The Virginia Commission for the Arts is excited to launch the redesigned license plate for the arts! On Friday, January 19, with the studio of VCA-grantee Charlottesville Ballet as the backdrop, the VCA announced the license plate and its availability through both local DMVs throughout the Commonwealth and the DMV website.

The plate – with its new colorful design – supports the state’s vibrant arts community. A majority of the fees for each Virginians for the Arts plate goes directly to the VCA and our grants are designated for artists and arts organizations.

By registering for the license plate, citizens support visual arts, performing arts, literary arts and more that inspire, connect, and educate all Virginians.

Register or Renew with the DMV!

Interested in supporting the VCA and raising grant dollars through the license plate? Sample social media posts, arts license plate slides, and an arts license plate poster are available on our website!

The VCA also has printed 18×24 posters for the promotion of the license plate. Click the link below to share how many and where to send them!

Request Free Posters
License Plate Resources and Information

The Zeiders American Dream Theater debuts a new play that discusses the topics of feminism, mental health and society as a whole in a thrilling and touching new drama that will delight horror and mystery lovers alike. 

“To Listen Past The Quiet” follows two sisters who start a house renovation, but soon begin to uncover its secrets, and the mysterious history of the Sally sisters from the 1860s. As both sisters’ stories converge in a visit from the afterlife, it becomes clear that the real horror is breaking the tight bonds of sisterhood.

“This show is a reminder of the strength or women through adversity and the bond of sisterhood from a unique perspective,” said Moriah Joy, who plays Kate Sally in the production.

A departure from classic winter entertainment, the new play is a “love letter to the paranormal”, and leans heavily on the horror theme. It’s sure to appeal to lovers of ghost stories, history and theater alike.

“A horror play is a fun way to start the new year because it scares us out of our comfort zone and challenges us to try new things,” said Joy on the play.

The new play features a local cast, and is directed by Jason Kypros:

Tiff Siddiky* as Violet
Indya Ann Jackson* as Corrine
Moriah Joy as Kate Sally
Annabelle Dragas Xanthos as Florence Sally
James Manno as John Cornice/Bryan
Samuel Flint as Jaxyn
Taylor Durham as Florence/Corrine US
Maya Pagtakhan as Violet /Kate US
*Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association (AEA)

“To Listen Past the Quiet” opens January 25-February 3 at the Zeiders American Dream Theater in Virginia Beach Town Center. Tickets are on sale now at thez.org or by calling the box office at 757-499-0317. 

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Zeiders American Dream Theater

Please join us for auditions! We are casting for two exciting productions – a vibrant music revue and a
heartwarming family show. The music revue is a multi-genre music production, and the family show will
be a devised piece (created by the ensemble) consisting of unique stories from the artists. We welcome
performers of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to bring these productions to life.

Production: All Roads Lead to Home – A Roūge Original Production Series
Production Dates: Multiple dates TBA between January 30 – June 30, 2024
Director: Leila Stephanie
Compensation: Paid

What We’re Looking For & Audition Details:
• Actors with a passion for storytelling. We are especially interested in the inclusivity of
artists who have cultural experiences rooted in BIPOC communities and are interested in
sharing their stories.
•Acting Only: Prepare a 1 to 2-minute monologue
• Singers with captivating voices and stage presence
•Singing: Prepare a 1 to 2-minute vocal performance
•Singing and Acting: Prepare a 1-minute vocal performance & 1-minute
monologue

Bring any necessary prerecorded accompaniment for vocal auditions. Headshots and resumes are
appreciated but not required. Our goal is to create a cast that reflects the rich tapestry of cultures within
our community, so we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to audition.

Location:
Zeiders American Dream Theater
4509 Commerce Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
RSVP and Inquiries:
[email protected]
404-944-7863

Roūge VA is an equal-opportunity employer. We value and respect the diversity each artist brings to the
stage. We look forward to seeing the incredible talent that our community has to offer!

Black Girl Magic 

Written by: Sharon Cook

Music and Lyrics by: Roberta Lea

Directed and Choreographed by: Jennifer Kelly-Cooper

SYNOPISIS

A young Black woman filled with self-doubt, takes a journey through time guided by her African ancestors and finds self-love and acceptance.

