The Tony Award-winning Matilda: The Musical is a celebration of the power of imagination and the courage to overcome obstacles, and we were so excited to extend our spirit of inclusiveness through Virginia Stage Company's Public Works Day!

On Saturday, May 25, we opened the doors of the historic Wells Theatre to our diverse Public Works Virginia communities. Guests from all over Hampton Roads were invited to a Matilda: The Muscial matinee with Open Captioning and Audio Description accessible services, in partnership with Access Virginia, and American Sign Language interpretation. Before the show, Public Works teaching artists led a “touch-tour” of the set, props, and costume pieces for blind and low vision participants, where they could get up close and personal with some of the key pieces used in Matilda! A delicious welcome luncheon, catered by Tap It Local and Lumpia and Company, was provided.

Public Works Virginia is a major initiative of Virginia Stage Company that seeks to engage the people of Hampton Roads by making them creators of theater rather than spectators. Working with community partner organizations across the seven cities, Public Works Virginia invites community members to attend classes, attend productions, and join in the creation of ambitious works of participatory theater.

Check out some photos below of the event! All photos by Philip Shucet Photography.