COMpANy BIOS COMpANy BIOS - Virginia Repertory Theatre

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Felicia Curry (Celie) NYC: We 3 Lizas, DMLRR The Brontes,
Petite Rouge. TOURS: Willy Wonka, Barbie Live!. REGIONAL:
The Kennedy Center, Ford’s Theatre, Signature Theatre, Round
House Theatre, Arena Stage, Toby’s Theatre of Columbia,
Imagination Stage, Adventure Theatre, MetroStage, Rep Stage,
Studio Theatre, SSMT, African Continuum, Discovery Theatre,
Artists’ Bloc. CABARETS: Ebony, Ivory, and Ink (Olney Theatre
Center), Broadway Duets (Signature Theatre). CONCERTS: BSO Marvin Hamlisch:
One Singular Sensation and Holiday Spectacular. HH Awards: Best Ensemble, Les
Miserables. HH nominations: Aida, Aida; Eponine, Les Miserables; Featured Performer, Godspell; Best Ensemble, Rapunzel. Co-host of 28th Annual HH Awards. Member
of the Capitol Steps and Factory 449. EDUCATION: UMCP. Proud member of AEA.
Katrinah Carol Lewis (Nettie) is blissfully fulfilling her dream
of acting and singing her life away! BFA-Theatre VCU; Voice
– Levine School of Music, Washington DC. Recent Credits:
Threshold (University of Richmond), Death and the Maiden
and Ruined (Henley Street/Richmond Shakespeare), Race
(Carol Piersol/AART); Good People (Cadence Theatre/ Virginia Rep); Gidion’s Knot, RTCC Award – Best Ensemble Acting
2013 Carol Piersol at HATTheatre); Ohio State Murders (RTCC Nomination – Best
Actress 2012) and Dessa Rose, RTCC Award – People’s Choice 2012 (Firehouse
Theatre); Julius Caesar, Portia (Henley Street Theatre). Thank you to my family and
friends for love and support. Namaste.
Jerold E. Solomon (Mister) is excited to return to Virginia Rep
where his professional career began! Credits: Broadway: South
Pacific (Lincoln Center) Off-Broadway: Bare (New World Stages) National Tours: Ragtime; Big River; Annie. Regional: Once
On This Island and 25th Annual Putnum Spelling Bee (Paper
Mill); Cutman (Goodspeed); Sweet Charity, You’re a Good Man
Charlie Brown, Gross Indecency, and Olympus on My Mind
(Virginia Rep); Henry V (RSF); The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSF); The Lost Colony
and many others. TV/Film; 30 Rock, Law and Order and Kings (NBC); The Unusuals
(ABC); Hiding Divya (Desipina). Jerold has a BFA in Theater Performance from VCU.
For A, E, and L
Desirée Roots Centeio (Sofia) has been showcasing her triple-threat talent for over 30 years locally and regionally. She is
thrilled to be back on one of her most favorite stages. Richmond audiences last saw her as Alma Hix in Virginia Rep’s The
Music Man, and as Dessa in Firehouse Theatre’s Dessa Rose
(2012 RTCC Best Musical) Since 13, she has held leading roles in
numerous productions, including her favorite, Aretha Franklin
and Diana Ross in Beehive. In 2004, Desiree received the Theresa Pollack Prize for
Excellence in the Arts as Best Vocalist in Virginia. None of these however, beat out
her most favorite roles – mommy and wife.
Carolyn Minor-Daughtry (Shug Avery) is a vocalist, author,
songwriter, and mother of two wonderful children Jonathan
and Diana. She has been singing for over 20 years. She has
been a back-up vocalist for artist such as Kurt Carr, Kirk
Franklin, and more. Carolyn is the author of two inspirational
children’s books I am fearfully and wonderfully made and I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens me. She is the
writer for 1millionsoulsministry.blogspot.com. The blog consist of scriptures to
encourage people. Carolyn is grateful to God for her gifts and talents. She knows
that what she do for Christ will last.
Josh Marin (Harpo) Credits include: local commercials, Spielberg’s Lincoln, a Wickersham Brother in Seussical, Georg in
Spring Awakening, Ensemble in The Producers, Tamino in The
Magic Flute (adaptation), Tommy Dijilas in The Music Man, Mr.
Black in The Wild Party and most recently Chad Diety in The
Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety. He plans to move to NY
after this show. Josh is honored to be wrapping up this chapter of his life in Richmond with Virginia Rep. He would like to thank his family for
their prayers and support, friends for encouragement and God for the blessing of
theatre that we can all enjoy!
Ciara McMillian (Squeak) is a Sophomore Theatre Performance major at Virginia Commonwealth University, from Jackson, MS. Her credits while attending VCU include The Colored
Museum (Miss Pat, Lawanda, Medea, La La Lamazing Grace),
Hairspray (Little Inez), and Arabian Nights (Sharahzad). Ciara
has also done work with The Conciliation Project, Co-Starred
as Mamie in the festival award winning indie film The Dynamiter, and been an Extra for AMC’s Turn.
Shalimar Hickman Fields (Jarene) is pleased to perform
again at Virginia Repertory Theatre. A native of Richmond,
VA, Shalimar most recently participated with Virginia Repertory Theatre in Crowns and Nunsense. Her credits include
numerous productions at Barksdale Theatre and Swift Creek
Mill Playhouse, a national tour of Nunsense and “The World
Walked into Her Heart” – the Life of Muriel Smith in London,
England and Caux, Switzerland. “I thank God for – James, Santania and Santia who
support and encourage me to perform. I dedicate each of my performances to
memory of my Mother… I Love You Daddie! ”
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Stephanie M. Hill (Dalene) most recently appeared as the
featured soprano soloist for Vivaldi’s Gloria with One Voice
Chorus and Camille Saint-Saens’ Oratorio de Noel with Central
Virginia’s Masterworks Chorale. Prior to that she was seen
in the chorus of To Kill A Mockingbird with Virginia Repertory
Theatre; and as Ethel Toffelmier in The Music Man, also with
Virginia Rep. Other favorite roles: Elizabeth in In The Next Room,
Cadence Theatre Company and Virginia Rep; Rose/Ada in Dessa Rose, Firehouse
Theatre Project; Bloody Mary in South Pacific, The Lost Colony (NC), and Barbarina
in Le Nozze di Figaro, VCU. Education: BA in Music Performance from VCU.
Karla Brown (Church Soloist/ Company) A Richmond native
attended VCU, Urban Studies Major. Actress, recording artist
and songwriter. Karla has appeared on AMC Channel’s series
Turn Season 1, The National Geographic Channel, Killing Lincoln, narrated by Tom Hanks, PBS –The Abolitionists and HBO’s
VEEP Season 1/2. Theater productions include: Before it Hits
Home, It’s A Fabulous Life (Richmond Triangle Players), Little
Shop of Horrors, Once on This Island as Mama Euralie (Swift Creek Mill Theater)
and Langston is My Man (AART). Special thanks to Virginia Rep, Chase Kniffen, Ben
Miller, Bruce Miller, Phil Whiteway, Cast and Crew! To my family – Mom, Dad, sisters
and nephews
Amanda S. Montague (Doris) graduated from John Marshall HS
in June 1985 and attended Elizabeth City State University as a
Music Major (Voice) concentration. After three years of being in
music, she changed her major, earning a BS in Business Administration in 1989. To add to her accomplishments, in 2005, she
released her CD entitled From Me To You, My Tribute. She is the
wife of Charles, Sr. (20 years), and the mother of three: Tiana
(Age 24), and twins Charles, Jr., and Ymani (Age 16). Amanda attends the St. Paul’s
Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Lance D. Watson, Sr. as her pastor.
