The mission of the Rappahannock Foundation, Inc. is to be a community arts advocate by providing exceptional performing arts experiences in the Northern Neck of Virginia
Arts for Youth
The Rappahannock Foundation for the Arts brings performances to Lancaster County Public School and Homeschool students through our Arts for Youth program. We believe that arts education not only inspires and motivates students to enjoy learning, it also supports the creative and critical thinking skills that are so highly valued in today's economy.
Special emphasis is placed on programming that introduces students to a variety of artistic genres including musical productions, jazz, dramatic presentations, magic, and puppetry while still tying into school curriculum.
Through grants that the RFA receives, we can nurture and spark the imaginations of youth, offer inspiration, and promote and develop life skills by bringing professional performances to students in Lancaster County. We appreciate the support for our Arts for Youth program from River Counties Community Foundation, The Tidewater Foundation and the Mason & Lulu Cole Trust Fund. The generous community support from these groups greatly enhances arts education for our children. In addition, the RFA receives grant monies from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts to support the performances we provide to the schools.
The RFA was excited to have all primary and middle school students back in the auditorium for the 2022-23 AFY season.
Virginia Repertory Theatre presented The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Wright Stuff: First in Flight for primary and middle schoolers in October. Virginia Repertory Theatre is a nonprofit, professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. They have been creating exciting and innovative theatrical productions for young audiences since 1975. They tour throughout the nation each year bringing national-caliber plays and musicals to hundreds of venues.
The Barter Players, a group of professional artists based in Abingdon, VA, presented Frosty A Musical Adventure, to all primary and middle school students in December. The Players perform world-class theatre for young people and believe in theatre that awakens the imaginations of the most exciting, most participatory audience in the world: kids. Barter Player performances focus on what brings out bravery in all of us, with shows that never talk down to their audience.
Barter ended our 2022-23 season in March with 2 virtual performances, due to ongoing construction at the Lancaster Middle School. Primary students viewed Alice in Wonderland on their classroom televisions, while secondary students saw The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Players will start off the 2023-24 season virtually as well in October, streaming The Princess and the Pea to the younger grades, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to the middle grades.
Students will return to the theater in December for a performance of The Snow Maiden by Synetic Theater. The Latin Ballet of Virginia will perform for our students February 9, as well as for our On Stage audience on the 10th. Entertainer and juggler extraordinaire Geoffrey Marsh returns to end the season in March.
Arts for Youth 2023 – 2024 Schedule
Last week October 2023
Virtual shows streamed to classrooms
The Barter Players present
The Princess & the Pea for grades K – 5
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for grades 6 - 8
Friday, December 1, 2023
Synetic Theater presents The Snow Maiden for all grades
9:30 am for elementary grades
1:30 pm for middle schoolers
Friday, February 9, 2024
Latin Ballet of Virginia performs for all grades
9:30 am for elementary grades
1:30 pm for middle schoolers
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Geoff Marsh performs for all grades
9:30 am for elementary grades
1:30 pm for middle schoolers
In person shows will be held in the newly named Lancaster Elementary School Theater.
For more information, please contact Donna McGrath 804-438-5555 or admin@rfaonstage.com.
