This November, Neighbors of Ashland Magazine honors Downtown Ashland Association’s Director of Operations by featuring their family on the front cover of the 5th anniversary edition. Read the whole article by editor Darlene Hart below.

When we think about the strong and vibrant town of Ashland, Virginia, we must also consider those who make it the best place to live, thrive, and do business. The Downtown Ashland Association is a huge part of who we are, and this month, we are thrilled to learn a little more about Louise “Lou” Keeton, the extraordinary Director of Operations for the Downtown Ashland Association. She also volunteers as the Artistic Director of the Whistle Stop Theatre Company.

Lou is one of three children and the only daughter of Craig and Barbara Keeton, who moved here in 2001 after seeing “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Of this production, the Keetons describe one of their favorite memories, “We were so moved by the spirit of that movie as we walked out onto the streets of this town, feeling so welcomed by the community.”

Craig and Barbara met during a production of “Our Town” while they were in college. They were later engaged during a “Cinderella” production, where Craig played the prince and Barbara played Cinderella. “Cinderella” became the Whistle Stop Theatre Company’s first children’s show, and “Our Town” was produced at the Ashland Theatre as a part of the Whistle Stop’s 10th anniversary Celebration.

Craig attended Emerson College as an actor and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Management. Now retired, he spent 41 years in the television business, the last 22 at Richmond VPM, where he served as the Director of Production and Television Studios. He produced and directed countless events, from Gubernatorial Inaugurations to sporting events to the Richmond Symphony. He volunteers as the Technical Director of the Whistle Stop Theatre Company.

Barbara Keeton graduated from the Mississippi University for Women and is now the administrative officer of Division 38 of the American Psychological Association, where she has served for 27 years. She has an award named after her for the great work she has done with the society. She volunteers as the Managing, Props, and Costume Director at the Whistle Stop Theatre Company.

Craig loves playing with his record album collection, online chess, boxing at Vintage Gym in Richmond, and golf at the Hollows. Barbara enjoys yard sale treasure-hunting, refurnishing furniture, creating costumes, and sewing. Both volunteer in multiple capacities at their church, St. Ann’s in Ashland.

Lou Keeton graduated with a BFA in Theatre for Youth from Shenandoah Conservatory. In her roles with the Downtown Ashland Association and the Whistle Stop Theatre Company, she is often seen planning events on behalf of the Association, dressing up for interviews about Ashland, and, of course, writing new stage adaptations of beloved tales to produce at Whistle Stop.

Craig and Barbara have lived on Maple Street for over 20 years. They moved here after their son Ben was accepted into William and Mary. They were attracted to Hanover Public Schools because of their youngest, Lou, who was in middle school then. They were immediately charmed by Ashland’s picturesque downtown, friendly neighbors, and the Ashland Variety Show. They figured any town that could include everyone in a show has got to be a great place to live.

“We live in Ashland proper on Maple Street across from the Slash Cottage neighborhood on the same block as Carter Park. We have lived here since 2001, 23 years. We moved from Germantown, Maryland, and Barbara developed a process for projecting our needs in a new town and trying to find a forever home after our younger son began college at W&M and our daughter entered middle school. Ashland was so welcoming, and we have never looked back.

We love being able to walk anywhere in town and easily participate in community events. Our neighbors are great. We have helped each other over the years. One neighbor helped cut up a tree felled during Hurricane Isabel, another has plowed our driveway during heavy snows, and another has volunteered to bring over mulch in his truck. We have babysat for others. It’s a great mix of people we have known since we moved here and new generations moving in.”

Lou and JK Royston met online and immediately began collaborating as a part of their courtship. Recording “It’s a Wonderful Life” for streaming was inspired by JK’s career as a music producer and recording artist. “Our favorite memories are made together when we can just ‘be.’ We’re so busy; any time we get to rest, create, and collaborate is cherished.”

Lou and JK began renting on Henry Clay Road in 2024. They moved to be within walking distance of downtown, Lou's parents, and to fully immerse themselves in Ashland’s culture - just like Craig and Barbara, who are involved in just about everything the Downtown Ashland Association does – festivals, events, etc., and of course, Lou’s Whistle Stop Theatre productions.

Craig and Barbara are also parents to Andrew (married to wife, Danielle) and Ben (married to wife, Tina). They have two granddaughters, Isabel and Madeline.

Andrew and Ben played baseball into their teens, and Ben continued as a Division 1 baseball player through his college career at William and Mary. Andrew, Ben, and Lou have all been involved in volunteerism and non-profit work throughout their lives. Like Lou, Andrew also has a career with a non-profit. He is the Digital Arts Manager for the Richmond Production Arts Alliance. Ben is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and runs 20 different facilities at the Jackson Clinics, based in Herndon, Virginia, as the Executive Director of Clinical Operations.