Will Anderson (Company) is from Bowling Green, KY
and is thrilled to be making his debut at the November Theatre
in The Color Purple. He studied vocal performance at Western
Kentucky University, and University of Kentucky. His past credits
include Madame Butterfly, The Gondoliers (Marco Palmieri),
Children of Eden (Cain), Floyd Collins (Bishop), Grease (Teen
Angel), The Frog Prince (Frog Prince) with Virginia Rep, Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah), and Shrek, The Musical (Little
Pig), and The Stephen Foster Story (Japan tour).He would like to thank his family
and friends for their continued love and support, and Virginia Rep. for giving him
this opportunity.
Donathan “Don” Arnold (Young Harpo, Young Adam) is a
rising 6th grader at Landmark Christian School and a recent
presidential academic award scholar. Don’s acting debut as
“Sam” in School House Rock Live Jr! was in 2010 and has since
appeared in roles with Virginia Rep’s The Music Man (July 2013),
Twas the Night Before Christmas (Dec. 2013) and Swift Creek
Mill Theater’s The Miracle Worker (Jan. 2014). Don is excited
to be reunited with many of his acting friends in The Color Purple and would like
to thank his parents, LCS family, and friends for their support and encouragement.
S. Michael Brown (Ensemble) is a Nashville native who is very
excited for his first performance at the November Theatre.
He is very excited to get back on to the Virginia Rep main stage.
Some of his most recent performances are Officer Murphy in
Busytown, and Theatre IV’s Buffalo Soldier as Jones Morgan.
He would like to thank God, family, and friends for their love,
and also Theatre IV On Tour for their work and support.
Anthony Cosby (Company) Credits include The Music Man
(Virginia Rep), Once on This Island, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and
Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dogwood Dell).
Anthony is a graduate of Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. where
he received his B.A. in Mass Communications & minored in
Performing Arts.
Billy Dye (Preacher/Company) is pleased to challenge the
stage, having taken a lengthy absence. Billy’s last theatre stints
were in the musicals Crowns and Mahalia, both co – produced
by Virginia Repertory Theatre and AART. Other roles Schroeder in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Papa Ge in Once
On This Island and Pish-Tush in The Mikado. Favorites include
Balthazar in Romeo and Juliet, Marcellus in The Music Man at
Virginia Repertory Theatre; and Smokey Joes Café and Ain’t Misbehavin’; Marshall
in Four Part Harmony and Eubie Blake in Charles Strouses’ Bojangles, both Virginia
Rep premieres. THANKS for love, support and patience family!
Jada Evans (Young Oliva/Henrietta) is a gifted seventh grade
student in Henrico County. This is her third production with
Virginia Rep. She previously had roles as Regine in Madeline’s
Christmas and the Baby Lamb in The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever. While she has enjoyed taking classes in Theatre and dance
with SPARC and Pine Camp, she is planning on attending Stanford University and majoring in Chemical Engineering. Jada is
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honored to be able to work with such a talented group of actors and crew.
Tyandria Jackson (Young Nettie/ Company) is very excited
to be working in her first Virginia Rep production. An 8th
grader at Omega Private Academy in chesterfield VA, Tyandria
immensely enjoys theatre. Some previous productions include
Urinetown (SPARC), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (SPARC), Wait Until Dark (Swift Creek Mill) The Wiz
(SPARC), and Once on this Island (Swift Creek Mill). Tyandria
would like to thank her family especially her mother for all their support and help
throughout her career. Thanks so much and enjoy the show!
J. Ron Fleming (Pa/Grady/Company) As a founding member
of Ernie McClintock’s Jazz Actors Theatre, J. Ron Fleming has
performed on many stages, including: Sycamore Rouge, Swift
Creek Mill Play House, Richmond Center Stage, Mystery Dinner
Theatre, and Virginia Rep. He performed in such roles as Avery
in The Piano Lesson, Grant Wiggins A Lesson Before Dying,
Floyd Barton in Seven Guitars, Sterling in Two Trains Running,
Troy Maxon in Fences, James Hewlett in The African Co. Presents Richard the III,
Martin L. King in Then Meeting, and Surge in ART. Also in musicals, Guys and Dolls
as Nicely Nicely Johnson and Crowns.
Skye Hagood (Company) appeared in Virginia Rep’s hit production of The Music Man and is currently a student at
JMU. She is a graduate of Thomas Dale High School for the
Performing Arts, where she recently played Louise in the
musical Carousel. She has performed in two of Dogwood
Dell’s summer shows, Hairspray and Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Courtney Jamison (Company) is currently a 20-year old,
rising-senior at James Madison University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Musical Theatre. She began
performing with the School of The Performing Arts in the
Richmond Community at the age of 11. Some of her favorite
roles with SPARC include Sarah (Ragtime), Narrator (Into The
Woods), and Erzulie (Once On This Island). More recently she
was seen as Lorraine in All Shook Up and Wendla in Spring Awakening on JMU’s
MainStage. She would like to thank her family, friends, and roommates for their
constant love, support, and guidance!
Ashlee Arden Heyward (Company) has had a very busy,
very wonderful six months thanks to Virginia Rep. From
Twas’ the Night Before Christmas, to Harriet Tubman and
the Underground Railroad, and to Shrek, The Musical at The
Children’s Theater of Virginia; she is proud to debut at the
historic November in their final show of the season. She hails
from Chesapeake, VA by way of Queens, NY, and is a recent
graduate of Ferrum College, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. I would like to
thank my parents their constant support and the Owens family for making my stay
in Richmond possible.
Jessi Johnson (Company) is very excited to bring this American classic to life here at Virginia Rep! She was last seen
on stage at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre as Diana Mouse
in ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Before that, she was back
here as a choir member in To Kill A Mockingbird. Jessi has
appeared on stage, film, and radio, and most recently finished
a recording with The Illbrain Duo, a local RVA jazz band. Favorite credits include Grease, Sweet Chariot, and Othello the Moor of Venice. She would
like to dedicate this performance to Mom, an amazing woman and a constant source
of encouragement.
Cariel Hughes (Ensemble) has been with the Virginia Repertory
Theater Family for nearly a year, making her debut as Frankie
in The Three Little Pigs last fall. With most of her acting
experience in commercial, television, and film, Cariel’s most
recent work on screen was in the Discovery Channel’s Wicked
Attractions. Dancing since she was three, Cariel has trained
in everything from ballet to hip-hop, and has studied at both
Broadway Dance Center and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Cariel holds a Bachelor’s
Degree in Psychology and Dance, a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology, and
she teaches Body Pump at Gold’s Gym.
Thomas E. Nowlin (Ol’ Mister/Company) is grateful to back
with Virginia Rep after previous shows, which include: Mame,
Scapino, The Bluest Eye (co-produced with VCU), The Wizard
of Oz, Seussical the Musical, and The Jungle Book. Other favorite roles include: Clybourne Park (Cadence/ Virginia Rep), Take
Me Out – 2010 RTCC Best Play (Richmond Triangle Players);
Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, The Comedy
of Errors (Virginia Shakespeare); One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Winter’s
Tale (Henley Street); Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, The Merry
Wives of Windsor (Richmond Shakespeare); Ragtime (SPARC); Dreamgirls and The
Secret Garden (Dogwood Dell).
