WOODSTOCK – The public is invited to the dedication of the stage of the Woodstock Opera House, 121 E. Van Buren St., to Orson Welles. Welles made his professional debut as an American director of live theater at the Woodstock Opera House in 1934.

The dedication, which will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 10, begins a three-year commemoration by Woodstock Celebrates Inc. of the association of Welles, a world-class figure in 20th century culture, with his hometown of Woodstock.

Events in May 2014 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Todd Theatre Festival at the Woodstock Opera House, Welles’ direction of his first film in 1934 in Woodstock and publication on the Todd Press of “Everybody’s Shakespeare,” by Roger Hill and Orson Welles.