The Charleston Light Opera Guild was founded in 1949 by a group of vocal teachers and talented amateur performers who sought an outlet for musical talent in the Kanawha Valley. Leonard Stocker, the moving force in founding the Guild, had come to Charleston in 1948, after 15 years as a professional singer and actor. A voice teacher at Mason College of Music in Charleston, he was joined by music teachers Margaret Hope Samms, Annie Laurie Leonard and Marguerite Palmer in forming the Guild.
To date the Charleston Light Opera Guild has produced over 200 shows. The group continues to present a mixture of new and classic shows at the Civic Center Little Theatre, Clay Center Maier Performance Hall and Charleston Light Opera Guild Theatre. Summer theatre continues as a training ground for high school, college age and young adults. Many working professionals in music theatre, television, film and dance including Kathy Mattea, Ann Magnuson and Jennifer Garner have graced the Guild stage during their formative years.