After Four Successful Years, Stern to Depart Masonic Theatre
Foundation to Begin Search for New Executive Director |
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CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (Ja, 9, 2020) Today the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation Board of Directors announced Jeff Stern’s resignation as Executive Director of the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation. Since 2016, Jeff has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization. During Jeff’s tenure, the Masonic has realized many significant accomplishments, including:
â—Ź Since reopening in July 2016, the Theatre and Amphitheatre have hosted or presented more than 495 unique ticketed, community, and private events.
â—Ź The Foundation has welcomed more than 260,000 visitors into our facilities.
● Thirty-five percent of the organization’s events have been free of charge and open to everyone.
â—Ź The Historic Masonic Theatre supported $2.3 million in economic impact in the Alleghany Highlands. Economic activity associated with the visitors helps support over 35 jobs per year in the Alleghany Highlands for 2018.*
â—Ź The Foundation increased paid staff from one to seven and produced an overall economic output of $709,659 in the regional economy in 2018.*
â—Ź The Foundation successfully completed a $1,000,000 fundraising campaign to fulfill the vision of its founding leader John Hillert.
(*Based on a recently completed independently produced economic impact study.)
Over the next few months, the Foundation will be conducting a search to find a new Executive Director. During this transition period, the priority will be finding the best individual to lead and maintain a stable and effective organization. The job announcement will be posted soon.
“Jeff’s leadership has been inspiring,” said Foundation Chair Gayle Hillert. “His knowledge and experience resulted in so many successes. Jeff immediately understood and embraced the vision of the Theatre and Amphitheatre as a community gathering space. We cannot thank him enough for the dedication, passion, enthusiasm, and motivation he has given the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation. We know that the decision for his transition did not come easily. Since March 2018, he has been commuting daily to the Theatre from his home in Strasburg two hours away. So we are pleased that he has agreed to remain in his position through the transition process and that he has committed to support our future efforts in an advisory capacity.”
“As we work together to make this transition, we hope to have the community’s support and help in identifying candidates who can help the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation build upon these accomplishments.”
For Stern, the transition is bittersweet. “I am extremely proud of all that the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation has accomplished during my time in Clifton Forge,” he said. “I hold dear to my heart the relationships I’ve built during my time as Executive Director. Unfortunately, the commute has taken a toll on my life in numerous ways both professional and personal. I am grateful to the leaders of the Foundation board for working with me to find ways to lessen the impact of my commute. Ultimately, I concluded that is in our mutual best interest for me to step down from my position.”
He continued, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of the organization and of me personally over the years: staff, board members, volunteers, and, of course, our community partners and Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre patrons. Without these remarkable people, the organization would not be as strong and vibrant as it is. I am so honored to have been the leader of this incredible organization and will continue my support in an advisory capacity as it continues to strengthen the heart of this community.”
Once known as The Mason Hall and Opera House, The Historic Masonic Theatre was constructed in 1905 and throughout its history hosted political speakers, William Jennings Bryan in 1908, western movie icons like Lash LaRue, Tex Ritter who performed on stage with his horse, White Fang, and Cowboy Bob Steele. Masonic Lodge 166 conducted its meetings in the third-floor ballroom. In addition to meetings and shows, the Theatre hosted silent movies; and later, talkies, vaudeville, newsreels, classic movies and film and stage stars.
The Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation was formed in 2009 and its main goal was to preserve and protect this valuable community asset. Years of fund-raising ensued and in April 2015, reconstruction began on the Historic Masonic Theatre with all funding in place and historically accurate architectural drawings focused on restoring the original elements and beauty of the 1905 Theatre.
The 6.7-million-dollar renovation has rehabilitated all four floors of the Theatre, the third-floor ballroom warming kitchen and studios, the balcony level with offices and conference room, the auditorium with stage and lobby, and the lower level dressing rooms, concessions and underground lounge that looks out onto Smith Creek. The fully renovated Theatre re-opened in July 2016 and has been busy serving the community since that time. | | | | | |
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