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Andrew Reid (Company) is honored and incredibly excited to
be working in his very first Virginia Repertory Theatre production. He is entering his second year in Theatre performance
at Virginia Commonwealth University, and most recently he’s
appeared in Theatre VCU’s production of Hairspray as Gilbert
last Fall.
Pamela Shaw (Company) is a native of Richmond, Virginia.
She has taken music, theater education and acting classes at
John Tyler Community College. Pamela joined the Virginia
Rep family in 2013 for the production ‘Twas the Night Before
Christmas. A song writer and playwright, she has written
several songs and seven plays. She is an active member in her
church serving as music ministry leader for an a’capella praise
team and drama ministry coordinator. She has been blessed with a wonderful
husband, Omar, of fourteen years and together they have the great 5K – Khari, Kiyah,
Kielle, Koryn and Kamar.
Alana S. Thomas (Company) Alana’s passion for performing
began at a young age when she started dance classes and sang
in the Virginia Opera in the 4th grade, and she hasn’t stopped
since then. Her most recent shows have been Legally Blonde at
Riverside Dinner Theatre, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Producers,
The Music Man, and My Fair Lady at Virginia Repertory Theatre,
and the 2012 RTCC People’s Choice Award Winner Dessa Rose.
She’d like to thank her loving and encouraging family, supportive boyfriend Eric,
and the wonderful cast, crew, and production team!
Taylor Walls (Company) is a rising senior at Duke University
majoring in Psychology with a minor in Music and Theater. She
grew up in Chesterfield and studied instrumental music and
musical theatre at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.
She’s performed in productions at ARGS, Dogwood Dell Theater, Fort Lee Playhouse, and Swift Creek Mill Playhouse (Once
on this Island; Andrea). At Duke, she is President of Hoof ‘n’
Horn, the South’s oldest student-run musical theatre group. Her most recent credits
include ...Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona) and The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix).
Special thanks to Chase, Leslie, and Ben for this amazing opportunity!
Devonte J. Wells (Company, Dance Captain) As a native
of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Devonte Jerome Wells has
built his portfolio performing frequently within the triangle to
multiple theatres on the East Coast. He began his training at the
prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied
Musical Theatre and modern dance technique with traditional
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dance formats. Wells transcended his understanding of dance at UNC Greensboro
to graduate with a B.F.A. in Dance Choreography and Performance in December
of 2014. Mr. Wells has toured nationally with Gdavisplays and has performed as a
dancer with Cyrus Art Production since 2011.
Tybias Whitehead (Buster/Chief/Company) has performed in
local productions like: Revelation, Gods Trombones, Genocide
Trial, How We Got Over and Black Nativity. He has also performed at the Royal Opera House at the Kennedy Center. He
is featured in the Virginia Credit Commercial “Got my back”
and movie series Killer Kids II and TURN. Tybias contributes his
gift first from God and his parents who are also singers and his
Aunt who molded him for the stage. He is completing his debut CD and is excited
about future opportunities. Thanks to the producers of The Color Purple for having
him as part of this amazing production.
Ayana Williams (Young Celie/Young Olivia/Company) is a
rising 9th grader at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School.
Ayana is thrilled to be in her first Virginia Repertory Theatre
production. Ayana’s favorite theatre productions include: The
Little Mermaid (Seagull), The Wiz (Addaperle), The Big Talent
(Melody Jones), and ensemble roles such as Annie (SPARC)
and Into the Woods (Manchester Middle School). When not
living her dream on stage, Ayana likes to sing, be with friends and play with her little
sister. Ayana would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Grandparents and younger sister
Kyah for all of their constant love and support.
Trent Williams (Company) is very excited to be a part of a
Virginia Rep production for the first time. He is currently working on his BFA in Theatre Performance at Longwood University: where he has played roles such as Leaf Coneybear in The
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Charles in Blithe
Spirit. He was also recently seen in Richmond as Williard in
Dogwood Dell’s production of Footloose and feels honored to
be a part of another wonderful Richmond show with the amazing cast and crew of
The Color Purple.
Chase Kniffen (Direction) has served as the Associate Artistic Director of Virginia
Repertory Theatre since 2010. Prior to that, he was the Artistic Director of Richmond’s Stage 1 Theatre Company and Special Projects Manager for Virginia Rep.
Most recently, Chase Directed Virginia Rep’s Other Desert Cities and Cadence
Theatre Company/Virginia Rep’s production of Next to Normal. Chase has won the
2010, 2011 and 2012 Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Best Direction of a
Musical for his work on Virginia Rep’s The Sound of Music, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
and Spring Awakening. Those productions also received the Best Musical RTCC
Award. As the Artistic Director of Stage 1 Theatre Company, Chase directed and
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choreographed productions of tick, tick…BOOM!, Children’s Letters to God, normal and Summer of ’42. He also worked as Assistant Director to Jack Cummings,
III on the Drama Desk Nominated off-Broadway musical, The Audience. Chase
attended New York’s Circle in the Square Theatre School and was honored as one
of StyleWeekly’s 2009 Top 40 Under 40.
of the full time shop, hundreds of costumes, wigs, shoes, and hats are sent out
on stage or packed up on tour. Some of the most memorable shows: Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels, A Christmas Carol, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The most costumes the better.
Ben Miller (Music Direction/Conductor) was the Associate Music Director/Conduc-
Wendy Vandergrift (Stage Management) A graduate of New York’s American
Musical and Dramatic Academy, Wendy has been a denizen of the theatre world
for far too many years to count (and it’s polite not to ask). One would be hard
pressed to find something that she hasn’t done related to the stage…well, she can’t
play the violin, but she can fill in for drummer in a pinch! Her dream role: Kate in
Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Until then, she’ll keep busy as Production
Manager/Assistant Technical Director for Virginia Repertory Theatre
tor for Mel Brooks’ The Producers at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Music Direction/
Conducting credits include; Urinetown (SPARC); Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party
(FTP); Ordinary Days (FCTP); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
(Dogwood Dell). He is an adjunct faculty member at the School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC) and teaches voice in the theatre
department at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Leslie Owens-Harrington (Choreography) is a seasoned choreographer with a
diverse repertoire from theme park mainstage presentations to HBO’s featured
movie Iron Jawed Angels. A few of her musical credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, Annie Get Your Gun, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and
Anything Goes. Mrs. Harrington’s Director/Choreographer credits include Once on
This Island, Crowns, Smokey Joe’s Café, and Ragtime.
Ron Keller (Set Design) is a 2014 recipient of a Kennedy Center Gold Medallion
for his many years of work with the Kennedy Center American College Theatre
Festival. Recent productions with Virginia Rep include To Kill A Mockingbird,
Scorched Earth, White Christmas, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Guys and Dolls.
He has designed for many theatres around the country including the Nevada
Conservatory Theatre; Virginia Opera; Famous Door Theatre Swine Palace Productions; New Millennium Studios; Berryhill Studios; The Eugene Ionesco Theatre in
Kishinev Moldova; Illinois Shakespeare Festival; Shakespeare Santa Cruz; Virginia
Shakespeare Festival; Ohio Shakespeare Festival; Porthouse Theatre; The Clarence
Brown Company; Heritage Repertory Theatre; Cumberland County Playhouse; and
Theatre Virginia. He is Head of Design at Theatre VCU where he has taught and
produced award winning design students over the past 30 years. Upcoming productions include Mame (Virginia Rep), Man of La Manch (VCU) and Oklahoma
Joe Doran (Light Design) Previously with Virginia Rep: A Year With Frog and Toad.