For Craig, Barbara, and Lou, The Whistle Stop Theatre Company is their hobby, interest, and volunteer work! “It combines everything we love - creating, collaborating, performing, and amping up Ashland. We’ve called the Center of the Universe our home for over 20 years. The least we can do is use our skills and talents to embrace the town that has held us so close.”

The Keetons love living in Ashland. Walking downtown for work, dining, or entertainment is such a joy. They can admire the beautiful flowers neighbors have planted, weave through parks, and stop to chat with the friendly faces they see along the way. Their Ashland neighbors are so creative and talented that they inspired the Whistle Stop Theatre Company. “We produce shows in part so we can literally provide a stage for local talent to shine and give back to the community.”

Ashland’s community is so generous. For the past ten years, Ashland venues like the Hanover Arts and Activities Center and the Ashland Theatre have donated their time, space, and resources to enable them to use the proceeds for the next production. Such generosity makes programs like “Share a Seat” possible. “Share a Seat” donates Whistle Stop tickets to underserved communities so empathetic storytelling can reach beyond the Center of the Universe.

“There is a reason the Whistle Stop produces shows like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Our Town.’ They are all stories that remind us of the Center of the Universe. These narratives speak to Ashland’s sense of community, camaraderie, and kindness - and hopefully inspire future generations.

Besides producing for the Whistle Stop, the Keetons spend many volunteer hours on behalf of the Downtown Ashland Association. They have been producing family holiday shows in conjunction with Downtown Ashland Association events like Light Up the Tracks for years. Some favorites include “Little Women,” “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” and now “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Fun Facts about the Keetons:

“Cinderella” was the first Whistle Stop children’s show in honor of Craig and Barbara’s engagement.

“Our Town” was selected as the Whistle Stop’s 10th-anniversary production in honor of the show Craig and Barbara met in.

Barbara and Lou - real-life mother and daughter - got to play mother and daughter as Mrs. Webb and Emily Webb in the Whistle Stop’s “Our Town” and again as Mrs. March and Jo March in “Little Women.”

Craig and Louise - real-life father and daughter - got to play father and daughter as President Dak and Snow White in the Whistle Stop’s “Snow White and the Super Dwarves” and again as Mr. March and Jo March in “Little Women.”
Craig and Barbara - real-life Mr. and Mrs. Keeton - played Mr. and Mrs. March in the Whistle Stop’s “Little Women.”

“The Selfish Giant” was the first play Barbara and Louise wrote and produced together.

All three Keeton children go by their middle names! (Craig) Andrew and (Robert) Benjamin because they were named after other family members, and Craig and Barbara wanted them to have their own identities. (Stephanie) Louise had always gone by Stephanie until moving to Ashland, and she declared she would henceforth be known by Louise.

Craig and Barbara host “Gramby Camp” for their granddaughters every summer and sometimes babysit Ben’s Lab.

The Keetons host an private gathering for neighbors on Thanksgiving Eve, known as “Hors d’oeuvres Night.”

The Keetons’ Christmas holiday family celebration is held on “Twelfth Night!”

Andrew won a painting contest in high school and was chosen to represent Maryland as his work was displayed in the Smithsonian Institution near the Presidential Gallery.

Ben travels worldwide with his best friend, fishing for exotic fish and documenting their catches.

Lou began the Whistle Stop Theatre here in Ashland 12 years ago and took her original (now-published) play, “Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother’s Tale,” to the New York Children’s Theatre Festival.

Barbara’s job allows her and Craig to travel each year to a new US destination, and the kids are most responsible for arranging opportunities for travel to Italy, France, and the Caribbean. The most extensive trip was to New York when the Whistle Stop’s “Cinderella: The Fairy Godmother’s Tale” was produced in the New York Children’s Theatre Festival.

Other trips have been to Disney World (Craig and Barbara’s honeymoon trip) and three other times with the children as they grew. As big baseball fans, they have also traveled to Cooperstown, New York, on multiple occasions, and, most recently, Craig and the boys went to see beloved Red Sox icon David Ortiz, inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Keeton family has become the heart of Ashland, and we are thankful to have them pumping through our town.

The next original Whistle Stop Theatre Company production is “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Three radio episodes will be streamed online leading up to the fourth and final live reading at 3:00 pm in the Ashland Theatre on Sunday, December 15. Tickets are available online for $10 at AshlandTheatre.org.