SuperCon is back in downtown Manassas and promises a weekend packed with geek culture, gaming, cosplay, and a brush with Hollywood.

The convention, hosted by ARTfactory, will take place Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at 9419 Battle Street. This year’s headliner is Jamie Flanagan, a Bram Stoker Award-winning writer and actor known for their work on Netflix series including “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “Midnight Mass,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” as well as AMC Shudder’s “Creepshow” and “Peacock’s Hysteria!”.

Flanagan will host a panel discussion on Saturday and be available for fan meet-and-greets, photo ops, and autograph signings.

Ahryel Tinker, the ARTfactory’s education director and founder of SuperCon, joined the Potomac Local News Podcast to share how the idea came from her personal love of conventions and a desire to create something local. “I’ve been to Fairfax Comic Con, Awesome Con, and Baltimore,” said Tinker. “I thought, we need one here in Manassas.”

SuperCon aims to celebrate every corner of fandom with a mix of attractions:

Artist Alley and Exhibitor Gallery: Fans can browse original art, collectibles, and handmade goods. “There’s something magical about seeing the work of local creators in person,” said Tinker. “It’s not just about buying — it’s about connecting.”

Gaming zones: Attendees can drop into console gaming areas, one-shot Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering games, and classic board games.

Panels and workshops: In addition to Flanagan’s appearance, author Kay Hannifan will lead a panel on horror writing, moderated by Tinker. Panels will explore beloved franchises and themes across pop culture.

Cosplay: Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters. Tinker and the ARTfactory staff are planning a Sailor Moon group cosplay.

“I’m a last-minute decider when it comes to cosplay,” she said with a laugh.

After-hours party: The fun continues Saturday night with an 18+ Super Party from 8 p.m. to midnight, featuring a DJ, themed drinks, and a cosplay contest. A partnership with NovaVino Winery will help keep spirits high.

Tinker emphasized the growing community around fandom in Manassas. “This city is hungry for more community events. And nerd culture is a way to bring people together,” she said. “There’s something for everyone at SuperCon — from die-hard horror fans to board game lovers to those who just want to rock a superhero tee and connect.”

The ARTfactory has embraced the convention as part of its broader mission to showcase the arts in unique and inclusive ways. “Whether it’s haunted houses or horror panels, it’s all about creating spaces where people feel seen,” said Tinker.

Tickets for the convention and the after-party are sold separately or as a bundle and can be purchased online at virginiaartfactory.org/tickets or by calling 703-330-2787.

“We were blown away by last year’s turnout,” said Tinker. “This year, we’re leveling up.”

The timeless drama All My Sons by legendary playwright Arthur Miller returns to the stage in an Actors Theatre production at the ARTfactory in Manassas. First premiering in 1947, Miller’s powerful exploration of morality, ambition, and the consequences of personal decisions remains as compelling today as it was in the post-World War II era.

Set in the aftermath of the war, All My Sons follows Joe Keller, a businessman whose wartime actions carry tragic repercussions. As the past unravels, Joe and those closest to him are forced to confront hard truths about sacrifice, ambition, and the moral cost of pursuing the American Dream. The play’s deep exploration of human choices and the weight of deception makes it one of Miller’s most enduring works.

The ARTfactory production, directed by Ahryel Tinker, promises to bring fresh perspective to the classic play, with a talented cast and innovative staging designed to highlight the emotional and psychological depth of the characters. The cast includes Scott Murphy-Neilson, Kimberly Kemp, Andrew Chi, Raeanna Nicole Larson, Chris Beatley, Eleanore Tapscott, Joshua Mutterperl, Devyn Tinker, Anastasia Hanchak, and Noah Delune.

Performances will be held at the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory on April 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. The April 3 performance will be a special “pay what you can” event, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the ARTfactory website at virginiaartfactory.org.

The ARTfactory’s Actors Theatre will bring Every Brilliant Thing to the stage in an intimate, thought-provoking performance at the end of February. This one-man show, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donohoe, masterfully blends humor and heartache as it explores themes of joy, despair, and resilience through the eyes of a single storyteller.

The play follows a child who begins compiling a list of “every brilliant thing” worth living for—ice cream, water fights, staying up late—after their mother’s suicide attempt. As the child matures, the list continues, evolving into a deeply moving reflection on love, mental illness, and human connection.

Directed by ARTfactory Producing Artistic Director Kimberly Kemp, the production stars David Johnson as the storyteller. Johnson, a longtime ARTfactory actor and director, has had his sights set on this play for years. “I remember (in 2017) telling the theatre arts director of the ARTfactory about this breathtakingly beautiful play and how badly I wanted to do it in the theatre on the third floor of the ARTfactory,” Johnson states in a press release. The project finally came to fruition when Kemp expressed her desire to direct it in 2022.

Johnson has experienced the loss of a young performer from ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre program and likened him to the play’s protagonist. “He reminded me of the character because he was so fearless in his creativity and expression,” Johnson said. He also referenced the loss of actor Robin Williams, a world-renowned entertainer who privately battled depression. Johnson hopes to encourage open conversations about mental health and seek support through this production.

Initially performed in 2013 at the Ludlow Fringe Festival, Every Brilliant Thing gained widespread acclaim for its poignant storytelling. It premiered in North America in 2014 at New York City’s Barrow Street Theatre and earned a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Show.

The ARTfactory’s production will be staged in an intimate in-the-round setting, enhancing audience engagement. While the play incorporates optional audience participation, attendees can enjoy the performance with or without direct involvement. However, given its subject matter, audience members should be aware that the play discusses themes of depression and suicide.

Performances will occur on February 28 and March 1 at 7:30 p.m. and March 2 at 2 p.m. in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory. Tickets are available for purchase at virginiaartfactory.org.

Several ARTfactory theatre productions and individuals were named "Best Of" in the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, with winners announced on January 16.

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Date: February 1, 2025
Time: 6–8 PM
Location: 9419 Battle St, Manassas
Admission: Free and open to the public

Join the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for an evening featuring contemporary figurative painter William Kennedy. Explore his exhibit, “Beyond the Surface,” which delves into the emotional depth of Black male figures. The reception includes light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist.

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The ARTfactory is looking for high school students to submit their artwork to their 21st annual "Off the Wall" art exhibit and competition.

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"Into the Woods," the Tony Award-winning musical by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim, will be getting its own production at the ARTfactory starting Oct. 11.

One of Sondheim's most popular musicals details the tale of the Baker and his wife, who in their quest to have a child, make a bargain with a vengeful witch. The couple finds themselves on a journey through the woods encountering familiar fairytale characters.

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Rooftop Productions presents Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.

"The Rocky Horror Show" is coming to the ARTfactory's Wind River Theater starting on Sept. 20.

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