Blog - Academy Center of the Arts

Academy Costumer Rallies Efforts to Sew Masks for Local Hospitals and Areas in Need

March 25, 2020 Brittany Griffith

Lindsay Patton, teacher and costumer for Academy Youth Theatre and Community Through Theatre productions at the Academy Center of the Arts, is now using her talents to assemble and sew masks for our local hospitals and areas in need. If you have the skills and the supplies, we encourage you to email Lindsay to join her in efforts to assist our community health providers, today! A Message from Lindsay Patton: We are looking for people to sew masks for local hospitals and other local areas in need. Here are some helpful tutorials on how to make face masks. At the moment we are looking for masks made of 100% cotton fabric with 1/4-1/8 inch elastic or ties. We are not including interfacing or nose wires at this time. We are also accepting fabric and elastic donations. The plan is to begin collecting finished masks on Thursday, March 26th. If you are in need of supplies, Joann’s has been giving free kits to customers. Some helpful links: youtu.be/4FB–BOyTiU?fbclid=IwAR3-Ik5FBCSmYa6sQiDLr1Q_bYG-3BqnZCxa26yIhrNIQUG5hAnxXP9yJzM buttoncounter.com/2018/01/14/facemask-a-picture-tutorial/?fbclid=IwAR0GDZjzZ0pTXIjkWFRbyHvJvYSdwfxCM6CaFX2bNRwllv9IK8fMDAgsgqo If you would like to pledge to make masks, email lindsaytpatton@gmail.com.

Academy Postpones Performances Through April 15, 2020, Classes Suspended for Two Weeks

March 13, 2020 Sally Hubbard

On Wednesday, our organization released a statement regarding the additional measures our staff is taking towards the potential impact of COVID-19 in our community. Today, in the interest of the health and welfare of our patrons, staff, volunteers, and performers, the Academy Center of the Arts has postponed all public performances through April 15, 2020. This includes the following performances: Brooklyn Rider Quartet with Maeve Gilchrist, March 14 – Canceled The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, March 14 and 15 – Canceled Amherst Habitat for Humanity: Working on a Building 2020 – March 21 – Canceled Met Opera Live in HD: Der Fliegende Hollander, March 14 – Canceled Empty Bowls, March 20 – Rescheduled to August 29, 2020 Opera on the James: Barber of Seville, March 27 and 29 – Canceled Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra: Lynchburg’s Finest – Reschedule date TBD Ladies of Laughter, April 4 – Reschedule date TBD Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!, April 5 – Reschedule date TBD In the Light of Led Zeppelin, April 10 – Reschedule date TBD This decision is in line with public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), as well as by the urgence of local and state authorities to limit large public events, effective […]

Academy Takes Precautions Against COVID-19

March 11, 2020 Sally Hubbard

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS TAKES PRECAUTIONS AGAINST COVID-19 (Lynchburg, VA) At the Academy Center of the Arts, the health and safety of our patrons, staff, performers, and volunteers is our priority. Our staff and leadership is closely monitoring COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its potential impact on our community, and is following the guidelines and recommendations from local authorities and the Virginia Department of Health. Based on current recommendations, The Academy is continuing to offer performances and classes on our regular schedule. While we do so, we wanted to inform the community of the additional measures that we are taking for your safety. Allocation of additional staff time and resources committed to ensuring our facilities are routinely disinfected Addition of hand sanitizing stations in classrooms, performance spaces, entrances, concessions areas, restrooms, and building exits Addition of Nanoseptic Self-Cleaning surfaces on key touchpoints on campus Increased sanitization measures by facilities and concessions staff before, during, and after performances and classes In the event that a patron, student, volunteer, or staff member is presenting signs of illness on-site, they will be asked to politely leave the facility The Academy has instructed our staff and volunteers, and are asking our patrons to follow guidelines set by the CDC: […]

Sensory Friendly Bags Now Available at all Academy Shows for those in Need

March 4, 2020 Sally Hubbard

The Academy Center of the Arts has just announced the addition of Sensory-Friendly bags in their Historic Academy Theatre. “At the Academy, we are actively working to serve more of our community’s citizens,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director. “This means we are looking to remove obstacles that may exist for some in our community in regards to accessing our services and enjoying our venues”. “By becoming sensory inclusive on some of our events and by making sensory-friendly bags available, we hope more are able to enjoy the power of the arts here in Lynchburg”. The Academy’s sensory-friendly bags include a pair of noise-canceling headphones, two “hands-on”, fidget-toy-like items, and a double-sided card featuring cards that allow patrons to the communicate in non-verbal ways by pointing to how they “Are Feeling” and what they “Need” on printed lists. The bags will make a debut for Mummenschanz: you and me on March 4, 2020. Patrons can check out the new sensory-friendly bags at the Box Office prior to any show in the Historic Academy Theatre.