Broadway: Magic/Bird (Asst. LD), Anything Goes (1st National, Asst. LD), West
Side Story (Asst. LD), In the Heights (Asst. LD); Off Broadway: H4 and Shakespeare’s Slave. He recently designed an adaptation of The Tempest directed by
and starring Olympia Dukakis. Regional Credits include: Alpine Theatre Project,
The Atlanta Ballet, and Swift Creek Mill Theatre. Doran is the 2008, 2009, and
2012 recipient of the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award. He is a graduate of
NC School of the Arts and member of USA Local 829. www.joedorandesign.com
Sue Griffin (Costume Design) has headed up the Virginia Rep costume department for the last nine years. Over this time, the shop has produced costumes for
more than 300 shows, from traveling fairy tales to major musicals. With the help
Scott Mills (Assistant to the Choreographer) A native of St. Louis, Missouri, is glad
to be working with the Virginia Repertory Theatre. He has been an active performer and dancer with several independent performing ensembles including First
Flight Winter Guard and The Pride of Missouri State Winter Guard. He currently
works as a color guard/dance choreographer in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was
last seen on stage as a dancer in the Virginia Rep’s production of Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels. He is happy to be given the opportunity to work with such an amazing
design team, and would like to thank Leslie Owens – Harrington for allowing him to
work as her assistant.
With love and respect, we dedicate this production of
The Color Purple to the memory of Steve Moore. A life
long entertainer, Steve graced our stages with his dry
sense of humor and love of life in productions of Mame
and White Christmas . He always loved a big musical, so
we’re happy to honor his memory with this production.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Color Purple. She has various film and
TV credits, Grammy and Emmy nominations, and awards from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller
Foundation, the American Academy and
Institute of the Arts and Letters and the
Fellowship of Southern Writers. Norman
is currently the co-chair, with Christopher
Durang, of the Playwriting Department of
the Juilliard School in New York City, and
is Vice-President of the Dramatists Guild
of America. She was honored at the 2011
William Inge Festival for Distinguished
Achievement in the American Theatre.
Music and Lyrics
Book
Marsha Norman is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist.
Norman received a bachelor’s degree
from Agnes Scott College and her
Master’s degree from the University of
Louisville. She has worked as a journalist for The Louisville Times newspaper,
and written for Kentucky Educational Television. She also taught young
children and adolescents in mental
institutions and hospitals, which largely influenced her writing. Norman has
won a Pulitzer Price in Drama, as well
as the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the
Hull-Warriner, and the Drama Desk Award
for her best known play, ‘night, Mother.
She has also received a Tony Award and
a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding
Book of a Musical for The Secret Garden
and a Tony Award nomination for Best
Book of a Musical for her work on The
male and African American acts — many
of whom she went on to write songs for.
Willis’s hit songs include Earth, Wind &
Fire’s “September” and “Boogie Wonderland”. Willis also wrote “I’ll Be There
For You” (theme from Friends) recorded
by The Rembrandts. Willis’ foray into
theater began in 2001 when she started
consulting on musical direction and then
composing the ultimately Tony-nominated music and lyrics for the show The
Color Purple.
continued training at Berklee College of
Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Working
with Madonna, he wrote and produced
many of her top-ten recordings, including “Angel,” “Into the Groove,” “Papa
Don’t Preach,” “True Blue,” and “Express
Yourself.” Performing with Breakfast club,
he earned a Grammy nomination for Best
New Artist and a top-ten single. He has
composed and produced for multiplatinum artists including The Jets, Gladys
Knight, and Kylie Minogue.
Stephen Bray is a songwriter, drummer, and record producer who made
his Broadway debut with The Color
Purple. After beginning music studies
with private instruction in Detroit, Bray
Russell, Willis, and Bray were nominated
for a 2007 Grammy in the Best Musical
Show Album category for the original
cast album of The Color Purple.
Brenda Russell is a singer-songwriter and keyboardist whose roots are
deeply embedded in African-American
music culture. Known for her eclectic musical style, her recordings have
encompassed several different genres,
including pop, soul, dance, jazz and adult
contemporary. As well as composing
and recording her own material, Russell’s songwriting and vocal talents
have been used by Diana Ross, Stevie
Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Earth, Wind &
Fire, Joni Mitchell, Donna Summer, Bingo
Players, Flo Rida and Sting. Her compositions include such classics as “Get Here,”
“If Only For One Night,” and the Grammy-nominated “Piano In The Dark,”
Alee Willis is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, artist, set designer, multimedia artist, writer, and director. She
grew up in Detroit, Michigan and earned
a degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Willis made her
way to New York and became a copywriter for Columbia and Epic Records
where she wrote liner notes, print ads
and radio commercials for the label’s fe-
From left to right: Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell, and Alee Willis. Photo by ©Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging.
Meet the AUTHOR: ALICE WALKER
DIRECTORS NOTES
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer,
it sings because it has a song.”
–Maya Angelou
Alice Walker is an American author,
poet, and activist and considered one
of the most influential writers of the
20th century. She was the first African
American woman to win the Pulitzer
Prize for Fiction for The Color Purple in
1983. She also won the National Book
Award that same year.
The youngest of eight children, Alice
Walker was born in 1944 in Eatonton,
Georgia, into a family of poor sharecroppers. Her mother worked as a maid
to help support the family and educate
her children. An accident with a BB
gun left Walker blinded in her right
eye. The scarring made her very selfconscience and shy. She found solace
in reading and writing poetry and later
graduated as the valedictorian of her
high school. Walker attended Spelman
College in Atlanta on a scholarship and
later transferred to Sarah Lawrence
where she studied abroad in Africa.
She published her first short story in
1965 the same year that she graduated
from college.
Walker has written seven novels, four
collections of short stories and volumes
of essays and poetry. Her literary
career and human rights activism
have been internationally celebrated
and her work has been translated
into two-dozen languages. The best
selling novel, Possessing the Secret of
Joy, details the devastation of genital
mutilation and led to the documentary,
Warrior Marks. She has served for
two sessions of The Russell Tribunal
on Palestine in Cape Town, South
Africa and in New York. In addition to
the Pulitzer Prize and National Book
Award, Walker has been honored many
times including the O. Henry Award for
Kindred Spirits, Humanist of the Year in
by the American Humanist Association,
Lillian Smith Award from the National
Endowment for the Arts, and the
LennonOno Grant for Peace in 2010.
When asked by Mister in the final
moments of The Color Purple if she ever
loved anything special, Celie responds
simply “Birds, I guess.” Celie is perhaps
like a bird, constantly searching for
some hope, some contentment in her
life and eventually finding her true
voice. The Color Purple is the ultimate
story of survival. A young black woman,
born into a despairing existence in
rural Georgia at the turn of the century,
is forced into an abusive relationship
with a man she only knows as “Mister”.
Celie and Mister, both products of their
circumstances and generation have no
hope in sight. Through life-changing
encounters with Sofia, Shug Avery, and
Harpo, Celie is able to find her voice,
stand up for herself, and say “I’m here.”
