The Z is partnering with YWCA South Hampton Roads to bring an original play by local playwright, Jean Klein, as our season’s community partnership PAY WHAT YOU CAN event.

Refraction of Light explores friendship and prejudice in post WW2 America, more specifically in the Berkley neighborhood of Norfolk, Virginia.

Registration is required. Pay What You Can registration of $0 to $30 per person with the opportunity to donate more on the donation page during your online check out. Talk Backs following all evening performances. Intro to Race & Justice Workshop by YWCA South Hampton Roads offered between Saturday’s matinee and evening performances. Click HERE to learn more about the Workshop and purchase your ticket for it:

The Curtain Up! New Plays Series is made possible with support by the David R. Goode Charitable Lead Annuity Trust and The Shubert Foundation. 

Premier Drag Queen Entertainer Vivian Valentine performs live on The Z's Main Stage Theater.

Community-favorite Plan B Comedy hits the Main Stage of Proteus for an evening packed with comedy! Our resident comedians of Plan B Comedy Troup offer a raucous evening of Sketch, Improv and Stand Up to give you a sampler platter of what the Plan B season has to offer.

Plan B Comedy Series: Performing regularly in both the Studio and the Main Stage, Plan B Comedy provides a high-energy, fast-paced and exciting experience to audiences of all ages. Plan B Comedy’s brand is “FUN” and it shows. Comedy starts here!

PROTEUS FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY

Kick off your Proteus experience with our Creative Team Performances! Creative Teams, comprised of local artists of all ages and experiences, have created new works in theater, music and film over the course of 5 days with support from The Z. Dive into the heart of the festival and a cornerstone of The Z’s mission: to foster new works and provide professional support to those with a passion for the arts understanding that creativity builds community.

VIEW THE FULL PROTEUS LINEUP

Comedy for all ages! Our improv troupe is back with laughs and smiles for the whole family!

Plan B Comedy Series: Performing regularly in both the Studio and the Main Stage, Plan B Comedy provides a high-energy, fast-paced and exciting experience to audiences of all ages. Plan B Comedy’s brand is “FUN” and it shows. Comedy starts here!

Learn from folk song duo Cindy Kays and Shelly Porter in this earth-friendly, environmental awareness program that teaches kids about habitats, environments, biology, recycling, and conservation. The interactive program includes original tunes like “It Really isn’t Garbage,” “Bebop,” and “Someone’s Gonna Use it After You.” Children and parents will enjoy this fun program celebrating our planet.

Presented in partnership with Arts for Learning and the Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission. 

Cindy Kays and Shelly Potter have performed together for more than two decades as a children’s musical duo. Using stringed and percussion instruments, puppets, and props, Cindy and Shelly encourage students to participate with hand motions and singing. Their repertoire ranges from traditional and contemporary folk songs to original songs. Their four CD releases have all been awarded Parents’ Choice Awards for excellence in children’s music, a national honor.

Additional program support is provided by Arts Alliance, Helen G. Gifford Foundation, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts.

—————————————————————————————————————————Photos and/or videos may be taken of adults and children at performances and used for promotional purposes, which may include social media, web, and print.