About

Our Mission

Virginia Musical Theatre (VMT) was established in 1991 to entertain a diverse audience with the uniquely American art form known as musical theatre. VMT productions bring together the very best professional, regional and Broadway artists available.

VMT provides a vibrant, collaborative venue to attract and nurture emerging talent, especially through its partnership with the Musical Theatre Department at The Governor’s School for the Arts, where students from the performing arts high school work with professional actors, directors, choreographers and designers in both master classes and onstage productions held at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.

Performed in the stunning Sandler Center, Virginia Musical Theatre annually produces four musicals—generally two contemporary and two from the classic Broadway canon, bringing together the finest professional musical theatre performers from New York, regional theatres and local talent.

Now entering our 30th anniversary season, VMT remains the only professional arts organization in Hampton Roads devoted exclusively to musical theatre. This focused commitment ensures its contributions enhance efforts of other institutions to complete the region’s cultural fabric. VMT provides: 1) affordable, professional, high quality productions; 2) added breadth to alternative popular fare offered by touring and other groups; and 3) educational performances for school audiences.

Humble Beginnings

Commonwealth Musical Stage was incorporated in 1991 as the state’s only professional theatre committed exclusively to the production of musical theatre. To more clearly reflect the company’s identity, the name was changed to Virginia Musical Theatre in 1997. VMT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. A volunteer board of trustees oversees the fiduciary responsibilities of the company.

To date, VMT has produced more than 100 different productions that represent the diversity of the genre (From Oklahoma to La Cage Aux Folles), its ever-changing musical styles (Tintypes to A Chorus Line), and the genius of its creators (Man of La Mancha to South Pacific). America’s foremost composers and lyricists are represented, collectively mirroring the history and popular culture of Twentieth Century America and offering a comprehensive survey of the art form’s development.

 

VMT actively cultivates student groups, bringing an amalgamation of musical theatre and historical educational value. For each production, VMT offers a student-priced ticket as well as student rush tickets. For selected productions, VMT offers special showings to local students.

We operate under agreements with Actors’ Equity Association and Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, the unions representing American Theatre professionals. Like the other principal arts organizations in the region, VMT combines guest artists with regional professionals in its productions. An average of 300 performers, musicians, designers, directors, choreographers and technicians are employed each season.

Where are

they now?

Our artists have gone on to Broadway,
TV and more.