ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions will present Neil Simon’s comedy “Rumors” at the Wind River Theater from June 14 to June 23. The play, directed by Charlynn Mills, features a talented cast and promises a hilarious and lighthearted experience. Performances are scheduled for June 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:30 PM and June 16 and 23 at 2:00 PM.

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ARTfactory Rooftop Productions will present one of the most popular plays by comic playwright Neil Simon. Rumors will be performed in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory starting June 14 and running through June 23.

The hilarious comedy takes place during an elegant anniversary dinner party hosted by New York’s Deputy Mayor, Charlie Brock. When Charlie is found injured from a gunshot wound, his wife Myra is nowhere to be found. What ensues is a chain of mistaken identities, cover-ups, and outrageous rumors all with Simon’s signature wit and comedic timing culminating in a riotous whirlwind of laughter and mayhem.

Director Charlynn Mills describes Neil Simon as one of the most prolific and popular playwrights of the modern era, considered the master of comic dialogue, “Rumors, is a prime example of his best work. This play is designed to be a lighthearted two-hour experience that will lift your spirits. So, leave your worries at the door and let Neil Simon’s writing and our cast entertain you.”

The cast includes Kellie Honey as Chris Gorman, Cameron McBride as Ken Gorman, Pam Gordet as Claire Ganz, Kieran Cross as Lenny Ganz, Bob Thompson as Ernie Cusack, Deb Hansen as Cookie Cusack, David Moore as Glenn Cooper, Eileen Marshall as Cassie Cooper, Meighan Hogate, III as Officer Welch, and Jeremy Spittle as Officer Pudney.

Performances of Rumors will be held June 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:30 PM, and June 16 and 23 at 2:00 PM. All performances will be in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory. Tickets may be purchased online at www.virginiaartfactory.org/tickets or by calling the ARTfactory at 703-330-2787. Audiences please note that the play contains strong, adult language and makes references to suicide.

(Insidenova.com) — For executive director Talya Conroy, it isn’t just talk when she says that the ARTfactory’s programs are life-changing.

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The Prince William County Arts Council announces that Arts Grants for Fiscal Year 2025 will open on April 11 at 9 a.m. and close on May 8 at 4 p.m.

Read more in a Prince William County Arts Council press release:

Prince William County Arts Grants is one of the ways the County invests in sustaining and advancing our diverse and inclusive network of arts organizations and artists. One hundred percent of funds flow directly to arts organizations and artists across the Greater Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park areas.

All potential applicants must attend the Grant Workshop on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the George Hellwig Administrative Building, 14420 Bristow Road, Manassas.

Grant applications will open April 11 online at pwcartscouncil.org. Grants will be awarded to support arts organizations across the Greater Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park areas beginning July 1, 2024. All grants are subject to funds available from Prince William County. Grant funds are not guaranteed to any organization. Grant usage covers July 1, 2024 through June 30 2025.

Please contact Janet LaFleur at jlafleur@pwcgov.org with questions.

ARTfactory will host its inaugural fandom convention, ARTfactory’s SuperCon featuring Super Art Fight on Saturday, April 27 at the ARTfactory.

Read more in the ARTfactory’s press release:

SuperCon is geared to be an extraordinary all-day celebration for all ages interested in pop culture, fandoms, comics, graphic novels, cosplay, and gaming.

Additionally, there will be a series of panels with topics that include group cosplay, tabletop gaming strategy, and a focus on reuse and recycling in cosplay, with additional topics coming soon. Guests are encouraged to attend in costume and participate in the cosplay contest.

The day will end with a live art competition by Super Art Fight, a performance where two or more artists battle against each other with the help of quipping hosts and a “wheel of death.” SuperCon will also include an artist alley and exhibitor gallery on the ARTfactory’s third floor in the Wind River Theater.

For gamers, the Caton Merchant Family Gallery on the main floor will be transformed into a large game room, where several one-shot Dungeons and Dragons games and mini-sessions will be held. Other games include Magic the Gathering and Pokémon. There will also be a selection of board games.

Additionally, food trucks and food vendors will be on site including, The Bone, Happy Family Ranch (farm to table tacos and burgers), as well as Cupcake Mafia, Punkin Butts, and Floss King.

