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In fall of 1983, Clarksville\u2019s arts community received a major boost when Tom Thayer and John McDonald converted an old, downtown movie house into the Roxy Regional Theatre. The historic building on Franklin Street, with its famed neon sign, soon became a cultural hub for the area.<\/p>\n
Twenty-seven years and more than 200 productions later, the theater is still thriving. At 7:30pm on June 10th, the Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts will host a special Spring Salon event at the Roxy, featuring an evening with both McDonald and Thayer.<\/p>\n
![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.clarksvilleonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/johnandtom.jpg\" "\\"John")
<\/a>John McDonald (left) and Tom Thayer (right). <\/p><\/div>\n
Thayer, the theater\u2019s managing director, is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He previously worked as a public relations liaison for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, created and taught dance programs at the Dwight School and created and taught young dramatics for the Rhodes School.<\/p>\n
McDonald, the Roxy\u2019s artistic director, is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he earned a full scholarship from ABC Broadcasting. He has taught for the American Academy, The Rhodes School, The Dwight School and the Hewitt School. His performance credits include appearances on Broadway, The Long Wharf Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival, The WPA Theatre and many more. He is also a noted playwright and received the Ingram Acting Fellowship as well as Outstanding Playwright Award.<\/p>\n