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The Clarksville School in the 1970s, 1940s, and 1930s,

    01/15

    A Bit of Our History

    When you drive into Clarksville up Highway 15 as if you're coming from the NC Border, the first stoplight causes you to look directly across the road at a strip mall, a veteran's memorial, and our theater. Way back in the day, before the strip mall was built, the Clarksville School stood on this property. 


    The main academic building, known as the Clarksville High School, was built in 1915 and stood behind the theater on slight hill, about where the library currently stands. The Clarksville High School was a beautiful brick building with huge windows on the front and west rear side - it had two floors and a basement; with the first floor containing 6 classrooms, the second floor containing 5 classrooms, a bathroom, and two small offices, and the basement containing another bathroom, the boiler room, storage areas, and one classroom. Near where the Dollar General stands today stood the playground area, and closer to the Subway end of the strip mall stood the two smaller brick buildings: the Agricultural Building and the Cannery. The Agricultural Building was constructed in 1933 and contained 3 classrooms, while the Cannery was constructed in 1944 to serve the community as part of the War Emergency Program during WWII. After the Agricultural Building, the next addition to the Clarksville School was the Annex - which is now known as the Clarksville Fine Arts Center. Built in 1934 with funds from The Works Progress Administration, the Annex contained 4 large classrooms, 1 small classroom, and auditorium, and 2 bathrooms. Eventually, the Annex transitioned from being an extension of the High School to serve as the Clarksville Elementary School. Behind the Annex/Elementary School on top of a hill stood the Home Economics Building. This two-level brick structure (main floor with steps going down into a basement) contained the cafeteria for the school as well as the Home Economics Department.  


    In the spring of 1973, the Clarksville Community Development Council initiated the formation of the Clarksville Community Players. At an organizational meeting in June, officers were elected and plans were made for a production to be presented in the fall of 1973. This play, "Life with Father", was funded by the Development Council, and the three-night run of the show was so successful that CCP was able to repay the funds from the Development Council as well as have some working capital left over for the next production! Come springtime of 1974, CCP applied for and were granted a charter as a non-profit corporation so recognized in the State of Virginia. 


    In 1985, the Clarksville High School was demolished, along with several other structures that made up the Clarksville School complex; however, the Elementary School and cupola that sat atop the High School were saved by Town Manager Carl Dean & the Clarksville Community Players. The Home Economics Building was also spared and was converted as the Mecklenburg County YMCA. 


    In 2011, CCP restored the cupola, kicking off the extensive renovations that have since taken place. The Sittin' Pretty Campaign also restored the seats that same year. 


    In 2013, CCP completed Phase 1 of the Clarksville Fine Arts Center Renovations in the space where the Clarksville Police Department was previously located. 


    In 2014, the Clarksville Community Players completed the herculean task of asbestos removable and moisture abatement within our costume room. 


    Since completing that task, our theater has slowly and steadily undergone serious renovations; completely redoing the lobby, building a new booth for sound & lights, adding a new HVAC system, upgrading our sound equipment, replacing our old tree lights and over stage lights to an LED stage lighting system, adding a new women's restroom in the lobby, investing in beautiful new curtains for our stage, and most recently, adding professional-level makeup lights around the large mirror in the dressing room.

    Want to get in touch?

     

    We are located at:

    914 Virginia Avenue Clarksville, VA 29327


    Office Hours:

    Tuesday: 10:30am-2:30pm

    Wednesday: 2:30pm-6:30pm

    Thursday: 10:30am-2:30pm 


    Our PO Box:

    P.O. Box 952 Clarksville, VA 23927


    Theater Office Phone:

    Landline & answering machine:

    (434) 374-0058

    For time sensitive matters only:

    (919) 909 -1011


    Our Emails: 

    clarksvilleplayers@gmail.com

    info@clarksvilleplayers.org


    Please be aware that the theater office landline & answering machine is only checked during office hours. The best way to get a speedy reply to any questions or issues is to reach out to us through email. 

    If you have a time sensitive matter, you may call or text the 919 number - just be aware that all phone calls from unfamiliar numbers will go straight to voicemail first before receiving a return call. 

     


    Virginia Department of Historic Resources - "Clarksville Historic District"

    Past Performances Through the Years

    Download PDF

    President               Charlie Simmons

    Vice President           Josh Glasscock

    Treasurer                         Mike Rowe

    Secretary                            Sue Hunt

    Director                 James Bellissimo

    Director            Maureen Bellissimo

    Director                     Jemylah Carter

    Director                     Zorona Maples

    Director                  Lyn Kessie-Smith

    Director                   Valerie Garrison

    Director                     Cindy Williams


      

    Copyright © 2025 Clarksville Community Players - All Rights Reserved.



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