VCUarts Theatre

05/21/2026

Congratulations to the legendary Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates - Dr. T - on her retirement after 22 years with VCU Theatre! 🎭 Tawnya Pettiford-Wates

Since joining VCU in 2004, she built a body of work truly inseparable from the life of the community around it. 💛

With an extensive career spanning Broadway, film, television, and beyond, Dr. T brought world-class artistry and a deep commitment to social justice to everything she touched.
As co-founder and artistic director of The Conciliation Project, she created one of VCU's most distinctive and impactful social justice theater programs.

We are so honored to have had her as part of the VCUarts family, Thank you for everything, Dr. T! ✨

Read more here: https://arts.vcu.edu/news/six-decades-of-excellence-celebrating-the-distinguished-careers-of-six-retiring-faculty/

05/20/2026

Meet Brian Barker (BFA '03) VCUarts Theatre alum, Richmond native, and founder of Barker Designs. 🎨🎭

The Theatre alum came home to Richmond and built a set design company that spans "Sesame Street," gubernatorial inaugurations and presidential campaign rallies, with VCUarts alumni at every turn.

"The quality of people coming out of the VCU theatre program is, and always has been, very good." — Brian Barker, BFA '03

Read the full story by Anastasia Mineiro
🔗

Photo: Barker Design has helped stage events for a variety of clients, including “Sesame Street.” (Contributed image) Brian Barker, B.F.A. ’03 isn’t where he thought he’d be, but he is…

05/13/2026

🗓️ 🌟Save the date: 2026-27 VCUarts Theatre Mainstage season

VCUarts Theatre is excited to announce the 2026-27 Mainstage season featuring a variety of genres, styles and time periods, including a classic from William Shakespeare.This season explores a variety of topics while supporting student growth across acting, design and technology.

The lineup includes a timeless story of star-crossed lovers approached in a new way; a play that addresses mental health, addiction and the pressures of modern life; a provocative comedy that takes place over the course of one woman’s life, highlighting the history of racial stereotyping in Hollywood; and culminates with a spring musical that features the lengths one man would go to ensure his success.

📍 “Romeo and Juliet, a LGBTQIA+ Love Story”
By William Shakespeare
Oct. 1-4, 2026

📍 “People, Places and Things”
By Duncan Macmillan
Nov. 12-15, 2026

📍 “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”
By Lynn Nottage
Feb. 25-28, 2027

📍 “Merrily We Roll Along”
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based on the original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
April 16-25, 2027

Tickets to the fall productions go on sale late this summer. Stay turned for information about purchasing our newly launching ticket packages by keeping up to date with the season and tickets: arts.vcu.edu/theatre/mainstage-season/

05/12/2026

✨ Alumni Spotlight!
We're always excited to see our alumni out there doing big things, and Malorie Mackey is no exception! 🎬

Her unique adventure travel show, Weird World Adventures, is now streaming Season 2 on Amazon Prime and the Fawesome app (Roku, Fire TV, Amazon TV, and Apple TV)!

Follow along as Malorie and her team explore the weird, wonderful, and unexpected corners of our world.

🎥 Watch on Amazon Prime: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0KZ4MYC9RLM0996OQFF3KH7SY2/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s2

📺 Watch on Fawesome: https://fawesome.tv/shows/92976/weird-world-adventures

Congratulations, Malorie! You make us so proud. 🎉

05/09/2026

A HUGE congratulations is in order for the graduating class of 2026! 🎉

A wonderful graduation day yesterday with lots of tears and laughter and celebration. We will miss you guys so much and cannot wait to see what you all get up to next!

Your impact will stay with this department forever! 🌟🤍

VIDEO:

05/08/2026

🌟 Spotlight: Zeke Valade 🌟

You may have caught Zeke's talent onstage in our Mainstage production of The Crucible, or most recently in Doomsday Theatre Co.'s Once More, With Feeling!

💚 What's an important lesson you've learned during your time here?

"Take your time, and don't give in. Rushing to create opportunities for yourself will put you in the right place at the wrong time. So rest up and get ready for the opportunity to come to you. Wait for it."

💚 What's a fond memory you have of your time at VCU?

"The entire creation process of 'Once More, With Feeling.' My last show at VCU was one I'll never forget. I was given an opportunity as an actor that I had never before gotten, and that was a chance to truly be myself. Through this musical, I found the role I was given fit my personality and essence more perfectly than most shows I've done. The Buffy Musical was a brilliant exercise in exploring my acting essence that I am better off for having done."

💚 Tell us about your mentor(s)/professor(s) and how they supported or challenged you!

"Every professor had a valuable lesson for me to take from. EB gave me my first pearl of wisdom that changed me here at VCU: 'If it's not a 'Hell yes,' it's a 'Hell no.'' The all-in philosophy was a push I needed as a freshman that challenged my way of viewing my pursuit of the arts. DT challenged me to be myself in scenes and to not put too much sauce on my performances. To 'be Zekey-Poo' was a note that made me kinder. To 'be a king' was a note that made me use that softness to be stronger. Karen Kopryanski and Dr. T were two professors who showed me how to accept and channel parts of me that I resisted, allowing me to more effectively BE 'Zekey-Poo.' Through spiritual practices, meditation, and freeing my voice and body (thank you Nicole Cowans and Dr. Tippi Hart), I am more myself than I have ever been. Getting to know and find myself has been a transformative journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes me next, because as Dr. T said, we are ALWAYS becoming."