Casting Christopher: How one Local Actor Works to Incorporate Research and Understanding into Character Development

February 27, 2020 Sally Hubbard

Community Through Theatre and local high school student, Maxwell Castagne, takes on the challenging role of Christopher Boone, lead in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, running in the Warehouse Theatre March 7-8 and 13-15, 2020. Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs. Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world. When describing Christopher, Max told us that “Christopher is unique! He loves science and math, which I relate to because I like those subjects as well.” Max finds additional similarities with Christopher in that he also “doesn’t prefer to be touched, which is a trait that Christopher carries.” “I’m not on the spectrum but there are many similarities between us […]

Mike Super Wages Psychic Abilities Against the Price of Audiences’ Tickets

December 13, 2019 Brittany Griffith

Mike Super Wages Psychic Abilities Against the Price of Audiences’ Tickets (Lynchburg, VA) On Friday, December 13, 2019, representatives from the Academy Center of the Arts, BWX Technologies, inc., Bank of the James, and Campbell Insurance broadcasted live from the Academy’s social media pages to reveal exciting information regarding “America’s Favorite Mystifier” Mike Super, and his performance at the Historic Academy Theatre, 524 Main St., this January. Before a live online audience, it was revealed that Mike Super had made an official prediction of the News and Advance for January 24, 2020, the date of Mike Super’s performance in Lynchburg, Virginia. The prediction was recorded by Mike Super, sealed into an envelope, and shipped to Lynchburg via FedEx to the Academy Center of the Arts. The Academy broadcasted live at 10:30am on December 13, 2019, as two officers from the BWX Technologies’ Police Department transported the envelope by foot to the Bank of the James’ downtown Lynchburg branch, where it was then locked inside a large safety deposit box and sealed it into the safe deposit box room, secured under lock and key and behind a high-security level gate. Prior to locking the envelope away, the BWX […]

Nebraska Theatre Caravan Cancels National Tour of ‘A Christmas Carol’ After Crash

December 12, 2019 Brittany Griffith

NEBRASKA THEATRE CARAVAN CANCELS NATIONAL TOUR OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL AFTER CRASH Nebraska Theatre Caravan, the professional touring wing of the Omaha Community Playhouse, has just announced the cancellation of the national tour of A Christmas Carol. This includes the December 19, 2019 performance at the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Academy Theatre in Lynchburg, VA. The tour bus for the Nebraska Theatre Caravan production of A Christmas Carol was in an accident near Waterville, ME on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 11:30pm, when the charter bus, owned and operated by Arrow Stage Lines drifted off the right side of the road and subsequently overturned on its passenger side and came to rest down an embankment. While no major injuries were sustained, the accident has resulted in the cancellation of the remaining dates of the national tour. “While we are sad to see the tour cut short, we consider our theatre a family, and the safety and physical health and wellbeing of those involved is most important,” said Kate Whitecotton, Company Manager. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out in support of our touring members of A Christmas Carol. We have immense respect and deep appreciation for […]

Virginia Artists Featured in VMFA Artmobile Exhibition in Lynchburg

November 20, 2019 Morgan Yeatts

This past weekend, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Artmobile took up temporary residency in our Historic Theatre courtyard. The mobile art museum was free to the public and over 200 visitors viewed the exhibition over the course of the weekend. “It was great partnering with the Academy Center of the Arts to share works by prominent Virginia artists with the people of Lynchburg,” said Sean Kane, VMFA Artmobile staff. “The Artmobile’s debut exhibit, How Far Can Creativity Take You: VMFA Fellowship Artists, focuses on works made by 12 fellows who have achieved acclaim in the art world and are represented in the museum’s permanent collection.” Lynchburg local Lauren Barnes and her daughter visited the artmobile during its stay. “We are huge art lovers and were thrilled to have the VMFA artmobile visit Lynchburg! The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming or knowledgable. Thank you to the Academy for bringing this incredible and free gift to Lynchburg.” Academy Board of Trustees Member Elizabeth Stroud was thrilled for the opportunity to expose her kids to local art. “The VMFA artmobile was a great opportunity to introduce my kids to some truly brilliant Virginia artists,” she said. “My 5 year […]

Audition Notice for ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’

November 15, 2019 Brittany Griffith

AUDITION NOTICE The Academy Center of the Arts’ Community Through Theatre Committee is excited to announce open auditions for their upcoming production of: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Based on the novel by Mark Haddon and Adapted by Simon Stephens Directed by: Corey Wilson Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at mathematics but ill equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Now it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork. Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world. AUDITION INFORMATION Roles are available for actors ages 17+. The Academy and CTT are fully committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities and all ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Please note that this production requires most […]

Brian Setzer Forced to Cancel Performance in Lynchburg, VA Due to Injury

November 11, 2019 Brittany Griffith

Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org For Immediate Release: 11/11/2019 BRIAN SETZER FORCED TO CANCEL PERFORMANCE IN LYNCHBURG, VA DUE TO INJURY Under doctor’s orders, iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-Award winner Brian Setzer has been forced to cancel his 16th annual “Christmas Rocks! Tour” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra due to a severe case of tinnitus. This includes his November 23, 2019 performance at the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Academy Theatre in Lynchburg, VA. The over 20-city annual and critically acclaimed holiday extravaganza by SETZER and 19-piece ORCHESTRA was his best-selling Christmas tour to date and set to start this week, running from November 15 in Minneapolis through December 21 in Los Angeles. Setzer says he deeply regrets this inconvenience to his fans and thanks them in advance for their love and support. “It’s heartbreaking to disappoint my fans who have shared my Christmas seasons with me for over fifteen years,” says SETZER. “I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience this has caused all of the amazing people who make my tour happen and to my unbelievably loyal and devoted fans. I hate to let you down and I hope you’ll understand.” Box […]