 When the Dutch Village Mall was created in Lynden in 1987 by Jim and Carolyn Wynstra, and Judd Rinsema, it contained a 160-seat theatre named after a Queen of the Netherlands, Juliana, who reigned from 1948-1980. The original theatre was in keeping with the Dutch theme of the City of Lynden.
Claire vg Thomas, with the help of theatre-loving friends, established the Lynden Performing Arts Guild. The guild has become a huge artistic success, putting on at least four productions a year lasting several weeks each, and playing to full houses.
Mission Statement
The goal of our Lynden community theatre is to entertain, interest, develop talents, and enable us to learn more about others. We seek to capture the imagination of both audience and actors and all those who are willing to open their hearts and minds to the lives of fictitious characters on stage. We propose to select plays of good content. We will produce classic and modern plays- comedies, tragedies, dramas, musicals, mysteries, and melodramas. We strive to bring before our audiences great theatrical productions that will tickle your fancy, make you think, and make you laugh!
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Claire(VanderGriend) was born in Lynden 90-plus years ago. She started playing the piano at age 5, and became an accomplished pianist and organist, with an eventual Masters Degree in Music.
Her early career years were in New York where she was employed by the world-famous team of Rodgers & Hammerstein! From 1947 to 1949, she provided piano accompaniment for all those who auditioned for roles in their musicals.
She and her family returned to Whatcom County in 1972, where she became involved in “all things musical.” She became President of the Board of Directors of the Lynden Performing Arts Guild at its inception, and the members of the Board decided to honor her by re-naming the Theatre in 2001.
Claire passed away in late 2008 but her legacy for the arts will always remain
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