Priscilla Richardson

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After the death of founder Geraldine Lawson, the question "Will Attic continue?" never arose. Rather, members and supporters asked, "Who will fill Geraldine's shoes?"

It now takes two people to do what she used to do in the 12 years of Attic Productions. After all, Lawson lived and breathed the theater day and night. By force of her determination, hard work and leadership, she not only created the organization but also oversaw the building of the theater. The result is that you now can attend shows at the D. Geraldine Lawson Performing Arts Center on U.S. 220 near Fincastle.

Because the new leaders are equals, I had to toss a coin to decide who would go first. Artistic/Executive Director Cathy Henderson of Fincastle won the toss. James River High School students know her as the one who has, for the past eight years, directed the plays for the High School League Theater Program competition. She did this in her spare time after a full-time job and in addition to her work for Attic and raising her now college-age children. She's been working 31 years as a mechanical designer at Gala Industries. No, she's not retired. She just gets it all in, and gives credit to Gala for allowing her to be flexible in her time off.

She got her start in Attic when "Geraldine pulled us in," she said, referring to her situation and that of others. That also was how Board President Marsha Campbell, also of Fincastle, Henderson's co-leader, came in. You may know Campbell as the wife of Louis Campbell, General District Court judge for Botetourt and Craig counties.

"In 1995 Geraldine asked me to make the costumes for a show called 'The 3½ Musketeers,' " she said. Because Campbell sews so well -- she sews as a side business -- she agreed. She has never looked back, she said. Campbell's position is the unpaid equivalent to that of a CEO, whereas Henderson's role is more artistic.

Campbell said she "just always volunteered, starting in college and now in church groups here."

Volunteering is the order of the day at Attic. For example, Henderson works on the set crew, as part of the box office team and as season tickets manager. Campbell, also the mother of a college-age student, is one of the set designers as well as a worker on the set crew. She's properties master and also works on the box office team, helping keep tickets straight.

One of Attic Productions' themes from the start has been to make a lot out of little. For example, the conference table and chairs that formed the set for a recent play were on loan from Fleetmaster Express Inc. Campbell sees to it that everything is recycled, from sets to costumes to props. She also thinks the word is out about Attic's need for donations.

Running concurrently with the regular Attic season is the youth ensemble season of six plays. John Lawson, son of Geraldine Lawson, writes all the group's plays. He's noted for making sure his works always have a part for anyone who wants one. One donor recently gave them decorations being discarded by Elizabeth Arden. As Campbell said, that meant "the color scheme for their next play will be silver and purple."

Don't confuse that youth group with the Botetourt Children's Theater, Attic's partnership organization that comprises a group of adult Attic players. It started last year under the sponsorship of the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, with sponsorship this year from the Bank of Botetourt. The troupe takes plays to every kindergarten and first-grade public-school class in the county. If you're not in kindergarten or first grade, you can come to the theater to see "The True Story of the Tortoise and the Hare" for free at 10 a.m. March 31.

Nobody gets paid to work for Attic. As Campbell said, "I'm happy to give this service to the community. Botetourt is a wonderful place to live. I can't think of anyplace better."