The Robinson Grand is proud to announce the world premiere of Big Think Pictures’ dramatic short film Lilac Gulch: An Appalachian Fairy Tale at 7 p.m. on Friday, August at the historic Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center, located at 444 W. Pike St. in Clarksburg, WV.

 

Lilac Gulchis the story of a runaway 12-year-old boy and his recently reimagined childhood friend as they traverse the untamed wilds of the Appalachian countryside on a magical quest for a place where parents never die. Filled with wonder and adventure, Lilac Gulch is a tale of grief, loss, and ultimately hope viewed through the lens of childhood.

 

“Lilac Gulch is an endearing love letter to West Virginia,” said Jason A Young, the Robinson Grand’s consulting program manager. “It was filmed right here in Harrison County with a cast and crew made up entirely of West Virginia artists.”

 

Big Think Pictures is a locally grown production company, owned and operated by West Virginia native Christopher Swann. Big Think Pictures is dedicated to telling uniquely Appalachian stories for, by, and with the people shaped by these hills.

 

“Lilac Gulch began, so I thought, as a fairy tale for my son, an exploration in dealing with and expressing difficult emotions,” said writer and producer Christopher Swann. “But shortly after its inception, I began to realize that I had actually written a story for myself and the unspoken hurdles I was facing with my own sick mother.”

 

The world premiere event will feature the film screening followed by a question and answer session with the stars of the film, Jack Santee, Sean Marko, and Lauren Swann, as well as members of the creative team from Big Think Pictures, Geminye Studios, and The Vintage Theatre Company. 

 

“I was incredibly lucky to have worked with many very talented people both behind and in front of the camera, and even luckier that my mother, who recently celebrated the one year anniversary of a lifesaving transplant, will be in attendance at the premiere,” said Swann.

 

The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center is one of West Virginia's premier performance venues. A recent $15 million renovation has transformed our beautiful historic local theater into one of the state's most spectacular small theater destinations in which to experience an event. Preserving the distinct historical charm of the 1913 theater, the Robinson Grand boasts the most modern updates and conveniences of any local performance venue. The comfortable 1,000-seat size of the theater makes every seat feel intimately connected with the onstage performance.

 

The world premiere of Lilac Gulch: An Appalachian Fairy Tale is free and open to the public as a part of First Fridays in Downtown Clarksburg.

 

The doors will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, and the film will begin at 7p.m.