It is this ultimate realization that she is
July 11 – August 3, 2014
here and she is worth something that
provides her with the only real tool for
survival – herself.
From the Pulitzer Prize winning novel
by Alice Walker to the Academy Award
winning film, The Color Purple is now
given a beautiful theatrical adaptation
that truly sings because its characters
must. The beloved individuals in this
story are able to go further, dig deeper,
and express a completely new range of
emotion – from sorrow to joy – because
they are given the ability to sing.
As we continue on the eternal search
for an answer in this beautiful thing
called life, we should remember Celie’s
realization – “I’m Here…”
–Chase Kniffen
From Memories to Juke Joints:
Donors
Creating the Environment for The Color Purple
We would like to thank the many individuals and institutional funders who have
given to Virginia Repertory Theatre so generously in the past year. This list reflects
contributions processed between March 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. We have made
every effort to list individuals’ names correctly. If we have made an error, please
accept our apologies and contact us.
Angels ($25,000 & above)
Mrs. O.D. Dennis*
Frances Lewis
Andy & Ginny Lewis
Mary & Ted Linhart
George & Cal Jennsion
Sara Belle & Neil November
Mrs. Suzanne C. Pollard
Carole & Marcus Weinstein
Producers ($15,000 – $24,999)
Brenda & Tom Eggleston
Don & Betsy Garber
Carolyn & Bill Paulette
Mr. Kenneth M. Perry
Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Rosenthal
S.R. & Amy M. Williams
Directors ($10,000 – $14,999)
Josee & Bill Covington
Mary Butler Eggleston
Carrie Taylor Galeski
Mr. Frank B. Gibb, III
Lynn & Hal Greer
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Markel
Dr. & Mrs. Laurie E. Rennie
Mrs. Verna Seidensticker
Mr. & Mrs. Stuart C. Siegel
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Ukrop
Stars ($5,000 – $9,999)
Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph H. Bunzl
J.P. Causey Jr.
Cheryl & Jack Fockler
Bessie S. Manz
M.H. Reinhart
Mr. James V. Rogers
Martha Vannoy
Jay M. & Marilyn Weinberg
The scenic design for this production
of The Color Purple has been greatly
inspired and influenced by the artwork
of Betye Saar and Beverly Buchanan.
Saar’s assemblages combine vintage
photographs, architectural elements,
keepsake boxes, found objects,
clothing, jewelry, drawings, paintings,
script and mystical imagery to create
evocative and haunting compositions.
Buchanan’s ‘shacks’ are wooden
assemblages reflecting the now lost
houses that she remembers from
growing up in the south. Their rough yet
beautiful construction seem to suggest
the hard and hope-filled lives of their
inhabitants. Additional inspiration
came from pieces included in the Home
Sweet Home exhibit at Hollins University
including works by Susan Jamison and
Annie Waldrop. Finally, we are indebted
to Birney Imes’s and the celebrated
book Juke Joint which provides insight
and the inspiration for our paint treatment
for this production.
–Ron Keller
Stage Managers
($2,500 – $4,999)
Virginia A. Arnold
Jim & Ellen Bonbright
Ellen & Duncan Buoyer
Gonzalee Ford
Phyllis & Paul Galanti
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Garner, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. William V. Garner
Kirsti & Matthew Goodwin
Ms. Kim Hahn
Harvey & Mary Jane Hogue
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Knox
Gaylon Layfield III
Jerome Lonnes
Christine & Dominic Madigan
Bill & Lyn Kyle Manson
Read & Cathy McGehee
Mr. Preston Smith
Paul & Nancy Springman
Charlie & Norvell Whitaker
Irene Aston Ziegler
Co-Stars ($1,000 – $2,499)
Ruth & Franco Ambrogi
J & Anne-Marie Anderson
Robert G. Barringer
Betty & Page Bauder
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Beaver
Mr. Scott Blackwell
Dr. John A. & Mary Jane Board
Anne & Roger Boeve
Brad & Jan Booker
Theodore L. & Laura Lee Chandler
Nona Collin
Steve & Jamme Coy
Mary Ann Curtin
Susan & John Davenport
Donna T. Douglas
Jo Anne Draucker & Jim Thompson
Larry & Virginia Eiben
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Farrell
Alison Fauls
Jerry & Nancy Finch
Jeffrey Gallagher &
Catherine Howard
Bill & Mary Garrison
Barbara Morris Glenn
The Hon. Roger L. Gregory
Drs. Monroe E. Harris, Jr. & Jill
Bussey Harris
Scott & Reed Harrison
Philip & Anna Hatfield
Dolly Hintz
Joseph & Elizabeth Jennings
Catherine M. Kasko
Karen Kay & Robert Chappell
Ms. Donna Kelliher
Alice & Frank Lennon
Andrew & Emily LeVasseur
Charlotte McCutcheon
Darcie & Blair Nelsen
Kevin & Kate O’Hagan
David & Judy Pahren
Mary Anne Pastore
Jennifer & George Riegel
David & Linda Rose
Gloria Sibley
Ryan & Elizabeth Thalhimer Smartt
Ellen Marie & Rick St. John
Ms. Kathryn Strawn
Mr. William B. Thalhimer III
George Tillman & Lloyd Bryant
Judy H. Turbeville
Mr. & Mrs. John D. Welsh
Featured Players ($500 – $999)
Peter S. & Marcia Alcorn
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. S. Wyndham Anderson
Janie & Billy Armfield
Bruce & Patsy Arnett
Reid & Lisa Ashe
Wendy Bagby
Mr. & Mrs. William Baldwin
Jennifer Ball
Nancy & Scott Belleman
Ann & Eric Berger
Mr. & Mrs. John Ros Bowers Jr.
