Tales from the Altamaha




Tales from the Altamaha is an award-winning folk-life play performed annually at the historic Blue Marquee Theater in downtown Lyons. The cast and crew are a talented group of volunteers from all walks of life. A new collection of tales from the writings of Colonel T. Ross Sharpe is turned into a one-of-a-kind South Georgia must-see event. Get ready to sing along with the River Rat Review Band as they sing ol’ time gospels, classics, and some original tunes. Be prepared to laugh and cry as we relive tales of regional settlers’ lives, loves, losses, scandals, and just plain ol’ gossip.

We encourage one and all to participate in this community event. There is a place for everyone who wants to enjoy some good, clean family fun. No matter your passion, we will find a place for you. It takes many talents to create “Tales from the Altamaha”, including prop curator, costumes, marketing, acting, musicians, hospitality, and more.

If you are interested in joining us as an actor, you MUST audition. Auditions are in January 2024. We ask you to read and agree to the Tales Rules and fill out the Audition/Biographical Information Form and the Actor/Musician Release Form. Forms filled out after January 2024, will be considered next year when you come to auditions. 

Returning adult cast members are not required to attend the audition but must complete the forms no later than January 2024, so that we will have the information we need in time for the casting meeting. Forms to complete: (1) Returning Adult Cast Member Biographical Information Form, (2) Tales Rules, and (3) Adult Actor/Musician Release Form.

If you are interested in volunteering that is not acting, please fill out the Tales Volunteer Form found below.

We look forward to another great show season!

Interview an Octogenarian Writing Contest for grades K-12

Each year Lyons Main Street presents a folk-life play, “Tales from the Altamaha”, at the historic Blue Marquee Theater

downtown Lyons. The stories for the play are from newspaper articles written by T. Ross Sharpe in the 1940s and 50s.

The play features true stories about people and places from Toombs County’s history. We are asking students to help

collect stories for the play by interviewing an octogenarian - a person 80 years of age or older (close to 80 is fine) who grew

up in Toombs County. You can ask them what it was like to share a phone with their neighbors, when they got their first

television (or even indoor plumbing), as well as countless other facts about what it was like to grow up in the South so many

years ago. We are very interested in stories about being a kid and life on the river. See if they can remember some unique

and interesting stories from back in the day!


After you interview your octogenarian, write or type their story down (400 - 500 words) and send it to Lyons Main Street by

April 1st. The students who submit the top three stories will receive tickets to the first showing of “Tales of the Altamaha” on

April 20th, when their names will be announced and they will be given a t-shirt. The first-place story will be featured in the

next year’s play and receive $100!


How to Submit:

Email submissions along with the release form to [email protected]

or mail submissions to:

134 NW Broad St.

Lyons, GA 30436

Click here for Release Form

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