AUDITIONS

Seeking performers from school age to 60+

Vocal Auditions –  Saturday, January 6th 11AM – 4:30PM 

*Bring a vocal track (karaoke track) to sing with.

Dance Auditions – Sunday, January 7th 2–6PM

Callbacks – Monday, January 8th (By request only)

If you wish to audition please complete the Audition Form so that we can best accommodate all seeking to audition.

LOCATION

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

740 Hampton Blvd.

Norfolk Virginia 23505

REHEARSAL

Rehearsals are slated for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting Monday, January 15th.

PERFORMANCES

Friday, March 1st – Kelsey Theater

Saturday, March 2nd – Kelsey Theater

Sunday, March 3rd – Kelsey Theater

*Please note that this production of Black Girl Magic will travel to New Jersey. Travel and lodging will be provided.

Watch the Black Girl Magic Trailer here!

UPAC welcomes those of all artistic journeys and abilities. Although this story is told through the lens of a Black woman, all women are encouraged to audition

Norfolk, VA – Virginia Stage Company is proud to announce the opening of its much-anticipated production, Dial M for Murder, a classic thriller that promises to captivate audiences with its suspenseful plot, riveting performances, and masterful storytelling.  This production is presented by The Edwin S. Webster Foundation.

Patrons of Virginia Stage Company will be transported to the elegant and mysterious world of Frederick Knott’s renowned play. Set against the backdrop of London in the 1950s, Dial M for Murder follows the story of Tony Wendice, a retired professional tennis player who devises a cunning plan to murder his wealthy wife, Margot. What unfolds is a web of deceit, betrayal, and unexpected twists that will keep theatergoers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

American Theatre magazine notes that Dial ‘M’ for Murder is one of the Top 10 most-produced shows of the 2023-2024 season, but Virginia Stage Company is the only theatre using the original Frederick Knott script.  Learn more here.

The cast of Dial M for Murder features a stellar lineup of seasoned actors, including Michelle Liu Coughlin as Margot Wendice, Joe Delafield as Max Halliday,  Daniel Domingues, Jr. as Tony Wendice, Steve Pacek as Captain Lesgate, and Jan Neuberger as Inspector Hubbard. Under the direction of Mark Shanahan (The 39 Steps, The Hound of the Baskervilles), this talented ensemble brings the characters to life with depth and nuance, ensuring an immersive and engaging theatrical experience.

Virginia Stage Company’s Producing Artistic Director, Tom Quaintance, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming production, stating, “I’m thrilled that Mark Shanahan is at the helm of Dial ‘M’ for Murder. His belief that mystery and comedy are close cousins grants him a deft touch building tension in scenes. He knows what’s important in a story and how to establish a relationship between actor and audience.”

Art that pushes the envelope is taking over The Z this April. The Z Fringe Festival is returning to Virginia Beach Town Center, and submissions of unique creative works are now open!
Artists of all kinds are invited to take part in this new festival, and are encouraged to submit pieces that may span multiple genres. Submissions are open from December 15-January 15.

“Monologues and new plays are just the tip of the iceberg,” said The Z’s Marketing Director, Jessi DiPette. “We are really looking forward to seeing new pieces of physical theatre, music, any piece of art that tells a story in a compelling way.”

The Z’s Fringe Festival is a celebration of self-produced performance art that pushes the envelope and makes a statement. Performances at The Z Fringe are theatrically-based, meaning they have a viewpoint, tell a story, or connect multiple pieces with a theme. Like the origin story of Fringe Festivals, The Z Fringe was created to give performing artists access to performance space and the opportunity to explore new concepts and performance formats that don’t fit a ‘traditional’ production model.

The 2024 Festival builds on the success of last year’s inaugural weekend with 2 new categories of submissions: “Visual Arts” and “Works in Progress”

Visual Art: Gallery-style showcases of visual art of all mediums. A separate submission window will be held for visual arts.

Works in Progress: Artists may present a new work still in the creative process for audience feedback on performance day.

Artists may submit pieces for 15-90 minute time slots, and will receive 50% of the ticket fees for their performance.

Want to Submit? Learn more about The Z Fringe Festival and submit your work at www.thez.org/zfringe. There is no fee to submit your work. The Festival will debut at The Zeiders American Dream Theater April 5-6, 2024