Bromby Bradley
Renate & Richard Brandt
Kit & Turner Bredrup
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Brinkley III
Austin & Karen Brockenbrough
Mr. Richard L. Brown
Dr. & Mrs. John B. H. Caldwell
Patricia & Colin Campbell
Ms. Patricia Ann Carroll
Joseph & Nancy Cheely
Dr. & Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne
Lyn & John Clarke
Alex Cobb
Tracy & Jeff Coogle
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Cox
Elizabeth K. Dalton
Mary & Gib Davenport
Mr. & Mrs. Huntley Davenport
Philip & Kay Davidson
Thorp & Fraser Davis
Drs. Mark & Georgean DeBlois
Janet & Duane Deskevich
Matthew & Melinda Dumeer
Ms. Doris Elliott
Jud & Angela Elliott
Mr. Michael Escobar
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Farrell
Cliff Fleet & Fran Zimmel
Ms. Hope Harris Foster
Mary & David Frediani
Carol Ann & Sam Fuller
Robert & Kaye Weinstein Gary
P.M. Glave
Carol & Bo Gray
Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Greenberg
Sue Griffin & Wayne Shields
Chubby & Martha Grover
Mr. & Mrs. P. Christopher Guedri
Scott & Melissa Gullquist
Mr. Allan Hamilton
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas P. Harrison
Jim & Jane Hartough
Mike & Sara Henry
Paige & Michael Holbert
David & Rebecca Horner
Elizabeth & Shelton Horsley
WIlliam & Pam Hutton
Lila H. Irby
*Deceased
Ms. Barbara Kincaid
Bev & Sid Koerin
Will & Elizabeth Krusen
Byron & Amy Ladd
Ms. Susan Arlington Lawrence
Jeff & Nancy Leach
Kim & Robert Lebar
Gale Matheney & Judith Futch
Frank & Kay Morton
Allen & Diane Neergaard
Mr. Richard L. Newdick
Tom & Dolores Owens
Ms. Sherrie Evelyn Page
Kathleen Patenaude
Charles & Jill Plageman
Mrs. Sagle Jones Purcell
Dot & Don Robelen
Bob & Cindy Rolfe
Linda & David Rose
Stephanie & Ned Ruffin
Andrew Schaffernoth & Irina Libon
James & Anastasia Seevers
Marcia L. Shipley
Sandi & Dick Shirey
Allison & Brent Spiller
Jill & Andy Stefanovich
Ruth & Richard Szucs
Gail Taylor
Mrs. Britt Hewitt Van Deusen
Phil & Donna Whiteway
John & Margaret Whitlock
Sandra & Roger Wiley
Cary Williams
Louis & Mary Ann Wilson
Stephanie & Marshall Wishnack
Derek Young
Helen Zuelzer
Ensemble ($250 – $499)
Katherine T. & John G. Adamson
Ryan Andrews
Mr. & Mrs. Jason S. Angus
Lucille Baron
Ray, Jeanette, Olivia, &
Adrienne Blaylock
Mrs. Peggy Joe Bogard
Don & Nancy Boyer
Frank B. Bradley, III
Mrs. Bianca Aimee Bryan
Zoe & Ben Bunnell
Jim Bynum
Jim & Cammy Carlton
Dr. Angela Cassano
Jewel & Dean Caven
The Chanbergs
Mr. Mike Chenault
The Rev’d. Dr. E. Allen Coffey &
Dr. Deborah Waters
Mrs. Karen Collier
Mr. T. Christopher Cox
Oriana Dale & John Alderman
Mrs. W. Lauraine Davis
Mr. & Mrs. William F. Dominick III
Mark Dunham
Ida Farinholt
Linda & Earl Ferguson
Mrs. Paige Fitzgerald
Mr. & Mrs. Allen W. Flannagan, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph V. Formica
Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Giles
Yvonne & Charles Gold
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Goldstein
Hon. Frank D. Hargrove, Sr.
*Deceased
Mr. Scott Harris
Sarah S. Harrison
Jennifer Hatchett
Vernard W. Henley
Ms. Janet Hightower
Karen & Barry Hofheimer
Ronald L. Howard
Ms. Gretchen Japhet
Anne H. Jennings
Jessica & Addison Jones
Mary Pat Justice
Ms. Indra Kancitis
Claire C. Kaugars
Katherine & Trent Kerns
Mrs. Jane Norwood Kusiak
Mr. Frank LaRosa
Lester R. Lewis
Steven & Marci Linus
Mary Lloyd & Randy Parks
Ms. Katherine Lowden
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Malecheck
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Mann, Jr.
Ronald Martin
Thomas & Nancy McCandlish
Ms. Jennifer Mccluskey
Mr. & Mrs. C. Glenn Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Carlton P. Moffatt
Kendall Neely
Timothy & Cindy Nolan
Joe & Marilyn O’Connor
Terry & Linda Oggel
Ms. Lloyd Osgood
Patrick A. O’Shea
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas J. Pace
Karen & John Palen
June & Ken Pankey
Ms. Susanna Payne
Mrs. C.D.L. Perkins
Mrs. Page Taylor Reece
Sean A. & Leslie Rising
Bob & Cindy Ritter
Edward & Alice Rivas
Cherill Robertson
Pat & Hugh Rooney
Barbara & John Rose
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Ryan Jr.
Ms. Elizabeth Schnell
Lawrence Schwartz &
Anne-Marie Irani
Scott & Paige Shaheen
Mr. & Mrs. Luther C. Shealy
Martha V. Singdahlsen
Ms. Cheryl Slokker
Jane Sternheimer
Leslie & Al Strickler
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Vallandingham
Mark Van Deusen
George & Carolyn Watkins
Roger & Barbara Whiteway
Ms. Karen Williams
Robert & Helen Williams
Jessica Wittkamp
Crew ($100 – $249)
Ms. Diane M Abato
William & Heidi Abbott
Anne & Robert Adler
Jeanie & Kenneth Alcott
Dr. Stephen Allred
Carroll W & Christopher R Andrews
John & Meredith Arendale
Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Artz
Ann Ayer
Carol G. Baker
Jeannie P. Baliles
Robert & Sandra Balster
Tom & Carlene Bass
Lewis & Doris Baum
Juanita & Richard Beadles
Warren & Christie Beam
Mr. Sean M Beard
Dr. Edward B. & Debbie G. Beirne
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Bell, Jr.
Ms. Jennifer Pons Bellamy
Bruce & Pam Belleman
Bob & Sandra Boclair
Betty M. Borton
Ms. Eugenia H. Borum
Peter & Jakie Bowles
O. Christian & Elizabeth Bredrup
GeorgeAnn & Stuart Broth
Ms. Janet Brown
Anne M. Brumley
Mr. John Bryan
Ms. Ann Burks
Andrew M. Busch
Dr. Charles Eugene Bush
Mrs. Anne D. Butler
Stephen Butters
Lucy B. del Cardayré
Suzanne & Sean Carley
Keith & Pam Carney
Mr. & Mrs. James P. Carreras
C. Lewis Casey
Scott Caulkins
Anne & Guy Chapman
Ron & Brenda Chin
Mrs. Stuart G. Christian, Jr.
Ms. Linda C. Church
Vernelle C. Ciocca
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne III
Sarah Clark
Eva Clarke
Lynn C. Claton
Ms. Janet Coker
Nancy MacGregor Cook
Mr. Dan Cornell
Mr. & Mrs. Leif Daleng
Robbie Daniel
Mrs. Michelle Davis
Mrs. Carolyn Davis
Mr. Renwick Dimond
Ruth Doumlele
Barbara Duling
William Dunbar
Betty & Leo Dunn
Robert Petres & Margare DuVall
Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Edmonds
Elizabeth & J. Rice Edmonds
Dr. Thomas Eichler, MD
Doug & Mindy Elliott
Mr. John D Epps
Carol Esler
Billie Faison
Mr. Kevin J Finto
Alice & George Flowers
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Foley
H. Waldo & Virginia Forster
Mr. & Mrs. Roger T. Fortin
Ms. Melody G. Foster
Belinda C. Friday
Frank & Betty Fuller
Mr. & Mrs. C. Waddy Garrett
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Gary
Larry & Brenda Gilman
JC Gilmore-Bryan
Emily Gitchell
Mr. Carroll Graham
Dianne Graham
Mr. Kevin Grantz
Tony & Gordon Grappone
Linda & Mark Greer
Robert Grey
Richard & Elizabeth Grinnan
Betty Ann Grove
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Groves, Jr.
Richard & Linda Guilmart
Nancy Haga
Mr. & Mrs. James C. Hamilton, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Shepard Harder
Peggy & Cecil Harris
Christie Hartwell
Jean Hester
Mrs. William III Hill
Jeb & Becky Hockman
J. Michael Holland
Jean & Dave Holman
Ron & Conde Hopkins
Guy & Marion Horsley
Dr. Julian Cary Houseman, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Walter B. Howard
Mr. George C Howell, III
Melisa & Matthew Hudson
Mr. & Mrs. Fred P. Huennekens
Kay & Jim Hunter
Lauren Hutcheson
Dr. & Mrs. Charles E. Hutcheson, Jr.
