SO much good news!!

Last night was ARTSIE (Richmond Theater Critics Circle Award Event) night in Richmond.

Theatre VCU was represented well.

Here is a sampling:

Topping the list of winners was Richmond Triangle Players’

production of “bare: a pop opera,” which won the coveted Artsie for Best Musical.

(tons of players were VCU students & alumni: directed by Justin Amellio _ see below, featuring Ian Page, Morgan Meadows, Joe Winters & Lucian Restivo - students & alumni, lighting by Rebecca Brooks - alumnus)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role — Play: Nick Aliff for “Any Given Monday,” produced by Firehouse Theatre Project 
(Nick graduated  with a BFA in Performance in 2010)

Best Choreography: Patti D’Beck for “The Producers,” produced by Virginia Repertory Theatre
(Everyone knows Patti - Professor of Choreography & Movement and Director of Hairspray)


Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Design: K. Jenna Ferree for “Next To Normal,” produced by Cadence Theatre in cooperation with Virginia Rep
(Jenna graduated with a BFA in Lighting and now teaches Lighting Practicum here)


Justin Amellio was presented with the Artsie for Best Direction of a Musical for his work on “bare: a pop opera.”
(Justin graduated with his MFA in 2011 and now teaches at Univ. of Indiana, South Bend)

The evening also turned momentarily poignant when Virginia Rep artistic director Bruce Miller and managing director Phil Whiteway presented the Liz Marks Memorial Award for Ongoing Contribution to Richmond Area Theatre posthumously to Tom McGranahan for his longtime support of the Richmond theater scene.

McGranahan, a local actor and theater booster known throughout the community for more than 40 years, died in May at age 82.

(Tom was also Kevin McGranahan's dad, and was much beloved by everyone in the Richmond theatre scene)

Go HERE for more about the ARTSIES!

Another achievement worth noting:

Noreen Barnes, Theatre VCU's Director of Graduate Studies, has been elected to the Executive Board of Theatre Library Association.  The TLA was founded in 1937 and supports librarians and archivists affiliated with theatre, dance, performance studies, popular entertainment, motion picture and broadcasting collections. it publishes Broadside, and online newsletter and Performing Arts Resources, a monograph series, as well as conference compendia.

Congratulations to ALL!!