SILVER SEASON SPONSOR THANK YOU for 25 years of enriching our community through the arts. Chesapeake Bank and Chesapeake Wealth Management proudly support Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts. John O’Shaughnessy Jean Light * chesbank.com Member FDIC chesapeakewealth.com *Not insured by FDIC or any federal government agency. May lose value. Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, Chesapeake Bank or any bank affiliate. 2018 -2019 WELCOME TO THE 25TH SILVER SEASON MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT RFA BOARD Welcome to the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts OF DIRECTORS On Stage 25th Silver Anniversary Season. As the new President of the RFA, I am truly honored to be working Jamie Tucker President with wonderful volunteers who give so much time to the RFA. I retired from Baltimore County Public Bev Upshur Vice President Schools as the PreK-12 Coordinator of Music for 152 schools, where I witnessed first-hand the impact that Cyndie Stephenson Treasurer the arts have in the lives of children and adults. That belief is supported by the RFA whose mission is to Barbara Breeden provide exceptional performing arts experiences to the Jackie Burke community and the schools. Elsie Delva-Smith On Stage performances have been made possible Bryant Hudgins by many people, who believe that life is richer with Kara Johnson artistic expression and creativity. The RFA is deeply Michael Kennedy appreciative of the support from our Silver Sponsors Donna McGrath and local foundations. We are also fortunate to John Mecke receive generous contributions from individual donors Linda Norman highlighted on our Silver Supporters page, as well as Micki Pugh our Silver Benefactors who have provided additional Lee Pulling funding to support our 25th Silver Anniversary Lucy Schneider programming and ensure our investments. Lisa Shivers Peggy Stalnaker Our Playbill advertisers are also critical to the success of On Stage and we encourage you to recognize them Carole Barton by patronizing their businesses. Several restaurants are RFA Administrator providing discounts to any ticket holder the evening of an On Stage performance so please enjoy dinner and a Rappahannock show! Foundation for the Arts We thank you for attending this very special year of P.O. Box 459 celebration, for it is your support and tireless efforts Kilmarnock VA 22482 that allow us to present this exciting On Stage 25th (804) 438-5555 Silver Anniversary Season. rappahannockfoundation.org Jamie Tucker, President Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” ― Confucius THEN AND NOW THEN AND NOW CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ON STAGE PERFORMANCES In 1986, the Rappahannock Foundation, Inc. was founded by a few retirees who wanted to expand artistic activity in Lancaster and surrounding counties. The group, led by John Binns, began supporting local arts organizations and providing local concerts in the school gym. Through the efforts of these visionary founders and subsequent volunteer Board members, many meetings and fundraising activities were initiated to help build the Lancaster Middle School Theater. Then in October 1993, the On Stage premiere season curtains opened with the first performance by the Virginia Symphony. Since that time, the RFA has presented 136 On Stage productions to the community for 25 continuous years. Our current roster includes Grammy and award-winning musicians from around the globe. These exemplary performances have helped the RFA grow to become a leading arts foundation in the Northern Neck. Patrons only need to drive to Kilmarnock to see productions that often appear in Richmond, at Wolftrap, or in New York. Ms. Ellen Bray, former board member and chair of the Presenters Committee in 1993 said it best, “to have the quality performance which is being offered and have it here at home, we think the On Stage is a singular bargain”. RFA IS HONORED WITH THE BEDROCK AWARD FROM VCA In January 2018, the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts was selected from over 350 nominees to be one of 50 recipients of the “50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Award” from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. The award recognizes programs, individuals, and organizations who have played a critical role in the arts in Virginia in VCA Commissioners Jay the last 50 years. Recipients were recognized as being Dick (left) and Jo Hodgin (right) present the award to today’s leaders and tomorrow’s visionaries. Peggy Stalnaker and Jamie Tucker, past and present RFA The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts was named presidents. as a “Bedrock Institution.” Arts organizations in that category must have been in existence more than ten years and demonstrated a benefit to the economic health and or tourism in the community, exhibited