Mrs. Kyla Hwang
Mr. Miles F. Johnson
Jim & Betsy Jollay
Ms. Mary B Jones
Dr. Ryan Jones
Jacqueline Jones
Emily J. Cole & D. Robert Jones, Jr.
Lee & Bill Jones
Bruce M. Justice, FAIA
Guy M. Kinman
Dr. & Mrs. Barry V. Kirkpatrick
Audrey D. Landers
Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Large
Ms. CJ Learnard
Dr. & Mrs. Steven A. Linas
Mr. & Mrs. Walter H. Lohmann, Jr.
Ardyth J. Lohuis
Pat Lorimer
Hyde & Manoli Loupassi
Mary & John Lucas
Kim Macleod
Patricia R. Low & Mark Magette
Mr. David M. Mainella
Samantha & Greg Marrs
Mrs. Betye McCarty
Mr. Thomas McClish
Joan McGranahan
Mr. Stuart Meyer
Mrs. Nancy Meyer
Susan & Stephen Meyers
Bob & Gail Miller
Mr. Andrew T. Moore, Jr.
Thurston & Correll Moore
Mr. T Justin Moore, III
Ann Nichols-Casebolt
Ernest & Gladys Norris
Helen & Chip Nunley
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph O’Hallaron
John & Sarah O’Neill
Mrs. Corbin Adamson Orgain
Mr. & Mrs. Dallas H. Oslin Jr.
Vilma Osmalov
John & Barbara Outland
Ms. Carolyn Outten
F. Stuart & Carolyn Painter
Elizabeth & Charles Parker
Sarah Parrish
Mrs. Margaret Pence
Laura & Steve Pendlebury
Caryn Persinger
Mills & Patricia Piland
Renee Polhemus
Susan Polly
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dean Pope
Lewis & Lisa Powell
Michael & Melissa Radtke
Gordon F. & Selina Rainey
Dorothy M. Ramsey
Brewster & Ann Rawls
Karen Reilly
Lilian & Ralph Rhudy
Mr. C. Edward Richardson III
Mr. & Mrs. David L. Richardson
Mr. Bradley Ridlehoover
Roberta R. Rice
Barbara & Ronny Robertson
Gerard & Kimberly Robinson
Thomas W. Rorrer, Jr.
Mr. Stephen Rudlin
John & Liz Rupp
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Sanders, II
Mr. Carl Schluter
Caroline M. Schutte
Allison Brooks Schwalm
Lynn & Jay Schwartz
Mr. & Mrs. R. Strother Scott
Steve & Carla Shaffer
Mary Ann Sheehan
Mr. & Mrs. Beth & Rob Simms
Ann & George Sledge
James & Mary Smalfelt
Mary Smalling
Edie Smith
Jane Smith
Susie Smyth
Nancy & Steve Snyder
Jack & Mary Spain
Ms. Jane Sper
Charles & Helen Spitzer
Dr. & Mrs. I. Norman Sporn
Ms. Susanne Stone
Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. Strauss
Mrs. Donna Sharp Suro
Griff & Cathy Surowka
Sam & Jennifer Tarry
Eric & Diane Taylor
Claiborne & Anne Terry
Ms. Margaret Thomas
Ms. Judith Watson Tidd
Carol & George Todd
Paula & Richard Troxel
Ms. Melissa Kay Tyler
Pat Vastano & Dennis Lieberman
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Villanueva
Mr. John L. Walker, III
Gloria Wallace
Mary Walsh
Sue & Ritchie Watson
Robert P. & Kimberly S. Webber
Margaret & Fred Weinberg
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Westmoreland
Earl & Dorothy White
Nanette & Richard Whitt
Ann Williams
Mrs. Helen Williams
Laura & Stephen Wilson
Suzanne & Charles Wiltshire
John Moon & Abby Winship
Lisa & Frank Wood
Mr. & Mrs. John Wright
Mr. Berry F. Wright, Jr.
Allen & Linda Wright
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Wunderly
Wm. M. Young
Company ($50 – $99)
Carl R. & Darlene Z. Ackerman
Rick & Liz Albee
Roy & Bonnie Andersen
Ms. Katherine Applewhite
Ric & Rhona Arenstein
Mrs. Brenda Bailey
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Barnett
Dr. & Mrs. Francis E. Barrett
Gary & Debbie Bartle
Robert & Barbara Beasley
Maryann & Danny Belcher
Tami Berry
Jennifer & Bill Blandford
Mr. Joseph Borzelleca
Christopher & Jennifer Bradshaw
Edith Brenner
Doris Brody
Jim & Mildred Bruce
Julia Bryan-Diehl
Greg & Marcia Cameron
Melanie & Patrick Campbell
Sandra & Gus Carle
Alan & Mollie
Ben & Peggy Chappell
Child Development Center
Marshall Cole
Conner Family
Virginia Copping
Frank Creasy
Mr. & Mrs. I. Pascal Cromer, Jr.
Melissa Damiano
Mac & Susan Damron
Ms. Catherine DeLesDernier
Betty Ann Dillon
Mark & Joni Dray
Suzanne & Thomas Drumm
Theresa A. Duffey
Phyllis A. Errico
Dr. & Mrs. Michael B Erwin
Marcella Fierro
Ms. Cyndi Finley
Lisa C. Fusco
Dianna Gabay-Selby
Kristina M Gatti
Selma Graves
Mr. & Mrs. James H. Green
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Groves, Jr.
Sally & Stephen Gudas
Mr. Randolph Samuel Gumenick
Ms. Regine Gunlicks
Kevin & Candee Harris
David & Una Harrison
Mrs. Dorothy Hart
Mrs. Katy Haskell
Brian & Amy Healy
Anne H. & Arthur C. Hendrick Jr.
Rose & Sheldon Herold
Richard & Barbara Higdon
Mrs. Ellen Hofheimer
Amy & Christopher Hollister
George & Margaret Hornburg
Mr. & Mrs. Graham Horne
*Deceased
Mrs. JoAnn Houser
Carol & Bubba Humphries
Ronne Jacobs
Mrs. Giselle Janiszewski
Janice Jesse
Anna Johnson
Danielle Joyce
Willa Kalman
Katherine Kapinos
Denise Goodman Keil & Jeff Keil
Mr. Thomas G. Kennedy, Jr.
Delores Kimbrough
Thomas King
Dan & Bev Kniffen
Ron & Barbara Kozlowski
Justin M. Laughter
Susan Leone
James & Faye Lester
Joan Losen
Mr. Michael Manetas
Mr. & Mrs. Hatley N. Mason, III
Ms. Catherine S Matawaran
William O. McCleney
Mrs. Mary G. Mccormack
James K. Meharg, Jr.
