Compiled by Kevin Clary '84 and Louise Nolff
Virginia Wesleyan graduates keep mall stage company alive
In March 2001,it appeared that The Actor ’s Theatre in Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach was closing its doors permanently. That didn’t happen thanks to the efforts of two recent Virginia Wesleyan graduates, Veni Fields ’00 a staff writer with The Virginian-Pilot newspaper, and Jennifer Schulte ’00 an advertising account executive with Hambright, Calcagno and Downing.
The theater opened in 1993 and performed at the former Virginia Beach Center for the Arts until it moved to Pembroke Mall in 1996.It is Hampton Roads’ only live performing theater company located inside a shopping mall.
When Producer Joe Sasso announced retirement plans to staffers and board members in January 2001,closing looked like a done deal. All board members resigned, leaving only Sasso and his partner, Ed Anderson, in charge of producing the remaining shows and closing shop.
However, when Veni, a member of the founding group and longtime Actors ’ Theatre stage manager, was called in to work a March production, she decided she couldn’t let the theater go. Fields called on Jennifer, and together they organized a team of business professionals to work out a plan to take the theater over. A formal transfer of authority took place on July 20,2001. “I just couldn’t see this dream die,” says Veni. “I love this place.”
Veni and Jennifer ’s new management plans include some innovative activities for the theater ’s future: extending its season outside the traditional September though May calendar; offering high school and college internship opportunities; participating in high visibility community service projects; and sponsoring a “charity of choice” for combined fund raising efforts.
A grand reopening was held October 12,with the opening of the theater ’s first performance of the 2001-2002 season, “Parallel Lives: the Kathy &Mo Show ”by Mo Gaffney and Kathy Najimy.
Alumni association expands opportunities
The Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Association Board of Directors recently approved a new dues-paying program in an effort to expand support for future programming and to offer additional benefits to alumni. Alumni Association members will receive considerable benefits in return for the nominal cost to join. Benefits include a membership decal, access to career services seminars, discounts for the use of campus facilities and Scribner Bookstore purchases, and invitations to special events and promotions sponsored by the Alumni Association and the College. Says Alumni Association President, Bobby Collenberg, ’90, “one of our greatest benefits for members will be an opportunity to use the exciting new Batten Student Center at a discounted rate.”
The Association has various levels of membership, including “first year graduates,” annual, and life-member status. Special charter year membership rates apply to anyone joining prior to July 1, 2002. For more membership information, please go to the Alumni page at www.vwc.edu or contact the Office of Alumni Relations to request an application at (757) 455-3298, or by e-mail at alumni@vwc.edu.