDDING.EVITA.MR. DORIAN GRAY SIR.A HATFUL OF RAIN.PETER PAN.EVELYN WHITE IN CONCERT.RED,HOT AND BLUE.1986~NINE.THE COUNTRY GIRL.ALL THE WAY HOME.CHICAGO.THE LILLIAN: AN UNBRIEF HISTORY.MASS APPEAL.A CHORUS LINE.A TENNESSEE WALTZ.OVER HERE.A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.GOODTIME CHARLEY.THE STUDENT PRINCE.MY FAIR LADY.CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD.A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE.JACK THE RIPPER.AMADEUS.BABES IN TOYLAND.MELVA BOYD IN CONCERT.1987~EQUUS.MY ONE AND ONLY.MACBETH.70,GIRLS,70.THE DRESSER.SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.KISS ME,KATE.1776.MAN OF LA MANCHA.CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.THE NEW MOON.SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.CINDERELLA.1988~THE ELEPHANT MAN.THE RINK.AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE.DAMES AT SEA.ROMEO AND JULIET.OKLAHOMA.A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.TEDDY AND ALICE.THE THREEPENNY OPERA.ANNIE.THE KING AND I.THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.OLIVER.1989~THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN.THE OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB.HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS.ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.ZORBA.GREASE.ANIMAL CRACKERS.OUR TOWN.DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT.1990~THE TEMPEST.PIPPIN.MAYTIME.ON GOLDEN POND.NUNSENSE.STEEL MAGNOLIAS.CAMELOT.THE NOBLE HEART.THE GLASS MENAGERIE.PETER PAN.1991~THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.THE SOUND OF MUSIC.PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES.THE FANTASTICKS.DRIVING MISS DAISY.BIG RIVER.FOLLIES.I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER.A CHRISTMAS CAROL.1992~FOR COLORED GIRLS.DOROTHY DIX SPEAKS.JULIUS CAESAR.WEST SIDE STORY.ANGRY HOUSEWIVES.THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE.YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN.INTO THE WOODS.GYPSY.ASSASSINS.THE BELLE OF AMHERST.THE WIZARD OF OZ.1993~A THOUSAND CLOWNS.MY CHILDREN,MY AFRICA.MACBETH.MUSIC MAN.NUNSENSE.ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.THE BOYFRIEND.FOXFIRE.1940'S RADIO HOUR.MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS.THE GLASS MENAGERIE.SLEEPING BEAUTY.1994~A RAISIN IN THE SUN.HAMLET.JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN.ON BORROWED TIME.CARNIVAL.STARMITES.SECRET GARDEN.CANDIDE.THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.A CHRISTMAS CAROL.1995~AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'.ROMEO AND JULIET.EVITA.FALSETTOS.ANNE OF GREEN GABLES.VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE.JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.BILOXI BLUES.DUNBAR CAVE DANCE.SWEENEY TODD.JANE EYRE.GIFT OF THE MAGI.1996~ 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION.A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.PASSION.SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER.AN INSPECTOR CALLS.ONCE ON THIS ISLAND.ALL IN THE TIMING.GUYS AND DOLLS.THE BOYS NEXT DOOR.THE WHO'S TOMMY.A TALE OF TWO CITIES.ANNIE WARBUCKS.SCROOGE,MARLEY AND CO.1997~3 TALL WOMEN.THE ME NOBODY KNOWS.RICHARD III.ANYTHING GOES.DAS BARBEQU.THE BAD DEBUDANTE'S BALL.THE LITTLE WOMEN.US IN '45.RUTHLESS.LI'L ABNER.TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.PETER PAN.THE FROG PRINCE.1998~LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT.KING LEAR.CUMBERLAND.CHILDREN OF EDEN.FOREVER PLAID.RUNAWAYS.DAMN YANKEES.TRIUMPH OF LOVE.GRAPES OF WRATH.HANSEL AND GRETEL.1999~WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?.HENRY V.SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE.THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE.SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN.GREASE.SIDE SHOW.OF MICE AND MEN.THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF.THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP.2000~THE GLASS MENAGERIE.TAMING OF THE SHREW.THE LEANING TREE.CAROUSEL.RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET.BIG RIVER.CHESS.THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.GRIMM TALES.2001~DEATH OF A SALESMAN.R&J.THE STRANGE CHILDREN.ANTIGONE.TITANIC.NUNSENSE 2.SWEET CHARITY.FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS.BEST HALF FOOT FORWARD.FLOYD COLLINS.SISTER MARY IGATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL.WAITING FOR WOOD.HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE.SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY.MORE AND DIF'RENT GRIMM TALES.2002~THE BELLE OF AMHERST.HAMLET.ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.BEN AND HIS VIRTUES.ANDROCLES AND THE LION.CYRANO.COTTON PATCH GOSPEL.CABARET. PUTTING IT TOGETHER. THE LARAMIE PROJECT. AESOP'S FABLES. 2003~ HAVING OUR SAY. MACBETH. ELECTRA. SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK. BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. PICNIC. FOOTLOOSE. ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE. THE LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC. INHERIT THE WIND. BOY GETS GIRL. THE SANTALAND DIARIES. THE BEST OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM. 2004`A DELICATE BALANCE. DRIVING MISS DAISY. THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. TWELFTH NIGHT. THE TROJAN WOMEN. QUILTERS. THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER. THE BAD SEED. PECOS BILL. THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE. KILLER JOE. A PHOENIX TO FREQUENT. DRACULA. THE MIRACLE WORKER. THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE. PINOCCHIO. 2005. ALL MY SONS. A WOMAN CALLED TRUTH. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. OEDIPUS REX. A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. THE SHAPE OF THINGS. MISS SAIGON. THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WLM. SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED). MY FAIR LADY. FRANKENSTEIN. I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER. THE SUBJECT TONIGHT IS LOVE. A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 2006.THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER. BESSIE: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF BESSIE SMITH. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. BYE BYE BIRDIE. THE GRADUATE. BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. AIDA. JEKYL AND HYDE. AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. 2007. MITTENS, MOPPET AND TOME KITTEN. THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE. OTHELLO. A LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI. THE DINOSAUR MUSICAL. THE FULL MONTY. THE LITTLE FOXES. CHICAGO. GREASE. THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY. A DOLL'S HOUSE. THE CHIMES. FAERY TALES. 2008. MY WAY. JULIUS CAESAR. TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE. SEUSSICAL. BASH. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. THE CHILDRENS HOUR. ALL SHOOK UP. THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM. THE WAR OF THE WORLD'S. THE CRUCIBLE. KEY EXCHANGE. A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 2009. PINOCCHIO. ALTAR BOYZ. MACBETH. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. CATS. HONK!. CINDERELLA JR. THE ANDREWS BROTHERS. MULAN, JR. RENT.