HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 314 Offered February 14, 2006 Celebrating the life of David S. Kilgore. ---------- Patrons-- Hargrove and Peace; Senator: McDougle ----------

WHEREAS, David S. Kilgore of Hanover, respected citizen and revered actor, director, and a founder of the Barksdale Theatre, died on January 16, 2006; and

WHEREAS, David S. "Pete" Kilgore was the last surviving member of the Barksdale Theatre's six founders and was greatly admired as one of Virginia's most outstanding leaders in the performing arts; and

WHEREAS, Pete Kilgore was born in North Carolina and like many of those in the arts found his way to New York; after a while, he and a group of talented young actors decided to try their luck in the South; and

WHEREAS, Pete Kilgore, Muriel McAuley, and four other actors moved to Hanover County and began performing plays in the basement of the historic Hanover Tavern, built in 1791, and situated near the Hanover County Courthouse; the other original four founders left the company after a few years; and

WHEREAS, Pete Kilgore and Muriel McAuley bought the tavern, which was in desperate need of major repairs, in order to bring professional theatre to the area; and

WHEREAS, with hard work and the help of Pete Kilgore's beloved wife, Nancy, the threesome established the innovative and popular dinner theatre concept at the Barksdale Theatre, a winning combination that has lasted over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, the Barksdale Theatre presented the Richmond area's first professional productions of the plays of Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill, George Bernard Shaw, Noel Coward, Thornton Wilder, William Inge, and Edward Albee; and

WHEREAS, an inspiration to everyone he met, Pete Kilgore taught drama for many years at Randolph-Macon College and generously shared his knowledge and immense talents to help others excel in the performing arts; and

WHEREAS, Pete Kilgore directed his last production, Golf with Alan Shepard, in the summer of 2003; and

WHEREAS, a consummate professional, Pete Kilgore will be fondly remembered for his numerous gifts as an artist, as well as his passionate love and advocacy for the arts in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Pete Kilgore will be missed by his family, his numerous friends, colleagues, and theatergoers, and the countless admirers of his work at the Barksdale Theatre; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a talented artist and outstanding Virginian, David S. Kilgore; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of David S. Kilgore as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.