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Steep Canyon Rangers
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Synetic Theater
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Danu
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Shadows of the 60s
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Michael Repper conducting the Northern Neck Orchestra.
On a sweltering August night in 1986, a group of Northern Neck visionaries turned their passion into a reality. “Community leader John Binns, himself an arts impresario, along with Bill Moore and Echolls Stephens, came together to create the arts foundation known today as Rappahannock Foundations for the Arts,” said Kenneth Baker, chairman of the RFA OnStage concert series. A nonprofit organization, RFA’s mission is to promote the performing arts in Lancaster and Northumberland counties.
“This was thirty years ago,” said RFA President Peggy Stalnaker. “Yet they somehow knew then, what is obvious now–performing arts are critical to the quality of life in a small community. Somehow they were convinced that ‘if you build it, they will come!’”
Early on, RFA set their course to success. “We provide performances through our OnStage concert series, reach out to younger audiences in the schools, and provide grants to community groups,” said Stalnaker. They started with the basics, giving money for high school band uniforms and funding actor’s workshops for the Lancaster Players. In 1991, they partnered in the design and development of the Lancaster Middle School 500-seat theatre with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. To date, according to Baker, RFA has provided nearly $300,000 for the venue. “Of course when our performers hear the theatre is in a school auditorium, I imagine they roll their eyes,” said Stalnaker. “But invariably when they get here, all they can say is ‘Wow!’ They’re amazed to see a 500-seat theater in a small town middle school.”
During that same time, RFA created the Community Showcase to offer a performance venue for local talent. It was a classic RFA mentoring initiative that would eventually become a successful local performing arts organization. In 1991, the Community Showcase became the Northern Neck Orchestra (NNO), a full-sized symphony orchestra based in Kilmarnock and comprised of talented amateur and professional musicians who come together to perform concerts every year.
OnStage concert series, the most public face of RFA, was created to introduce the community to world-class music and dance. This year RFA will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a remarkable lineup of eclectic performances: Capitol Steps, a political comedy that takes on the major issues of the day; Steep Canyon Rangers, a bluegrass band widely known for their collaborations with actor/banjoist Steve Martin; and for the holiday season, the popular Virginia Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble.
In 1988, the foundation began bringing the arts to schools with limited resources for arts education. Today, RFA’s Arts for Youth program continues to bring professional performers to local schools. “One of our most popular programs was the riveting performance by Synetic Theatre, incorporating computer technology, lights, juggling, clowning and mime,” said Stalnaker. “It was a huge hit with the teachers, as well as the kids!” It was just one of many examples of how the foundation continues to adapt to the changing needs of local audiences. “Because of their exposure to media and technology, children aren’t always stimulated by traditional groups. So we mix it up with programs like Synetic and Rockin’ Red Riding Hood, a rock-and-roll musical based on the classic fairytale, that chronicles the history of rock-and-roll.”
Finally, RFA gives grants to performing and visual arts organizations, including the Reedville Museum, Chesapeake Academy, Belle Isle State Park and a host of others.
“30 years ago, these gentle activists had a mission: to create a community alive with the arts,” said Stalnaker. “Today, because of their leading-edge vision, we are able to bring the very best of performing arts to our own backyard. That’s the beauty of the RFA.”
For ticket information, please contact RFA at 804-438-5555 or go to rappahannockfoundation.org.