T  h  e  a  t  r  e     I  V
B r o a d w a y   f o r   F a m i l i e s
(Judith Crenshaw)
Our theatre company is Theatre IV/Barksdale Theatre,  so the same
management organization runs both divisions of the theatre. Theatre IV
started  with two University of Richmond graduates, wanting to fill the
need for arts education in Virginia. They organized and performed plays
on-site in schools.  Bruce Miller was a teacher who felt that arts
education needed a lot of improvement. The other Theatre IV founder is
Phil Whiteway, who was in the Navy at the time. They were college
buddies who performed on the stage together at the University of
Richmond.  Their whole idea and the way the company began over 30
years ago, literally started out of the back of their station wagon
taking live performance to schools.  The touring operation of taking
theatre out into schools and trying to fit into the curriculum  of was the
genesis of Theatre IV.  Another part of their mission which continues
today is to contribute to the community with social service and
community outreach. One of the first big programs they initiated was to
get together with the Virginia Department of Social services and
develop a show called "Hugs and Kisses," a sexual abuse prevention play.  
It was the very first thing of its kind and is still relevant 25 years later.
The show is taken out to high risk neighborhoods, churches, schools, and
community groups.   Because it talks about sexual abuse prevention,
there is always a Virginia Department of Social services representative
there on site when the play is performed. The show lets kids know what is
and what isn't sexual abuse and there is a counselor there.  I bring this
up because this is a  really big part of Theatre IV's mission.
(The Richmond Buzz)
Tell me about your current
main stage plays  from theatre
IV
(Judith Crenshaw)
I think the fact that it was world premiere -- there has never been a
childrens' adaptation of an opera like that, it was a new idea. And there
is the intellectual appeal thatI just mentioned.  The show exposed really
young children to Mozart -- to the story behind the opera, making it fun
and silly.  Normally when you say "opera" you think "boring -- I am not
going to take my family to that," but what lies at the heart of all operas
are just good stories.  Bruce and Phil commissioned a local guy for the
piece name Paul Deiss, he is a really talented composer who lives here in
Richmond.
Want more?  go to www.barksdalerichmond.org
www.theatreiv.org
Article By:
Scott Eicholtz
Photos By:
Scott E Vision Studios 2006©
Catch the buzz



Barksdale Theatre & Theatre IV  have
something for everyone to enjoy --
wonderful shows for children, and
classic tales for the adults.  Theatre IV
is Virginia's largest professional theatre
and one of Richmond's largest non
profit arts organizations.  Richmond is a
Vibrant Theatre town with  a lot of
options for professional theatre, and
both Theatre IV & Barksdale Theatre
stand out as some of the leading venues
in the Richmond area.  This is the first in a
series of articles to come showcasing
Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV. Many
consider them the hottest ticket in town.
 Children, family, and community are
what Theatre IV is all about.  Judith
Crenshaw, the publicist for both
theatres gives The Richmond Buzz an in
depth view of Theatre IV and  its many
offerings for family theatre.
Barksdale Theatre And Theatre
IV

Bruce Miller  : Artistic Director

Phil Whiteway  : Managing
Director
(The Richmond Buzz)
How did Theatre IV/Barksdale Theatre start?
(The Richmond Buzz)
Does Theatre IV still tour?
(Judith Crenshaw)
The touring company is still very much alive and kicking, it is a division
of Theatre IV that operates in thirty-three different states,  over a
million kids a year see Theatre IV shows in their schools.  The way that
this has morphed recently is incorporating the virginia Standards of
Learning.   With the emphasis on testing and rigid curriculum items that
the teachers have to meet, Theatre IV took that and ran with it.
Most of our live performances in the last five to eight years meet
specific state standards of learning guidelines.  In other words, it's not
just fluff or just a break for the kids to get out of school. If the show is
on Pocahontas then there is a list of ten to fifteen state standards of
learning issues that we are specifically hitting on..
(Judith Crenshaw)
We maintain a professional
Theatre IV company that does
a season of 4 shows that are
usually split between The
Empire Theatre downtown and
the Barksdale Theatre space
at Willow Lawn.     We try to do
a combination of things with
our main stage company.  We
cover literature that students
are often exposed to in school -- popular book series like "Bunnicula."
Then we present big, splashy, Broadway-style shows downtown
at The Empire. Because of trying to meet patrons' needs for those who do
not make it downtown quite that often, we have two of Theatre IV
season's smaller literature-based shows presented at Barksdale
Theatre.  This season "Bunnicula" and "The Magic Flute" (an adaptation
of the Mozart opera) were held at Barksdale, and  "You're a Good Man
Charlie Brown" and "Disney's Beusty and the Beast" were presented at
the larger Empire space downtown.   Theatre IV owns and operates The
Empire Theatre which is downtown in Richmond, 114 West Broad Street.  
It is a beautiful historic theatre.  The Empire Theatre seats about 600
people, it's a huge.    This year our big spring show was "Disney's Beauty
and the Beast."  It was very large-scale, big budget, with huge production
value.  So many people are just blown away by the quality of Theatre IV
mainstage productions. Many students travel to both these theatres take
take a feild trip and see a show.
(The Richmond Buzz)
What is the target age range for the shows?
(Judith Crenshaw)
Four and up, it ranges per show. Some of the literature-based shows can
be a little older, like ages 6 and up.  The ssmaller hows are specificly
designed not to run longer than about an hour, very much with wiggle
factor in mind. The large Broadway-style shows last two hours with an
intermission in the middle.There is always appeal on a childrens'
level and an adult level.  They are funny for adults and they have got
a lot of intellectual elements thrown in that only the adults get, but
there is anotherlevel where children are cracking up and learning life
lessons all at the same time.
(The Richmond Buzz)
What do you think made The Magic Flute so popular that it sold out so
quickly?
(The Richmond Buzz)
What do you say to a parent who
has never been  down to see a
show at Theatre IV?
school, we saw them."  But if you haven't seen a Theatre IV mainstage
performance, you haven't been to Theatre IV.  You really need to come
see and experience what we are about.
Box Office (804) 282-2620
The shows are very high quality,
professional theatre -- often
times
better than what you will see in
the National touring companies
that breeze through
town. I think a lot of families
think "Theatre IV comes to our
Theatre IV
114 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA. 23220
Office: 804 - 783 - 1688
Box Office: 804-344-8040
nfo@theatreivrichmond.org