By: Gabrielle Gruszynski
Lynn Green, facility supervisor and managing director of the Morton Theater, regards the stage from her seat in the house, on Wednesday, February 7th. Her gleeful expression represents her passion for both the fine arts and keeping the Morton’s century-long legacy alive. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)
Lynn Green is the facility supervisor and managing director for the Morton Theater. Built in 1910, the Morton has become a symbol of African American entrepreneurship and artistic excellence within the Athens community.
Q: Could you please share a brief history of the Morton building and its significance to the Athens community?
A: The Morton Theatre was built in 1910 by Monroe Bowers Morton, or ‘Pink Morton’ as he was better known at the time. It is the oldest surviving African American built, owned and operated vaudeville theater in the United States. We not only did it house the building, not only did it house the theater, but it also has several businesses including doctors offices, dentists, offices, insurance companies, barber shops, beauty shops, a pool hall, two funeral homes and a pharmacy.
Q: Could you highlight any more unique features or architectural elements of the Morton Theater and what makes it stand out against other historical buildings?
A: Potentially, one of my favorite pieces in the space is the medallion that’s in the ceiling of the auditorium. It covers a large fan that probably would’ve provided some ventilation in the space as well, but it’s really ornate and we’re going to be using that a lot more in some of our branding going forward. I’m excited about doing that. Our stage, it’s a wood stage, and it’s over an orchestra pit as well as our dressing rooms, which we were able to move from where they were originally on the stage to underneath it. Other than that, I mean, there’s very odd nooks and crannies here and there because they joined all three parts of this building together as one during the renovations in the 90s. But also speaking to a lot of our historical character.
Q: As someone working at the Morton Theater, what personal connection do you have that reflects the special role this venue plays in the Athens community?
A: I was with the University of Georgia Black Theatrical Ensemble. Some of our shows were here [the Morton] so I was able to be in the building and kind of see us through putting on a performances before I even became a member of the staff. So when I graduated in ‘97 and was going on my whirlwind tour around the world because I deserved it because I hadn’t had a break. The first leg of my trip was from here to Las Vegas, I got to visit a friend in Arizona. We got to Las Vegas, and while in Vegas, I got a call from someone here that ‘the job at the Morton is open, come home’. I jumped on a plane and came home and applied and got the job.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: People do feel that ownership and that kinship and there is a part of the Morton that kind of lives within the community here. And they really fight harder than even we do here at the theater to make sure that it stays relevant and on people’s minds and that it stays part of the conversation. And for us here we make sure that the history of the space doesn’t get lost and forgotten. There’s not a lot that’s concrete in books but we do have a documentary that we share, and we make sure that the tours are always here and available for classes or anybody who requests one. So that that history does stay alive and it’s not just this brick building that’s sitting here on this corner with little to no meaning. People fight harder for and they do more for things that have meaning and that’s what we want to be able to share with people.
Comments trimmed for length and clarity.
Why I Wrote the Story:
Earlier this semester, I visited the Morton Theater on a field trip for my ‘Music in Athens’ course; I was astounded by the history and culture radiating through the building. With this in mind, I wanted to write a story spotlighting the Morton’s rich past and passionate staff members.