Norfolk, VA-Virginia Stage Company is thrilled to announce a new season of musicals, thrillers, classics, and a world premiere! The 47th season from Hampton Roads’ leading professional theatre company begins in September at the historic Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

We kick the season off with a bang with Norfolk State University Theatre Company’s All-New Professional Series with our co-production of Ain’t Misbehavin’.  The joint is jumpin’ as five actors croon, wail, strut and dance their way through the songs of legendary jazz musician, “Fats” Waller. Get ready for your toes to be tappin’ and your leg shakin’ with Ain’t Misbehavin’ directed by Professor Anthony Mark Stockard. September 3 – 21, 2025.

Audiences will be transported back to a time with a fresh and funny take on a treasured classic, in Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Emma. Emma Woodhouse is a clever, educated and energetic woman who prides herself on her matchmaking abilities. But where Emma goes, screwball comedy follows! October 22 – November 9, 2025.

Ring in the holidays with two Christmas classics, A Merry Little Christmas Carol and A Sherlock Carol, both by Mark Shanahan. A Merry Little Christmas Carol is one of Hampton Roads’ most heartfelt holiday traditions. And returning for its 2nd year is A Sherlock Carol, VSC’s newest tradition. In this engaging tale, Moriarty is dead and Sherlock is a haunted man. Will the untimely death of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge bring the Great Detective out of his self imposed-retirement to solve this Dickens of a Christmas Case? A Merry Little Christmas Carol and A Sherlock Carol run in rep, December 3 – 28, 2025.

In a pulse-pounding thriller, a blind woman is threatened by criminals inside her Greenwich Village apartment in Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott. Susan soon discovers that her blindness is the key to her escape… if she can stall her tormentors until dark. This edge-of-your-seat drama moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds towards a heart-stopping conclusion. January 28 – February 15, 2026.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat lends the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Weber to the season! This musical reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph is packed with magical adventure, beguiling characters and a brilliant score full of catchy songs–a treat to share with family and friends, March 14 -29, 2026.

Capping the new season is the world premiere of Malcom X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem. In 1943, two young Harlemites form a friendship over leftover fried chicken and dirty dishwater. But a long, hot summer of heartbreak, betrayal, and racial uprisings moves them closer to the men they will become and farther from each other. This electrifying new play blends sharp humor with raw humanity, revealing the laughter, struggle, and brotherhood that shaped two legends. April 8 – 26, 2026.

Tickets for the 2025-2026 season are on sale now by subscription only. Subscription options include fixed-seat packages at special savings, which allow patrons to keep the same great seats for every show; or a flexible theatre-on-demand option. Subscription benefits include discounts on every ticket, invitations to special insider events and more. More information can be found at vastage.org/subscribe or by calling the Virginia Stage Company Box Office at (757) 627-1234 Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm.

Norfolk, VA-Virginia Stage Company is thrilled to announce a new season of musicals, thrillers, classics, and a world premiere! The 47th season from Hampton Roads’ leading professional theatre company begins in September at the historic Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

We kick the season off with a bang with Norfolk State University Theatre Company’s All-New Professional Series with our co-production of Ain’t Misbehavin’.  The joint is jumpin’ as five actors croon, wail, strut and dance their way through the songs of legendary jazz musician, “Fats” Waller. Get ready for your toes to be tappin’ and your leg shakin’ with Ain’t Misbehavin’ directed by Professor Anthony Mark Stockard. September 3 – 21, 2025.

Audiences will be transported back to a time with a fresh and funny take on a treasured classic, in Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Emma. Emma Woodhouse is a clever, educated and energetic woman who prides herself on her matchmaking abilities. But where Emma goes, screwball comedy follows! October 22 – November 9, 2025.

Ring in the holidays with two Christmas classics, A Merry Little Christmas Carol and A Sherlock Carol, both by Mark Shanahan. A Merry Little Christmas Carol is one of Hampton Roads’ most heartfelt holiday traditions. And returning for its 2nd year is A Sherlock Carol, VSC’s newest tradition. In this engaging tale, Moriarty is dead and Sherlock is a haunted man. Will the untimely death of Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge bring the Great Detective out of his self imposed-retirement to solve this Dickens of a Christmas Case? A Merry Little Christmas Carol and A Sherlock Carol run in rep, December 3 – 28, 2025.

In a pulse-pounding thriller, a blind woman is threatened by criminals inside her Greenwich Village apartment in Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott. Susan soon discovers that her blindness is the key to her escape… if she can stall her tormentors until dark. This edge-of-your-seat drama moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds towards a heart-stopping conclusion. January 28 – February 15, 2026.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat lends the brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Weber to the season! This musical reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph is packed with magical adventure, beguiling characters and a brilliant score full of catchy songs–a treat to share with family and friends, March 14 -29, 2026.

Capping the new season is the world premiere of Malcom X & Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem. In 1943, two young Harlemites form a friendship over leftover fried chicken and dirty dishwater. But a long, hot summer of heartbreak, betrayal, and racial uprisings moves them closer to the men they will become and farther from each other. This electrifying new play blends sharp humor with raw humanity, revealing the laughter, struggle, and brotherhood that shaped two legends. April 8 – 26, 2026.

