There’s a particular type of magic that lives right at the edge of a breakdown—that moment where something might flop, but just might become unforgettable instead. For the Beckley-based WV Collective, that edge is where all the best stuff happens.
“You always find that you can and you do. But you’ve gotta ride that razor’s edge a little bit to walk away with some growth,” says Adam Taylor, one of the group’s founders.
“You always find that you can and you do. But you’ve gotta ride that razor’s edge a little bit to walk away with some growth,” says Adam Taylor, one of the group’s founders.
We sat down with Adam, Olivia Merritt, and Jamie Smith—three of the creative forces behind the Collective—for a candid conversation about theater, creative risk, and what it means to build something beautiful in a place like southern West Virginia.
“We Just Wanted to Do Something New”
WV Collective was founded in 2017 with a mission: make bold, smart, high-quality theater in a place where that wasn’t necessarily the norm. Their first big production? Little Shop of Horrors.
“We didn’t dumb it down,” Adam says. “We sold beer, we made it fun, and people lost their minds about it.”
That show was a turning point. It proved that local audiences weren’t just ready for daring performances—they were starving for them.
From Existential Hell to Hair Spray
For Olivia, her first show with the Collective was No Exit—a heavy, existential French play that pulled her deep into the group’s creative orbit.
Now, she’s directing Steel Magnolias for the Collective’s 2024 season.
Jamie’s journey started behind the curtain. Originally volunteering on the technical side, he quickly found himself becoming an essential part of the group’s leadership. Together, the three now form the backbone of a small but mighty team committed to bringing theater to life—one production at a time.
“You’re Gonna Suck for a While”
“There’s always that moment in tech week where you’re like, ‘Did we make a mistake?’” Adam laughs. “But then you realize—this is the growth zone.”
That’s the Collective’s philosophy in a nutshell: you learn by doing, you show up for your people, and you keep going even when you’re unsure.
“You have to be willing to suck for a while,” Adam says. “That’s just part of it.”
“You have to be willing to suck for a while,” Adam says. “That’s just part of it.”
Jamie adds, “We support each other no matter what. We know it’ll come together. It always does.”
Why Beckley?
“This place is kind of the edge of civilization,” Adam jokes. “But there’s a disproportionate amount of talent here.”
In a city with a population under 20,000, the Collective is punching way above its weight. Beckley has quietly become a magnet for artists, musicians, and creatives from all over the region. The proof is on stage.
If you’ve got roots here—or you’re looking for a place to plant some—this town might surprise you.
Tune In Now!
If you’re intrigued by stories of perseverance, creativity, and building something meaningful in unexpected places, don’t miss this episode of Creepalachia. We’re sitting down with WV Collective to explore how theater, risk-taking, and tight-knit community are transforming southern West Virginia—one show at a time.
Listen now and let us know what you think! Got your own Appalachian stories? We’d love to hear them.
