Founded in 1914 in Virginia

Virginia Stage Company Reaches Community 

Posted by Ed Ware on May 02, 2017
 
Tom Quaintance, VSC Producing Artistic Director (l) and Barbara Lipskis (r)
 
Club Program
 
Rotarian Barbara Lipskis introduced guest speaker Tom Quaintance, Producing Artistic Director, Virginia Stage Company. Tom joined VSC in December from the Cape Fear, NC Regional Theater. VSC is the state’s premier professional theater in its 38th season.
 
At Cape Fear, Tom focused on programming that appealed to racially diverse and military community audiences. “The most important work I can do as an artistic leader is to grapple with issues that matter, so that the theatre becomes a place that nourished conversations we need to have to grow as a community,” he said.
 
Tom reported that this season’s productions are meeting or exceeding box office expectations with Street Car Named Desire, Venus in Fur and The Wiz featuring a collaborative cast from Norfolk State University.
His top priorities in choosing productions are: great art, representation of entire community and strong financial profile.
 
Tom raised the curtain on the seven production 2017-18 season, which opens September 13 with Ring of Fire, a jukebox musical of Johnny Cash renditions and closes May 9 with return of Crowns, a popular gospel musical.
In response to questions, Tom provided updates on the capital campaign to complete backstage and seating renovations as well as challenges of casting with tight budgets and theater union rules.
 
The Meeting:  A book, “Rufus the Writer” was provided to Little Creek Elementary. 
Bob Heely led music accompanied by Frank Whitman. Rachael Bellis provided a beautiful invocation.
 
Visitation Report: Winston Whitehurst reported Bill Jonak doing much better, Sally Hartman, and Joe Massey have returned.
 
Introduction of Guests:  Pam Tubbs introduced guests Paul Bidaset and Wes Russow. Laurie Harrison introduced visiting Rotarian Ray Spencer from VA Peninsula Club. Barbara Lipskis introduced Melissa Day of VSC and Sally Clark.
 
May Birthdays:
Name                             Date                  Name                         Date
 
Ned Alderman                  9                    Steve C. Jones           30
Rachel Bellis                    9                    Gene Justice               15
Gary Boswick                 31                    Bill McInnis                  27
Frank Graves                   4                    Chef Tim McDougal    26
Laurie Harrison              10                    Anthony Mia                27
 
 
Club Announcements:
  • John Padgett introduced new member Tami Aloisa, who was cosponsored by Angela Kerns.
  • Carlisle Wroton announced Golf Outing
  • Jim Kitz mentioned flexible events—crepe myrtle pruning & Clean the Bay Day.
  • Gary Boswick encouraged annual donations to Rotary Foundation. EREY!
Fines/Happy Bucks
  • Sally Hartman, precautions involving recent illness
  • Bob Heely, profile in Ghent Living
  • Chick Robison on recent Israel trip;
  • Win Lewis on trip to Quebec City
  • Michael Desplanes on NATO Fest
  • Dyteya Lewis on new car
  • Jim O’Brien ?
  • Barbara Lipskis on Autism Awareness Month
  • Jane Dembert, Green Run HS won national NJROTC competition.