Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) is proud to announce that Clarinda Ross will be directing our 73rd season of Horn in the West! A Boone native with deep Appalachian roots, Clarinda brings decades of professional experience in theatre, television, and film to this year’s production.

Clarinda Ross is a graduate of Watauga High School and Appalachian State University, where her family has made a significant impact on the community. Her father, the late Dr. Carl A. Ross Jr., was a history professor and Director of the Center for Appalachian Studies, while her mother, Charlotte Ross (affectionately known as "The Legend Lady"), was a renowned storyteller and scholar of Appalachian folklore.

Clarinda's impressive career spans coast to coast and in between. The Alley Theatre in Houston, TX and Arkansas Repertory Theatre are just two to name. She has worked on stage, screen, and television in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and beyond. Her stage credits include regional theatres such as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, the Barter Theatre, and the Laguna Playhouse. She has also performed in and written plays, including the award-winning From My Grandmother’s Grandmother Unto Me, which toured extensively with sponsorships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Corporation. Touring in the U.S., From My Grandmother’s Grandmother Unto Me has also been to Europe where Clarinda performed for the Queen of Norway as part of the Cultural Olympiad in Lillehammer 1994 representing the State of Georgia!

Her television and film credits include appearances in Netflix's Teenage Bounty Hunters, Medium, The United States of Tara, E.R., Days of Our Lives, NewsRadio, I’ll Fly Away, and the Emmy-winning Stolen Babies starring Mary Tyler Moore. She also made her feature film debut alongside Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones in Blue Sky, directed by Sir Tony Richardson.

Clarinda has served as a leader in the theatre industry, spending over 20 years on the National Council of Actors’ Equity Association and acting as an L.A. delegate during the SAG-AFTRA merger. She currently directs the Advanced Actors Workshop at the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy.

Clarinda is thrilled to return to Boone to lead the 2025 production of Horn in the West. This year’s production focuses on rebuilding, recovering a sense of community, and returning to our pioneer roots, all while celebrating the incredible talent of local actors. With her extensive experience and heartfelt connection to the region, Clarinda is committed to revitalizing this cherished community tradition.

Join us for our 73rd season of Horn in the West, directed by the inspiring Clarinda Ross, as we continue to celebrate the Appalachian spirit through storytelling, history, and community!