Hannah Miller
Jo & Jack Mitchell
Mr. Larry Mote
Nancy & William Nicholls
Karen & Ken Olshansky
Ms. Nancy Patterson
Patsy Kimbrough Pettus
Christine Porter
Anita Priddy
Jim & Rosemary Prosser
Charles R. Pruett & Associates
Amy & Brian Quigley
Mr. Michael T. Rawlings
Ron & Nancy Rechenbach
R.J. & Elizabeth Rendon
Bob & Jan Reynolds
Mr. Christopher Rivers
Anne Rockecharlie
Elizabeth Schulhof
Wendell & Barbara Seldon
Bob & Connie Setliff
Mr. & Mrs. Sheldon Shapiro
Dianne Hughs Shuler
Ken & Barb Siegman
Beth Sinnenberg
Lee & Amanda Sloppy
Thelma & Wendell Smith
Mr. Richard Souter
Wendy & Elliott Spanier
Col. (R) & Mrs. F. Paul Spera
Mrs. Elizabeth Stallings
Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey M Stanley
Anne P. Stiles
Mr. & Mrs. James A. Stokes
Mr. & Mrs. T. Jameson Stott
Mrs. Cheri Stringer
Alarick Tavares
David Tetrault & Georgia Tetrault
Ellen & John Thompson
Hugh L. & Anne W. Truesdale
David Michael & Leah Walder
Mr. & Mrs. Harold J. Williams, III
Mr. & Mrs. Harold J. Williams Jr.
Mr. C. Ray Wingrove
Joy Winstead
Elizabeth L. Wright
Kenny & Bernice Wyatt
Institutional Contributors
Angels ($25,000 & above)
Altria Client Services, Inc.
The Brink’s Company
E. Rhodes & Leona B.
Carpenter Foundation
CultureWorks
Overton and Katharine Dennis Fund
Dominion Resources
Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Trust
MeadWestvaco
Nunnally Charitable Lead Trust
Shubert Foundation Inc., The
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Lettie Pate Whitehead
Foundation, Inc.
The Windsor Foundation
Producers ($15,000 – $24,999)
BB&T
The Community Foundation for
Greater Atlanta
Lewis and Butler Foundation
Gay and Erskine Love Foundation
Portsmouth General
Hospital Foundation
Richmond Jewish Foundation
Directors ($10,000 – $14,999)
Arenstein Foundation
Franklin Southampton Charities
Cecil R. & Edna S. Hopkins
Family Foundation
Jackson Foundation
Memorial Foundation for Children
Pennpat
Stuart C. Siegel Fund of The
Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Barbara B. and James E. Ukrop
Fund of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
*Deceased
Stars ($5,000 – $9,999)
Bon Secours Richmond
Health System
Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation
Carmax Foundation
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc
Carrie T. and Edward W. Galeski
Fund of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
Godsey & Gibb Associates
Gumenick Management
Company, LLC
Linden Capital LLC
R.E.B. Foundation
R.E.B. Foundation
J. Read Jr. and Janet Dennis
Branch Fund of The
Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Barbara J. Thalhimer & William B.
Thalhimer, Jr. Family Fund of
The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
William H. Tolerton Foundation
Union First Market Bank
Universal Leaf Foundation
WTR Fund of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
In Honor of Scott Wichman and
In Memory of Donald R. Streb
Stage Managers
($2,500 – $4,999)
Agincourt Capital Management
Virginia A. Arnold Fund of The
Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Business Consortium for
Arts Support
Camp Foundation
Capital One
Mary and J.P. Causey Jr. Fund of
The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Family Holdings, LC
Fidelity Brokerage Services
Franklin Federal Foundation
Greater Lynchburg
Community Trust
The Launders Charitable and
Jerome Lonnes
SunTrust
Virginia Eye Institute
Williamsburg Area
Arts Commission
Co-Stars ($1,000 – $2,499)
Ted and Laura Lee Chandler Fund
of The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Chesapeake Corporation
Foundation of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virinia
Christian & Barton, LLP
CSC Leasing
Elmwood Fund
McCandlish Holton
KBS Incorporated
Kjellstrom & Lee, Inc.
KPMG LLP
Markel Corporation
Newport News Arts Commission
Niamtu Alexander Keeney Harris
& Associates
Real Estate Asset Capital
Markets, LLC
Rencourt Foundation, Inc.
Virginia Sargeant Reynolds
Foundation in memory of
Andrew McCutcheon
Kathryn & W. Harry
Schwarzschild Fund
Ryan and Elizabeth Thalhimer
Smartt Charitable Fund of
The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and
Central Virginia
Sarah Brush Thalhimer and
William B. Thalhimer III
Endowment of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
Verizon Virginia
York County Arts Commission
Featured Players ($500 – $999)
Hunton & Williams LLP
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Renaissance Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Riverfront Investment Group
Sterling Management
Thompson McMullan, PC
Stephanie and Marshall Wishnack
Fund of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
Ensemble ($250 – $499)
Katherine T. and John G.
Adamson Family Charitable
Fund of The Community
Foundation Serving Richmond
and Central Virginia
Dairy Queen of Virginia
Friends of Chris Peace
Treacy Family Fund
Crew ($100 – $249)
AMICA Mutual Insurance Company
Federal Realty Investment Trust
General Federation of Women’s
Clubs of VA
Loveland Distributing Co. Inc.
Property Investment Advisors
Richmond Playwrights Forum
Wells Fargo Community
Support Campaign
Company ($50 – $99)
Angela S Elliott Interiors
Kelleher
In Honor and Memoriam
Anonymous
In Honor of Hope Harris
J. Read Jr. and Janet Dennis
Branch
In Memory of Janet Dennis
William H. Carter
In Memory of Alice Carter
Blair Curdts
In Honor of Suzanne Pollard &
Scott Wichmann
Mary Kathryne & Larry Eck
In Honor of Roy E. Burgess II
Ronald E. Grubbs
In Memory of Beverly D.
Grubbs
Ms. Diane W. Halley
In Memory of John &
Florence Walters
The Hoke Family
In Honor of Bruce, Terrie &
Curtis Miller
Rev. & Mrs. Charles Hunt
In Honor of Adele Sherman
Bruce & Terrie Miller
In Memory of Betty Bauder
Julia Nunley
In Honor of Tom McGranahan
Mr and Mrs. William Riley
In Honor of Tim & Mary
McGranahan &
In Memory of Tom McGranahan
Barbara Robertson & June
VanThoen
In Honor of Roy E. Burgess II
Alfred & Meredith Scott
In Memory of Betty Bauder
Mae Derieux Taylor
In Memory of W. Nelson Taylor, Sr.
Robert & Jayne Ukrop
In Memory of Betty Bauder
Tamra and Jeffrey Wilt
In Honor of Chris Cox
Special Gifts
Mr. Bruce Mille and Ms. Terrie Powers
The Curtis and Amy Miller Endowment Fund
InKind Contributors
James T. Babb
Bizport
Bowman Distillery
Circle S Studio
Commonwealth Event Company
Covington Travel
Mr. David Crank
Create Digital
Guardian Parking
Management Services
Judith S. Holland
Ms. Mary Ellen Jackoway
Mary & Ted Linhart
Martin’s
Martin’s
Merrymaker
Ms. Dorothy Moore
P.D. Brooks Co., Inc.
PW Photography
Lynne Shockley In memory of
Lloyd W. Shockley
The Supply Room Companies, Inc.
Virginia Linen Service
Dominion Resources
ExxonMobil
G.E. Foundation
Hamilton-Beach
IBM Corporation
Kraft Foods, Inc.
Markel Corporation
Medco Health Solutions
Pfizer Foundation
Matching Gifts Program
Universal Corporation
Virginia Credit Union
MATCHING GIFTS
Altria Group, Inc.
Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Bank of America Matching Gifts
The Boeing Company
The Brink’s Company
CSX Corporation
*Deceased