NORFOLK , Va. (WAVY) — Another local arts organization faces a significant loss of funding due to federal cuts, as Norfolk’s Virginia Stage Company works to navigate forward short of needed grants.
Stand Up For The Arts!
In the late evening of May 2, 2025, Virginia
Stage Company received word that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was withdrawing a $15,000 grant that had been awarded to us to support performances of the mental health-focused play, Every Brilliant Thing, for high school audiences. The NEA’s email explained that our program does not align with new funding priorities, intended to “reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”
Annual Fundraising Gala 2025
It's Christmas in July! Join our Mistletoe Market
🎄 Christmas in July Mistletoe Market
Presented by Virginia Stage Company
July 20, 2025 at the historic Wells Theatre
11am-5pm
Step into a world of mid-summer magic at our Christmas in July Mistletoe Market—a festive, family-friendly celebration of local creativity and community spirit!
Join us inside the beautifully historic Wells Theatre, downtown Norfolk’s hidden gem, where holiday cheer comes early. This unique market showcases an incredible lineup of local artists, artisans, and crafters offering handmade treasures perfect for gifting—or keeping for yourself.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING, a Part of the Norfolk Theatre Festival
EVERY BRILLIANT THING
June 8, 2025 at 7:30
Norfolk State University Brown Hall Main Theatre
Every Brilliant Thing is an immersive storytelling experience that blends comedy, improv, and audience interaction. It tells the story of someone growing up in the shadow of their mother's struggle with suicidal depression while learning to grapple with their own journey.
Every Brilliant Thing provides a life-affirming jolt of humanism, reminding us that hope comes from the miracles of life’s minutiae. Seating is performed on the NSU Theatre stage for an up-close and intimate evening.
This performance is free, though we do recommend you RSVP to ensure your seat.
CAST:
Candunn Jennette (Candunn) is elated to embark on another journey with the Virginia Stage Company. Between touring the country with the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters, she has nestled into several creative ventures such as writing, but most importantly, being immersed in performance as a true lover of the arts. Some of her works include Regional: Comedy of Errors (Duke/Adriana/Kim Karcourtesan), Beneath the Surface (Dr. Alexander), (Virginia Stage Company) Miss Understood (Nia), Zeiders American Dream Theatre University: Funny House of a Negro (Sarah), The Colored Museum (Lala Lamazing Grace), The Wiz (Church Lady/Ensemble), The Amen Corner (Margret/Odessa), Black Nativity (Ensemble), The Color Purple (Ensemble), Fences (Rose), For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide (Lady in Green), Anna Alone (Anna) (Norfolk State University) Other Credits: Spread Game World Tour (Gran’Mama/Dr. Broke Ankles) (Harlem Globetrotters Inc.) Education: Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Performance from Norfolk State University.
Every Brilliant Thing is directed by Tom Quaintance. Lighting Design by Joseph (Joey) Muller.
Scott Wichmann: MISTER SHOWTIME, Part of the Norfolk Theatre Festival
SCOTT WICHMANN: MISTER SHOWTIME
June 21, 2025 at 7:30
Virginia Art Festival’s Robin Hixon Theatre
Blending the best of the Rat Pack, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and more, Scott Wichmann is Mister Showtime, bringing back the style and flair of a bygone era with his signature charisma.
Backed by a tight trio led by Musical Director Ryan Corbitt, Mister Showtime is a great night out for both the young and the young at heart!
“He's got a voice like a million bucks and, more importantly, a sharp and sassy stage presence.”
~STYLE Weekly
“Scott Wichmann is a Force of Nature.”
~The Richmond Times-Dispatch
VEER Magazine: Virginia Stage Closes Season with Every Brilliant Thing
By Jerome Langston
“Every Brilliant Thing is a play that I have seen more often than any other play that I’ve directed,” says Tom Quaintance, the Producing Artistic Director of Virginia Stage Company, during a recent phone chat earlier this week. It’s quite the striking statement from this long-time AD and theatre director, who has obviously seen a whole lot of shows during his decades long career. Tom led VSC’s 2022 production of Every Brilliant Thing, which closed out season 43. Now it’s bringing season 46 to a fitting close, with a short run production on stage at the Wells, that also celebrates its successful touring production — a show that has impacted thousands of people with its over 70 performances.
