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Playwright Maryat Lee, lived on a farm near Hinton, Summers County, W. Va. that also served as the home of EcoTheater. She later moved to Lewisburg, W. Va. and continued teaching her theater methods there.Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.

1. Maryat Lee working in a studio

IDNO:
029577
Title:
Maryat Lee working in a studio
Date:
undated
Description:
Playwright Maryat Lee, lived on a farm near Hinton, Summers County, W. Va. that also served as the home of EcoTheater. She later moved to Lewisburg, W. Va. and continued teaching her theater methods there.Maryat Lee (born Mary Attaway Lee; May 26, 1923 – September 18, 1989) was an American playwright and theatre director who made important contributions to post-World War II avant-garde theatre. She pioneered street theatre in Harlem, and later founded EcoTheater in West Virginia, a community based theater project.Early in her career, Lee wrote and produced plays in New York City, including the street play “DOPE!” While in New York she also formed the Soul and Latin Theater (SALT), and wrote plays centered around the lives of the actors in the group.In 1970 Lee moved to West Virginia and formed the community theater group EcoTheater in 1975. Beginning with local teenagers from the Governor’s Summer Youth Program, the rural theater group grew, and produced plays based on oral histories collected from the local community. Each performance of an EcoTheater play involved audience participation and discussion. With the assistance of the Humanities Foundation of West Virginia, guest scholars became a part of EcoTheater.
Loomis pictured in overalls standing next to wooden crates.

2. W.M. Loomis In Front of His Marble Works Shop, Hinton, W. Va.

IDNO:
047199
Title:
W.M. Loomis In Front of His Marble Works Shop, Hinton, W. Va.
Date:
undated
Description:
Loomis pictured in overalls standing next to wooden crates.
Children of Jefferson L. "Bun" and Mary Lilly. In the back row, from left to right, is Floyd, Lena (Oakley), Prince, Orpha, Beecher, and Margaret. Bottom row is Nola, Oris, Granvil, Cosby, and Clarice. Oldest son, Oliver, is not pictured.

3. Family Portrait of Lilly Children, Hinton, W. Va.

IDNO:
048809
Title:
Family Portrait of Lilly Children, Hinton, W. Va.
Date:
undated
Description:
Children of Jefferson L. "Bun" and Mary Lilly. In the back row, from left to right, is Floyd, Lena (Oakley), Prince, Orpha, Beecher, and Margaret. Bottom row is Nola, Oris, Granvil, Cosby, and Clarice. Oldest son, Oliver, is not pictured.
Grace Loar, daughter of photographer William R. Loar, was born February 5, 1893 and died April 28,1937.

4. Grace Loar Sitting with Pigeons, Likely in Grafton, W. Va.

IDNO:
052462
Title:
Grace Loar Sitting with Pigeons, Likely in Grafton, W. Va.
Date:
undated
Description:
Grace Loar, daughter of photographer William R. Loar, was born February 5, 1893 and died April 28,1937.
Grace, left, is daughter of photographer William R. Loar. She was born February 5, 1892 and died April 28, 1937. The two women are wearing hats and dresses, which appear to be some sort of uniform.

5. Grace Loar and Friend, Likely in Grafton, W. Va.

IDNO:
052463
Title:
Grace Loar and Friend, Likely in Grafton, W. Va.
Date:
undated
Description:
Grace, left, is daughter of photographer William R. Loar. She was born February 5, 1892 and died April 28, 1937. The two women are wearing hats and dresses, which appear to be some sort of uniform.
Lou and Neal Lawrence, daughters of Mary Harper Lawrence and Ambrose Lawrence.

6. Lou and Neal Lawrence

IDNO:
052788
Title:
Lou and Neal Lawrence
Date:
undated
Description:
Lou and Neal Lawrence, daughters of Mary Harper Lawrence and Ambrose Lawrence.