ARTfactory’s SuperCon will be held on Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the ARTfactory 9419 Battle Street, Manassas. Convention hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with Super Art Fight taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for the convention only, Super Art Fight only, or a combination of both.

For more on the event, visit the SuperCon webpage at virginiaartfactory.org/afsupercon/. Tickets may be purchased online at virginiaartfactory.org/tickets, or by calling the ARTfactory at 703-330-2787. For more information on Super Art Fight, visit their website at superartfight.com.

ARTfactory, a creative arts center dedicated to providing quality programming in the visual and performing arts to Manassas, Prince William County, and surrounding areas, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Read more in the ARTfactory’s press release:

The ARTfactory was founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers with the goal of enriching lives in the community through the arts. Originally named the Center for the Arts of Greater Manassas/Prince William County, the center was relocated in 2002 to its current location, the Hopkins Candy Factory building.

In 2020 the center was officially renamed ARTfactory and what started as a vision to foster partnerships for the arts within the community has grown
exponentially over the years.

Additionally, the center is home to the historic Pied Piper Theatre and Rooftop Productions where youth and adults train in and perform live theatre.

ARTfactory also houses the Caton Merchant Family Gallery where numerous rotating exhibits featuring area artists are on display, as well as the newly named Wind River Theater where events and theatrical performances are held.

Extending its community outreach, ARTfactory also hosts artist receptions and talks, live theatre productions, special events, and a summer concert series, Summersounds, which is held each summer in partnership with the city of Manassas and MICRON.

Although ARTfactory’s official anniversary falls in March, the center is celebrating the achievement throughout the year with increased programming and events, such as additional theatrical performances and fundraising events. ARTfactory’s 40th anniversary is being sponsored by area businesses United Bank, Farrell & Croft, Didlake, Inside Nova, Primeau
Mayer, The Irving Law Firm, UVA Health, and Mike Garcia Construction.

ARTfactory is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on ARTfactory classes and events, visit their website at virginiaartfactory.org.

ARTfactory Rooftop Productions is set to present the psychological drama, and one of the most acclaimed plays in American theater history, Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley.

Read more in ARTfactory’s press release:

The play explores the fine line between truth and ambiguity. When evidence points to a suspicion of impropriety between Father Flynn and a young Catholic school student, Principal Sister Aloysius is certain of his guilt.

She attempts to force Flynn out by enlisting the help of the young Sister James, as well as the boy’s mother. But are the accusations founded?

The parable is set in 1964; Civil rights marches were everywhere, and the women’s movement was beginning. It was a time when the Catholic Church emboldened itself with open-mindedness and a change in spirit. The student at the center of the conflict is an African American boy, the first black student at St. Nicholas school.  But is Father Flynn his protector, or is the boy his prey?

In order to create a sense of audience participation in the events of the play, the show will be performed on a thrust stage, with audience members seated on three sides. The intent is the format will enhance theatergoer experience.

In addition, audience members will be invited to continue the discussion by participating in post-show “talkbacks” with cast and crew at multiple performances.

Doubt, A Parable was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize as well as Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics’ Circle and Lucille Lortel awards for Best Play. It was adapted by Shanley (who also directed) into an Academy Award-nominated film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

The production stars Carolyn Corsano Wong as Sister Aloysius, Nathan Mikami as Father Flynn, Raeanna Nicole Larson as Sister James and Tanya Johnson-Herron as Mrs. Muller, the boy’s mother. Understudies include Eileen Marshall (Sister Aloysius), Robert Vainshtein (Father Flynn), Tegan Cohen (Sister James), and Tamara Buchanan (Mrs. Muller).

Doubt, A Parable by John Patrick Shanley opens on Friday, April 5 and runs through Sunday, April 14. Performances will be held in the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory, 9419 Battle Street, Manassas, on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

ARTfactory is offering tickets to local high school theatre groups free of charge. For information, please contact Kimberly Kemp at kimberly@virginiaartfactory.org. General admission tickets may be purchased online at www.virginiaartfactory.org/tickets or by calling the ARTfactory at 703-330-2787

ARTfactory is gearing up for a celebration in honor of its 40th anniversary with the upcoming Rooftop Productions’ “Miscast Cabaret.” This unique event, set to take place over two weekends in March at the Wind River Theater, promises an evening of unforgettable performances that challenge traditional casting norms.

