Our History

Welcome to Our Theatre Family!

We are absolutely thrilled you're exploring the rich history of E.C. Glass Theatre! Our century-long journey has been filled with captivating performances, national recognition, and a deep commitment to making theatre accessible to everyone. We'd be honored to have you become a part of our future. Whether you're interested in auditioning for an upcoming production, enjoying our next show as a patron, helping us continue our legacy as a donor, partnering with us as a sponsor, or lending your time and talents as a volunteer, there's a place for you in our theatre family. Come experience the magic of E.C. Glass Theatre – we can't wait to welcome you!

EC Glass Theatre is an integral part of E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, and has a rich history tied to the school's long-standing commitment to the arts.

History and Synopsis:

• Early Beginnings (1909-1911): The dramatic arts at E.C. Glass High School (originally Lynchburg High School) trace their roots back to the 1909-1910 school year with the formation of the Lynchburg High School Dramatic Society by English teacher Miss Mattie Craighill. Their first production, "The Doctor's Dilemma" (written by a student, Annie Woodruff), premiered in 1911.

• Renaming and Growth (1920s - mid-20th Century): In 1920, the school was renamed E.C. Glass High School, honoring Edward Christian Glass, a long-serving Superintendent of Lynchburg Public Schools. The dramatic society continued to evolve alongside the school.

• The Modern Era and Jim Ackley's Influence (1980s-2012): The E.C. Glass Theatre program truly gained national recognition under the direction of Jim Ackley, a Virginia Military Institute graduate. During his 32-year tenure (which ended with his retirement in 2012), the program achieved remarkable success:

  • They won four Virginia theatre championships in the 1980s and 1990s.

  • They were selected five times to perform on the Main Stage at the Educational Theatre Association National Convention.

  • They were named high school theatre champions twice by the American High School Theatre Festival.

  • Perhaps most impressively, Glass Theatre represented the United States at the Edinburgh (Scotland) International Arts Festival Fringe five times, performing to sold-out audiences and receiving critical acclaim.

  • In 1991, the U.S. Congress recognized the E.C. Glass Senior Acting Drama Class Students with the "Young Writers and Inventor's Award" for their play "Going Toward the Light."

• Continued Excellence and Accessibility (Post-2012 to Present): After Jim Ackley's retirement, Mr. E. Tom Harris directed the program for seven years, followed by E.C. Glass alumna and former Broadway and film actor, Allison Daugherty, who took over in 2019. The theatre program continues to offer a full range of acting and technical theatre opportunities for students. Notably, E.C. Glass Theatre has a long-standing commitment to accessibility, regularly featuring shadow-interpreted performances in American Sign Language (ASL) for deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members. This innovative approach integrates interpreters into the onstage action, enhancing the experience for all.

• The E.C. Glass Civic Auditorium: The performances of the E.C. Glass Theatre program take place in the E.C. Glass Civic Auditorium, a substantial venue. It seats 1,560 on the orchestra level and 544 in the balcony, with the flexibility to limit seating to 1,000 using a movable partition for smaller audiences. The auditorium is well-equipped with sound and lighting systems, dressing rooms, and an orchestra pit capable of accommodating 40 musicians. Interested in renting this space? Email @thompsoncy@lcsedu.net

• The E.C. Glass Alumni Studio Theatre: