Griffin and Spalding County residents who always felt compelled to tell ‘their story’ now have a unique opportunity to do so.

Norma Richardson, founding artistic director of Main Street Players, is looking for people of all ages and backgrounds who would like to share their stories with her. Those stories will then serve as the foundation for and be meshed into a theater piece written by Richardson.

“The story should be rooted in this community,” Richardson said. “There’s a lot of history here. We all have a story to tell.”

While literally everyone is welcome to talk to Richardson, it’s particularly olderSpalding Countyresidents who likely have a large arsenal of legends and personal stories that have passed from generation to generation, she said.

“It’s connecting with our heritage,” she said, adding that this type of project has been done in other counties and ultimately resulted in a stronger sense of community.

“Small communities are drying up because nobody really cares,” she said. “(This) is a great way to revitalize the community. This, ultimately, should be a community project.”

Those who would like to share their stories with Richardson are asked to either call Main Street Players at 770-229-9916 — and leave a message if no one answers — or email her at norma.richardson41@gmail.com. Richardson will then set up interviews or story circles — the latter being a group of people meeting at the same time and telling their stories to each other – and record the conversations.

All stories will then be woven into a theatrical play, which currently goes by the working title "Mill Town," and brought to stage possibly some time next year.

“This will be an ongoing process,” she said. “What I’m trying to do is create some interest in the community.”