artistic excellence, celebrated diversity and showcased Virginia as a cultural destination. The RFA is proud of this prestigious award and dedicated to the continuance of providing exemplary performances and sustained leadership in the arts to the Northern Neck community. FLASHBACK Symphony to present ‘Mozart & More’ Oct. 3 From concerts to soloists to dramas, professional stage attractions are on their way to the Northern Neck as the Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts introduces its new “On Stage” performing arts series featuring three stellar productions beginning in the fall at the Lancaster Middle School auditorium. “The recent Epic Brass virtuoso horn ensemble concert, sponsored by the Foundation, provided a singular example of the level of attractions,” said Ellen Bray, chairman of the RFA Presenters Committee. Doug Richards will conduct “Now concertgoers or playgoers who have had to travel his Great American Music Ensemble as one of the to Richmond or Norfolk to hear a symphony or other stage Rappahannock Foundation attractions will find professional performances on the stage for the Arts new “On here at home,” said Foundation President John Binns. Stage” series for 1993-1994 The three productions planned for the coming fall-winter- spring On Stage series are the Virginia Symphony of Norfolk, the Great American Music Ensemble with the renowned jazz group of Doug Richards of Richmond, and “Dracula!” presented by Barter Theatre of Abingdon. The Virginia Symphony will be on the Middle School auditorium stage Sunday, October 3. Doug Richards’ jazz ensemble will appear Thursday, February 17, and Barter Theatre’s “Dracula” will be presented Sunday, March 27. Tickets for the On Stage series are $45 total for the three productions. Tickets will be on sale at the auditorium box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays beginning April 12 and continuing through April 30. Mastercard and Visa are accepted. The box office phone is 435-0292. “To have the quality performance which is being offered and have it here at home, we think the On Stage series is a singular bargain,” Bray said. The October 3 program will be by the 49-member “Mozart and More” ensemble of The Virginia Symphony. The program will include Ravel’s “Mother Goose,” and oboe concerto by Mozart and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8. Doug Richards’ Great American Music Ensemble, coming February 17, brings some of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Fletcher Henderson. Richards’ ensemble is recognized as one of the premier jazz groups in the nation. The king of the vampires, Dracula, takes the stage March 27 as America’s oldest professional equity theatre, Barter Theatre, brings melodrama at its bloodcurdling best. On Stage series tickets can be purchased by mail as well as at the box office. Mail orders may be addressed to: Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts, Box 459, Kilmarnock, 22482. Article of April 8, 1993 reprinted with permission of the Rappahannock Record. ARTS FOR YOUTH ENRICHING EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts supports arts education as the key to achieving understanding, appreciation, and creative expression in our young people. Americans for the Arts states that “research has shown impressive benefits of arts education on entire school culture—especially student motivation, attitudes, and attendance”. Through grants that the RFA receives, we are able to bring quality, professional performances to schools in Lancaster County, reaching children at a younger age to encourage creative thinking while enjoying a live performance outside of their traditional classroom setting. RFA strives to nurture and spark the imaginations of youth in our area, offer inspiration, and promote and develop life skills Virginia Repertory Theatre will perform “The Legend of through the arts. Sleepy Hollow” at Lancaster Middle School in October 2018. For 2018-19, the Arts for Youth program received grant support from two local foundations. The River Counties Community Foundation and The Tidewater Foundation are directing resources toward programs in Lancaster County schools. The generous community support from these two local foundations greatly enhances arts education in our schools. This season’s six performances focus on musicals and drama from “The Legends of Sleepy Hollow” to the classics “The Princess and the Pea” and “The The Barter Players will present “The Adventures of Tom Adventures of Tom Sawyer” to Sawyer” in February 2019 at Lancaster Middle School. “School House Rock.” During the 2017-18 school year, eight shows were staged for over 2,000 students and were designed to engage and entertain while reinforcing state educational standards of learning. RESTAURANT SILVER PARTNERS The following restaurants are making special offers to RFA On Stage ticket holders on