Tickets for the 2025-2026 season are on sale now by subscription only. Subscription options include fixed-seat packages at special savings, which allow patrons to keep the same great seats for every show; or a flexible theatre-on-demand option. Subscription benefits include discounts on every ticket, invitations to special insider events and more. More information can be found at vastage.org/subscribe or by calling the Virginia Stage Company Box Office at (757) 627-1234 Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm.

~Zeiders American Dream Theater’s Heart of Art Program~

Zeiders American Dream Theater, a.k.a The Z is dedicated to building, strengthening and healing our community through the arts. 

This dedication is the driving force behind The Z’s Heart of Art Program 

How it works:

The Heart of Art program pairs artists with clients of social service partners introducing them to creative tools to deal with adversity and to channel self-expression. Our artists learn how to teach their craft at a level accessible to all ages and our participants learn to use creative expression to share their stories. Social service partners past & present include Connect with a Wish, serving teens in the foster care system, YellowHab and Seatack Elementary programs for underserved youth, and Tidewater Arts Outreach, serving seniors. 

Last year’s pilot program with Connect with a Wish produced 4 new songs, created through 3 workshops, with 15 teen participants led by 4 singer/songwriters. The songs were shared in a June 2022 showcase at The Z with an invited audience and received outstanding feedback. 

This year’s Showcase will feature five Seatack Elementary School students singing their own songs, a film of Yellowhab students and their work with Plan B comedy, and fashion and visual art inspired by those served by Tidewater Arts Outreach.  

Zeiders American Dream Theater, 4509 Commerce Street, VB, VA 23462

Saturday, June 3rd at 4pm

Harnessing the power of art to heal and promote well-being is paramount to a thriving community. When we take care of the most vulnerable among us, we strengthen our whole community. 

Art that pushes the envelope is taking over The Z this April. The Z, Zeiders American Dream Theater, located in Virginia Beach Town Center, has selected more than 30 new pieces of theater, dance, and performance art to create a weekend of adventurous works on stage.

“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 dance, magic, improv and a range of theatrical works.”

Productions range from 15-90 minutes, and the festival will truly be taking over The Z’s building.

“While a new horror play is performing on the studio stage, we will have a dance performance on the mainstage, and a musician playing on our terrace!” said DiPette.

“It’s really an immersive arts experience that caters to a wide range of interests.” Selected works range from “Black Girl Magic”, a popular cabaret directed by Sharon Cook of Hurrah Players, to “Traumedy”, a poetry and comedy piece by Roscoe Burnems.

In addition to debuting their new works in The Z’s state-of-the-art facilities with full tech support, performers will receive a share of the ticket sales.

“Our mission at The Z is really to support and uplift emerging artists in the area, and the Fringe Festival really gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on the new, edgy pieces that might not be given a chance at your average theater,” said DiPette.

Want to go? The Z Fringe Festival debut at The Zeiders American Dream Theater April 7-8, 2023. 1 and 2-day all-access passes, and one-show tickets are available now online at thez.org/zfringe, or by calling the box office at 757-499-0317. Zeiders American Dream Theater is located at 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 Zeiders American Dream Theater is funded in part by the citizens of Virginia Beach through a grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission.

LICENSE & REGISTRATION Written by Kanya Edmonds and Niylah Mascall
Produced and Directed by Kanya Edmonds
*This casting call is for a one-act performance on Friday, April 7th*

Plot summary:
Two teenage friends, heading home one evening, must face the realities of society and their personal differences for the very first time when they are being stopped by the police.

Characters:
Nia: 17, female, African American. Reserved but passionate- likes to have fun. She is responsible and never gets in trouble. Cecilia compliments her personality well.

Cecilia: 17, female, Caucasian or non-black. Energetic and carefree. She and Nia have been best friends since freshman year. Not the best student academic-wise, but intelligent in her own way.

If interested, please fill out the form below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIv4QQB7jbCyj0hVKLiYYvdxoiw9wDr38Gl9aQJ63q8gnClA/viewform?usp=sharing

And Email 1-minute monologue of your choosing to: [email protected]

PRIMING THE PUMP By Jean Klein

Looking for actors (2) M or F, age range variable – approximately 25 – 50,  for a 20-minute play, Priming the Pump. 

Fight for Life is a seedy “talk show’ which relies on the “Rage Room” school of therapy. As audiences have demand bigger and better arenas for, their ratings have begun to fall. The host, Burt Solomon, is looking at what may be his last hosting job. He has to keep the anger going. Two bodyguards chant periodically to rouse the audience’s rage.

When he hears from Grace Truman, a retiring, emotionally abused wife, he thinks he has found the perfect vehicle for the audience to identify with. And he plans a special twist for this guest, who seems compliant beyond belief. Will Burt’s strategy work or will Grace find another solution only she could have thought of.

Roles are Bodyguards in a Jerry-Springer-like talk show. Few lines, and lots of interaction with the audience. Performance on April 8, 7:20 PM at Zeiders American Dream Theater (The Z)  in Virginia Beach.

If interested, contact Jean at [email protected] with a headshot and brief bio.