help bring back THE WELLS
Over the course of just three days, the Wells Theatre faced two major floods and an extraordinary response from our staff, artists, volunteers, first responders, City partners, and community. Here’s how the events unfolded and how so many people came together to protect the Wells.
Now, we need your help. As we assess the full extent of the damage and begin the long work of recovery, please consider making a gift to help Virginia Stage Company and the Wells Theatre move forward.
Thursday Evening, August 20
During a severe rainstorm Thursday, water began pouring into the historic Wells Theatre, reaching the stage, backstage areas, box seats, hallways, and other spaces throughout the building. VSC staff and crews immediately sprang into action, working to contain the water, protect equipment and production materials, and begin assessing the damage.
Once the storm passed, the scope of the cleanup became clear. Water had affected numerous areas of the Wells, including our stage, requiring damaged portions of the stage floor to be removed and replaced. Restoration crews began the process of removing water and drying the building, while our team worked to prepare the Wells for the arrival of audiences for Come From Away.
At the time, we believed we were facing several difficult days of cleanup and recovery. We did not yet know that another, even more serious flooding event was still to come.
Saturday Morning, August 22
Saturday morning brought an extraordinary reminder of how much the Wells Theatre means to this community.
More than 40 volunteers joined VSC staff at the Wells to help with the initial cleanup. They rolled up their sleeves, moved materials, cleaned affected areas, and helped us make tremendous progress toward recovering from Thursday's flood. Others throughout Hampton Roads reached out with messages of encouragement, offers of assistance, and financial support.
We are deeply grateful to every person who gave their time and energy to help us. Although none of us knew what Saturday night would bring, their work that morning mattered enormously. When the Wells flooded for a second time just hours later, we were in a much better position to respond because of the work our volunteers and staff had already done.
Saturday night was devastating, but without the people who showed up Saturday morning, the damage could have been even worse.
Saturday Evening, August 22
Just hours after volunteers and staff completed Saturday's cleanup effort, another storm moved through Norfolk and the Wells flooded again.
A drain pipe running from the roof through a backstage hallway failed, sending water pouring into the building. For nearly two hours, VSC staff, the cast and crew of Come From Away, representatives from the City of Norfolk, firefighters, and others worked together in a massive bucket brigade to contain the water. Forty-five-gallon trash cans were positioned beneath the rushing water and filled within seconds as teams worked continuously to empty and replace them. Others used brooms and anything available to push water away from the Come From Away set and other vulnerable areas.
Despite those extraordinary efforts, the second flood brought significantly more water into the Wells than Thursday's storm. Water reached the stage, auditorium, scene shop, backstage areas, and spaces beneath the stage, where theatrical sound and lighting equipment is housed.
Restoration crews worked through the aftermath to remove the standing water and begin drying the building. We are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and what it will take to recover.
Through an incredibly difficult night, one thing was unmistakable: people refused to give up on the Wells. Our artists, staff, first responders, City partners, restoration crews, volunteers, and community stood together to protect this theatre. We cannot thank them enough.
Help Us Bring the Wells Back
The road ahead is uncertain, but we know we cannot do it alone. Your gift will help Virginia Stage Company respond to the extensive damage at the Wells, cover unexpected recovery costs, and continue our work of bringing artists, audiences, and our community together. If the Wells Theatre and Virginia Stage Company have ever been part of your story, please consider making a gift today. Every gift, at every level, makes a difference.
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