By Alice Moore
Feature Writer
This week’s Family Founders article is centered around a place that is very near and dear to my heart, the Peacock Performing Arts Center just off of the town square in Hayesville. The Peacock has taken part in everything from plays and musicals to concerts, dance parties and magic shows. For this article I was lucky enough to interview Jane Hindsman who was part of the Licklog Players, serving on their board of directors, and then went on to be part of the board for the Peacock Performing Arts Center and continues to be involved with the Peacock and the performing arts community.
The Peacock Performing Arts Center is the result of Lilith Lidseen’s dream of bringing a performing arts center to the people of this community so that it could not only entertain but also inspire. Lidseen loved the community and the arts, she began construction on the Peacock in the 1970s but sadly became ill and was never able to see her dream come to fruition. The building then sat empty for a while until the local theater group, the Licklog Players, began using the building. The Licklog Players were based in the area, the group started around the mid seventies and was made of locals who had a passion for theater and the performing arts. They originally performed in the Hayesville High School auditorium before moving into the Peacock space, the Licklog Players also happened to be part of what inspired Lidseen to begin the project of creating the Peacock. The Licklog Players used the Peacock Performing Arts Center building from around the early eighties until the early two-thousands. Sadly, because the Licklog Players only did three or four plays a year, they didn’t have much money and could barely keep the repairs up and bills paid for the Peacock. Due to being short on funds, the Peacock building began to fall into disrepair with a leaking roof and unreliable electricity. Thankfully a group of locals formed a 501(c)(3) called the Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association. Then, from 2007-2008, they obtained a loan from the USDA to purchase the Peacock building and redo the wiring, plumbing and roof so that it could be functional.
The Peacock is now under the management of the Lilith Lidseen Performing Arts Association with people like Laurel Adams, the Peacock’s Resident Artistic Director, working tirelessly to ensure that the Peacock continues to put on productions, events and concerts that captivate the audience and community. With a beautiful theater that boasts 250 seats and outstanding light and sound, the Peacock has something for everyone. The Peacock’s yearly lineup includes two comedies, a musical, a twisty thriller, as well as a variety of concerts like tribute bands and the beloved Song Writers Showcase. Additionally, during the summer the Peacock offers a wonderful children's theater camp, run by the Peacock’s Children’s Programming Director Robbie Dernehl, for kids ages 5 through 16. Just this summer, Ms. Robbie’s Performing Arts Camp put on a wonderful production entitled "Our Adventures of Peter Pan" featuring Jed Elmore as Peter Pan, Molly Fitzimons as Wendy and Lilly Dernehl as Tinker Bell. The production was a smashing success with multiple sold out shows, a great soundtrack, fabulous choreography and a wonderful cast. In August, the Peacock Performing Arts Center is presenting "9 to 5: The Musical" featuring a wonderful cast of locals who love the arts.
The Peacock has a strong connection to the area surrounding it. Just as the people of Clay County rely on it for outstanding entertainment and performing arts opportunities, the Peacock relies on the community’s support so that they may continue to put on these wonderful productions. Just recently they had an art fundraiser for their new roof, the success of which the Peacock attributes to its loyal patrons and donors. The Peacock welcomes support from the community in many ways. People decide to volunteer and help with shows or tickets, others come watch the performances on a regular basis, and others help donate and contribute money to programs and improvements for the Peacock, these include things like redoing the bathrooms and getting a new roof. Another time the community really shined is when just before Covid, the community had raised $20,000 through a fundraiser that kept the bills paid and the Peacock afloat during those trying times. The Peacock is a place that truly makes everyone feel that they belong and are part of the community. The Peacock Performing Arts Center has been building up this family for the past forty years, and the sense of home many feel at the Peacock is proof of the community it has created.