Education and Community Outreach Giving
The mission of Virginia Stage Company's Education Department is to provide quality artistic programming for people of all ages that represents our diverse community and encourages creative thinking, personal growth and imagination building. We strive to make the arts a part of every child's daily life through productions, classes and hands-on experiences. VSC is dedicated to offering a theatrical experience to everyone regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or physical challenge.
Virginia Stage Company has a widely acclaimed Education and Outreach program that reaches more than 50,000 students annually. Major educational and community outreach initiatives include:
VSC on Tour: Each year VSC presents productions that tour throughout Hampton Roads schools for grades K-8. These productions have optional workshops available for further learning opportunities. Each program includes a discussion with the artists and staff immediately following the performance, study guides for students, and planning materials for teachers. All programs are designed in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Student Matinees: Main stage Matinees of selected productions allow students to attend and participate in a fully realized professional theatrical productions at the Wells Theatre. Following each performance is a question and answer period with the cast of actors.
Partners in Education: Virginia Stage Company will present free performances and workshops on site to groups that are regularly attended by more than 200 students. Actors read to students in class and frequently offer post performance workshops. We also read selections from the required reading list onto tapes to assist those students who are experiencing reading difficulties.
Backstage Tours: Students and teachers can schedule an extensive tour of the historic Wells Theatre that takes a look into the intimate workings of the theater.
In addition, VSC offers:
- Multicultural arts programs for 4th graders in conjunction with the Chrysler Museum
- Writing programs that bring together writers from local high school newspapers to learn the skills of a theatre critic
- Apprenticeship programs for college students in performance, costumes, scenic arts, properties, lighting and scenic carpentry, stage management, sound design, marketing and non profits arts management to help provide a bridge between their college training and the professional world.
Community Giving
This year, Virginia Stage Company celebrates it 29th anniversary as Hampton Roads' premier professional theater. For nearly three decades, VSC has been embraced by a community of generous supporters who make it possible for us to provide highly respected theater to an audience of more than 100,000 annually. Our Education and Outreach programs reached nearly 50,000 students last year. By playing your part donors receive the following benefits in appreciation of their support.
Friend ($100 - $249)
- Listing in VSC’s Season Program book
- Advanced notice of VSC Special Performances
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Partner ($250 - $499)
- Invitation for two to an exclusive Donor Reception
- Invitation to a Preview of Next Season & backstage tour
- Invitation to a VSC Education School Performance
- plus all benefits listed above…
Sponsor ($500 - $749)
- Two complimentary beverage coupons
- A beautiful poster, suitable for framing, from a current VSC production
- Priority invitations to exclusive Special Events
- plus all benefits listed above…
Star ($750 to $999)
- Additional two complimentary beverage coupons
- Invitation to a closed Dress Rehearsal of the Main-stage productions
- plus all benefits listed above…
On Stage ($1,000 to $2,499)
- Invitations to exclusive Opening Night post-performance receptions with Cast and Creative Staff
- Special discounts on VSC gift items
- plus all benefits listed above…
Spotlight ($2,500 to $4,999)
- Complimentary valet parking at Wells Theatre for the five season productions
- Complimentary VSC Polo Shirt
- plus all benefits listed above…
Applause ($5,000 above)
- Access to Managing Director’s House Seats as additional single tickets to VSC Main-stage productions
- Sponsor your child or grandchild’s class to a VSC Education In-School performance
- plus all benefits listed above…
Corporate Giving
A tax-deductible corporate gift to Virginia Stage Company is the perfect way to show community support and enjoy a high profile affiliation with one of the area's most prestigious arts organizations.
On-Stage ($1000 - $2,499)
- On Stage level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Spotlight ($2,500 - $4,999)
- Spotlight level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- Single ticket discounts for your employees at 25% and 10% off per ticket
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Applause ($5,000 - $9,999)
- Applause level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- An invitation for four to one Opening Night performance and cast party
- Single ticket discounts for your employees at 25% and 10% off per ticket
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Encore Circle ($10,000 - $24,999)
- Company logo listing in the Encore Circle level in VSC’s Season Lobby Display for Corporate Sponsors
- Company logo listing on the Encore Circle level in VSC’s Season Program book for Corporate Sponsors
- Encore Circle level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- Inclusion of company name in press release promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage Company
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC website listing corporate support of Virginia Stage Company – includes
link to company web site home page
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC email news letters promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage
Company
- An invitation for ten to one Opening Night performance and cast party
- Single ticket discounts for your employees at 25% and 10% off per ticket
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Theatre ($25,000 - $49,999)
- Company listing as the Corporate Producing Sponsor for a specific main stage production, including company logo
placement in marketing and promotions materials for specific production
- Company listing and logo as the Corporate Producing Sponsor on the Program book title page of the specific main
stage production
- Inclusion of company name, logo and feature story promoting company’s support of Virginia Stage Company in VSC
email news letters
- Company half-page ad in the Program book of the specific main stage production
- Company logo listing in the Theater Circle level in VSC’s Season Lobby Display for Corporate Sponsors
- Company logo listing on the Theater Circle level in VSC’s Season Program book for Corporate Sponsors
- Theater Circle level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- Inclusion of company name in press release promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage Company
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC website listing corporate support of Virginia Stage Company – includes
link to company web site home page
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC email news letters promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage
Company
- An invitation for twenty to one Opening Night performance and cast party
- Single ticket discounts for your employees at 25% and 10% off per ticket
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
Director's Circle ($50,000 & above)
- Inclusion of company name, logo and feature story promoting company’s support of Virginia Stage Company in VSC
email news letters
- Company full-page ad in the Program book for the full season of main stage productions
- Company logo listing in the Director’s Circle level in VSC’s Season Lobby Display for Corporate Sponsors
- Company logo listing on the Director’s Circle level in VSC’s Season Program book for Corporate Sponsors
- Director’s Circle level listing in VSC’s Season Program book for Annual Contributors
- Inclusion of company name in press release promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage Company
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC website listing corporate support of Virginia Stage Company – includes
link to company web site home page
- Inclusion of company name and logo in VSC email news letters promoting corporate support of Virginia Stage
Company
- Single ticket discounts for your employees at 25% and 10% off per ticket
- Recognition in VSC Annual Report
- Additional company recognition benefits and ticket packages to be tailored to the needs of the company
