The Center is changing to a nonprofit structure and hopes to increase its educational and artistic offerings to meet community needs.
It’s never been a better time to be a fan of Riverside Center.
Riverside Center’s Artistic Director and CEO Patrick A’Hearn called for the community’s regional theater to dream big. He also called for the community to help support those dreams on July 29.
A’Hearn outlined the strategic plans for ensuring the success of the theater as a whole and for the physical theater structure to see it into the future, as well as plans to expand the artistic and educational opportunities offered to the community.
Riverside’s current geographical service area includes Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and the City of Fredericksburg. A’Hearn called for a more regionally expansive view of its services, modeled on groups like the Arena Stage and the Kennedy Center.
Those two theaters are non-profit, and this management strategy is part of the initial plan for Riverside.
On January 21, 2024, Riverside’s management structure was changed from an LLC to a full-fledged 501(c)3 corporation. This may seem an esoteric change, but it transforms the entire philosophy behind what defines Riverside’s mission.
While artistic LLCs are around in many places, their for-profit structure limits their offerings to commercially viable productions. It prevents them from staging other productions that might meet community needs, since community needs are not necessarily the mission for a for-profit enterprise.
Tax exempt status allows contributors a tax deduction for their contributions to the theater and its goals.
A’Hearn outlined the history and positive standing of the current theater. He praised prior leadership, especially focusing on the physical plant for the theater (and its well-equipped stage, with 24 fly-lines that allow for quick and efficient scene changes).
He continued by pointing out the theater’s fiscal responsibility in pursuing pandemic-era funding to keeping it afloat during troubled times.
He also mentioned that because of the proximity to Interstate 95, Riverside’s audiences and influence are expanding out of the original local area, especially to the north and the south.
Gathered in the lobby of the Riverside Center were members of the press, interested members of the community and many local officials. All those present were supportive of the change.
Board Chair Dorothy Mondak outlined with pride a list of achievements in past and recent years, including services to area Title 1 schools and the summer theater camp that featured 16 local youth in a production of “Finding Nemo.”
She pointed out that increased funding from sponsorships and grants will allow some of the 25 students who were wait-listed to participate through scholarships.
Some of the plans for the future are:
- To build a financial base of support by encouraging tax exempt giving for capital plans and for educational projects, like the youth Summer Theater Camps and scholarships for talented students who have auditioned for and have participated in Riverside’s productions. Some of these students were at the press conference.
- A Senior Theater program was mentioned as another possible expansion of the theater’s offerings.
- Renovating the current auditorium from a tiered dinner theater floor plan to one featuring theater seating. Such seating is readily available used. This could increase the seating available for performances from 400 to 900-1,000 seats.
- Refocusing the productions away from the current five-hour commitment by removing the dinner theater aspect of the performance experience. The possibility of continued dinner service outside of the main theater space was floated as well.
- Increase the educational aspects of the group to support its commitment to growth in the arts for its home community, especially in schools serving a large number of low-income students.
Invited guest Sally Struthers, who first starred in “Hello, Dolly” and is currently appearing with A’Hearn in “A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters” through August 4, spoke about her long collaboration with A’Hearn and provided a professional actor’s view of Riverside’s contributions to the community (including a couple of hilarious stories as well).
A’Hearn took the time to introduce attendees at the presentations, including members of the Board of Trustees, representatives from the offices of Senator Mark Warner and Representative Abigail Spanberger, and members of the press.
Also in attendance were two members of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Deuntay Diggs and Darrell English (Diggs’ Riverside stage dance performances were highlighted in the intros).
The gathering concluded with a reading of the Mission Statement for the Performing Arts Center:
Because creativity is a vital force across all ages, backgrounds, and economic levels, the mission of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is to promote the creative and performing arts from its optimal location in Stafford County to the greater Fredericksburg community and surrounding regions.
Riverside presents theatrical productions, nurtures an array of artists, and offers transformative educational programs as it conducts community outreach programs in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
Changes have begun and more are coming for Riverside. Businesses and the community are invited to become a part of the change by donating to sponsor activities and also by volunteering time and energy to support the cause.
By Dennis Wemm
THEATER CRITIC
Dennis Wemm is a retired professor of theatre and communication, having taught and led both departments at Glenville State College for 34 years. In his off time, he was president and sometimes Executive Director of the West Virginia Theatre Conference, secretary and president of the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and generally enjoyed a life in theatre.