💚 What's next for you?

"I'm sticking around RVA to explore the stages around Richmond and all around Virginia. I'll be reading the books I've acquired from all my classes (buy the recommended readings, people!) to continue my education, as well as attending workshops and reflecting on my journey as an artist as I continue to evolve."

💚 Zeke's heart, presence, and dedication to his craft have meant so much to our community. We are so proud of you and can't wait to cheer you on as you continue becoming - on Richmond stages and beyond!

05/08/2026

🌟 Spotlight: Telana (TJ) Washington 🌟 .winchester
TJ’s brilliant eye for design has beautifully illuminated our stages! Most recently, you may have seen TJ’s talents as the Lighting Designer for The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite or as the Assistant Lighting Designer for A Chorus Line. TJ has also brought her talents to Park and Bark Drag’s Black Excellence Shows as Lighting Designer.
💜 What’s an important lesson you’ve learned during your time here?
“Always take care of yourself!! Everything I have learned about lighting design at VCU is invaluable, but to apply it I had to learn to take care of myself first. You don’t get a first place medal for burning yourself out and you will feel more accomplished if you come out the other side with energy to appreciate your work. You will create amazing art when your mind, soul, and body are aligned!”
💜 What’s a fond memory you have of your time at VCU?
“The breaks during focuses will always have a special place in my heart. Lighting practicum is where we foster community within the lighting department, but focus is where our friendships truly shine. I am forever grateful for my friends I made at VCU and the time we all spent together late at night putting the shows up. ♡”
💜 Tell us about your mentor(s)/professor(s) and how they supported or challenged you!
“Every single one of my theatre professors here at VCU have wanted to see nothing but my success. I would not be able to graduate without their kind words and support throughout my college career!”
💜 What’s next for you?
“Next, I am pursuing the Allen Lee Hughes fellowship with hopes to be accepted as the assistant lighting designer/fellow. Every step I take after college is one step in the direction of becoming the first Black female lighting designer to win a Tony Award!”
💜 TJ’s talent, vision, and creativity have enriched our community on and off the stage. We are so proud of your hard work and can’t wait to cheer you on as you earn your well-deserved Tony Award!

05/08/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓✨💛🖤

05/07/2026

🌟 Senior Spotlight: Casey Paige Henley 🌟

You may have seen Casey’s incredible stage presence as Abigail Williams in our Mainstage production of The Crucible! She recently also understudied for Stanley in Va Rep’s The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. Casey makes her lead film debut TOMORROW in HOMEGROWN, directed by Ella Satterfield for Ringling College of Film and Design in Sarasota Florida!

Up next she’s working on an unannounced FireHouse Show directed by Dr.T!

💛 What's an important lesson you've learned during your time here?
"EVERYTHING IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM!! Good or bad, my tool belt feels so full :) "

💛 What’s a fond memory you have of your time at VCU?
“Directing Dry Land for SALT. The single most artistically rewarding experience during my time here at vcu. Love love love that show and everyone involved

05/06/2026

🌟 Senior Spotlight: Diana Altenhof 🌟

Diana has been a remarkably outgoing and friendly force in our department! You likely recognize them from Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (Maria, Itchy), Rhinoceros (Old Gentleman), SALT's The Bacchae (Chorus), VCU Improv (Toxic Shock, Kickstart, Crimes Against Fantasy), Solo Performance at Virginia Rep with Dr. T, or performing with Park and Bark Drag as "Deet Wentz".

🩵 What's an important lesson you've learned during your time here?
"There is nothing wrong with me - everything I have to offer is a gift and a tool. Loving and believing in myself is what makes my goals come to life! The longer I loathe myself, the less I can act, create, and function. I am powerful even when I think I'm weak. My good friend Casey told me, "You have all the strength and pride of a ****ing walrus", and I will never forget that again, I promise. "

🩵 What’s a fond memory you have of your time at VCU?
“Hanging out at Village with the Mr. Burns cast during one of our long tech days. We passed our baby pictures around the table and had a shirley temple taste test. I've never had more fun with a cast than I have with the Mr. Burns group! We rallied together, loved on each other, and did some seriously heavy lifting with our work.”

🩵 Tell us about your mentor(s)/professor(s) and how they supported or challenged you!
"I am so grateful to have several mentors during my time here.
EB/Elizabeth Byland was the first professor to trust me with a major performance opportunity with VCU Improv in fall of freshman year and has stuck by me my whole career. She has never stop encouraging me to be brave and keep trying when things are hard.
Emily Mattison has also known me since freshman year and has helped me take ownership of my education as a BA. I've cried and laughed in her office more times than I can count, and I know she'll always affirm me and find clarity.
I only met Dr. T this year, but she has been my rock. She's taught me to be a radical truth teller and to own my story. She's made me face my fears so that I can rise above them and go for what I want.
DT offered me compassion in my toughest moments and gave me the great breakthrough of "there's nothing wrong with you". He's also knocked out my acting "bad habits" and I always hear his voice when I perform.
And Wes? That's my icon. Thank you for being unapologetically you."

🩵 What's next for you?
"I am staying in Richmond for at least a year to build up my acting resume and get a strong professional footing. I hope to stay a little longer than that, but I'll see where life takes me."

🩵 Diana has made a lasting impact on our department. We are so proud of the hard work you've put in and we will miss the bright energy you bring to every rehearsal! We can’t wait to see where your talent and ambition take you next!