“Miscast Cabaret” offers a twist on traditional Broadway performances, with cast members taking on roles that they wouldn’t typically be cast in. Audiences can expect to be surprised and delighted as performers breathe new life into classic and contemporary songs from beloved musicals like “Waitress’, ‘The Book of Mormon,” “Into the Woods”, “Annie’, and “Beauty and the Beast”. The event promises to be a refreshing exploration of familiar tunes presented in unexpected contexts.

Directed by ARTfactory’s Director of Theatre, Kimberly Kemp, the Miscast Cabaret boasts a talented cast including Sara Allbrandt, Lee Ann Brown, Zach Burgess, Gregg Carter, Christine Connor, Talya Conroy, Anja Dick, Hollie Dickman, Joshua Gibson, Pam Gordet, Anna Hicks-Jaco, Cheryl Lane, Joey Lane, Lou Lane, Jessica Mabry, Chris Maulden, Glenna Moore, Meagan Morrison-Crabill, Tamara Peters, Ahryel Tinker, Wyatt Underwood, Esther Wells, Vince Worthington, and Lucy Yannarell.

When asked about the significance of the event, cast member Tamara Peters remarked, “Being an actor involves the ability to portray someone who is different from yourself. What a fantastic opportunity this cabaret offers (if only for a song) to ignore typical disqualifications of who ‘fits’ a given role. It’s a fantastic and fun challenge to perform as someone truly. different”

Christine Connor, another cast member, shared her excitement, stating, “I wanted to push myself to try a different style from what I normally sing. Miscast is such a unique opportunity to share a song’s story through another perspective.”

Attendees can anticipate a diverse selection of solos, duets, and choreographed group numbers. With songs ranging from poignant ballads to energetic showstoppers, there’s something for every musical taste.

The Wind River Theater will undergo a transformation for this event, creating an intimate atmosphere reminiscent of a jazz or night club. Small tables and lounge seating will replace traditional tiered seating, while ambient lighting sets the mood for an immersive experience. The stage will be the focal point, bathed in light to showcase the extraordinary talent of the performers.

Rooftop Productions’ Miscast Cabaret, A 40th Anniversary Celebration, will run from March 8-10 and 15-17 at 7:30 p.m. at the ARTfactory, at 9419 Battle Street, Manassas. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase online.

The ARTfactory was founded in 1984 by a group of artists and art lovers with the goal of enriching the quality of life in the Northern Virginia region. In 2002, the ARTfactory relocated to the Hopkins Candy Factory building in Manassas and has become a cornerstone of the downtown arts community. ARTFactory offers an art gallery, theatre arts, visual arts education, dance classes, Arts on the Go™, summer camps and SummerSounds Concert Series.

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The Prince William County Circuit Court Clerk: “Circuit Court Clerk Jacqueline Smith is planning civil celebrant weddings and vow renewals for her 6th Annual Valentine’s Day Bash. Couples can exchange vows in an intimate ceremony surrounded by friends and family on February 14, 2024, at the Art Factory, a contemporary art hub located in the refurbished historic Hopkins Candy Factory building in downtown Manassas, Virginia.”

“Every year, Clerk Smith hosts a Valentine’s Day Bash to provide couples with special civil celebrant ceremonies. The Bash is intended to be a full day of elegant courthouse-style weddings and vow renewals. Clerk Smith’s annual Valentine’s Day Bash brings together couples and the community to celebrate love.”

“It worked out that [the Clerk’s 2023 Valentine’s Day Bash] was happening on a special day for us, the anniversary of our first date, and when we could celebrate with our family,” said one couple. At last year’s celebration, couples renewed their vows after 15 to 40 years of marriage, and some read handwritten vows in adoration of their partners, which made the occasion unforgettable.”

“All couples are welcome! To schedule your marriage license application and ceremony at the Clerk’s 2024 Valentine’s Day Bash, please contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at 703-792-6015 or email CircuitCourt@pwcgov.org.”