2019 ASC Artistic Company with Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and Managing Director Amy Wratchford
ASC National Touring Troupe members perform (above) while Gala guests mingle.
ASC's Marc Antony, Geoffrey Kent, opens the Gala with "Friends, Roman, countrymen..."
ASC Board Chair Candice Hark toasts the Gala crowd.
ASC Resident Troupe members (L-R) Geoffrey Kent, John Harrell, David Anthony Lewis and Brandon Carter perform their cover of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood."
Heifetz International Music Institute Artistic Director Nicholas Kitchen performs in tribute to Chris and Betsy Little
ASC Director of Education Sarah Enloe leads ASC Co-founder Ralph Alan Cohen through a virtual reality tour of the Blackfriars Playhouse.
ASC Resident Troupe member Zoe Speas brings virtual reality to life
ASC Resident Troupe actor John Harrell performs an excerpt of Julius Caesar.
ASC Resident Troupe member Nancy Anderson performs a song from the world-premiere musical The Willard Suitcases.
Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, Washington, DC, enjoy the Gala performance.
ASC Resident Troupe member Sylvie Davidson performs a ballad from The Willard Suitcases.
ASC Resident Troupe actors David Anthony Lewis and Constance Swain perform an excerpt from Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra.
ASC Touring Troupe member Topher Embrey performs Bottom's death up close and personal for Stauntonians Cheri and Phil Moran.
ASC Touring Troupe member Madeline Calais performing her original song "Lonesome Day" featuring Kenn Hopkins, Jr. (Adam Zarowski on bass.)
ASC camper Josie Arthur of Richmond, VA, performs her original song "The Roaring Girl"
Lena Hill, Dean of The College at Washington and Lee University, enjoys the Gala with husband Michael Hill
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny presents the 2019 Burbage Award.
ASC Managing Director Amy Wratchford presents 2019 Burbage Award to actor Paul Gross as Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny looks on.
Slings & Arrows actor Paul Gross accepts the 2019 Burbage Award on behalf of himself and co-star Martha Burns.
2019 ASC Resident Troupe closes the Gala to a rousing ovation.
The 2019 Burbage Award: a replica of the fabled Blackfriars Chandeliers mounted on a decommissioned shield once wielded by Henry V, hand-crafted by Copper Patina owner-artisan Bob Swartz.
Florals sponsored by Honey Bee's Florists.
ASC Co-Founder Ralph Alan Cohen presents the 2019 Goodfellow Award with ASC Resident Troupe member David Anthony Lewis.
ASC Resident Troupe member David Anthony Lewis congratulates Chris Little.
2019 Goodfellow Award winner Chris Little with ASC senior leadership.
2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little pose with Amy Wratchford, Ralph Alan Cohen, and actor David Anthony Lewis.
2019 Burbage Award winner Paul Gross poses with the ASC Artistic Company, Ethan McSweeny, and Amy Wratchford
ASC 2019 National Touring Troupe
ASC 2019 Resident Troupe
2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little watch video remarks from VA Senator Tim Kaine.
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and 2019 Burbage Award-winning actor Paul Gross
2019 Goodfellow Award winners Chris and Betsy Little celebrate with family Meg and Jeff Pearson
Authors Aran and Margot Shetterly; Ambassador Ken Adelman; and ASC Board Members Carol Adelman and Frank Gannon
Broadway veteran and ASC featured actor Nancy Anderson
Broadway veteran Nancy Anderson with ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Ali and Mark Russell
Sandra Higgins, Tracie Farmer, and Charman Driver attend the Gala
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, Washington, DC
ASC Board Chair Candice Hark and her husband Aaron Hark, Charlottesville, VA
Mandi Montgomery Smith and ASC Board Member Rodney Young, Staunton, VA
Ann Pontius and Michael Stahl, Staunton, VA
ASC Board Member Miriam Donald Burrows, Staunton, VA
MBU President Pamela Fox and Community Foundation President Dan Layman
ASC Co-Founder and Director of Mission Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen with his wife Judy Cohen (L) and Jackie Schwimmer (R)
Heifetz Institute Founder Daniel Heifetz and Janne Heifetz
Sara Arthur, Richmond, VA, and ASC Board Member Kara Burke, Charlottesville, VA
Ashby Wratchford and ASC Managing Director Amy Wratchford
ASC Director of Education Sarah Enloe with ASC Co-Founder and Director of Mission Dr. Ralph Alan Cohen
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny with Dorothy McSweeny, Washington, DC
Actor Stuart Margolin and Patricia Margolin, Staunton, VA
Drs. Allison and Patrick Baroco, Staunton, VA
ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny and Jim Zufall
Sarah Arthur with daughter Josie Arthur, ASC camper and featured Gala performer.
ASC Resident Troupe members Ronald Román-Meléndez and Michael Manocchio with ASC Associate Artistic Director Dan Hasse
ASC Board Member Cliff Garstang
ASC Board Member David Ladd (center) with his wife Donna, (L-R) Chris and Julia Bland, Alissa Cruz of Blue Ridge Community College.
Jeff and Cecilia Nelson with their daughter Julia, former ASC camper, Wilmington, DE
Eric Lundy and Jim Zufall, Washington, DC
James Adelman and Susan Jackowitz attend the Gala.
William and Carole Schmidt, Charlottesville, VA
Robin Miller and Lynne Turner, Richmond, VA
On Saturday, September 21, 2019 we held our Annual Gala event which boasted a performance, dinner, and dancing for guests from all over the ASC community. We had incredible attendees, awesome performers (including both our acting troupes and ASC Camper Josie Arthur), surprise guest appearances (like Senator Tim Kaine and Heifetz Institute Artistic Director Nicholas Kitchen), fun dancing, an exciting auction, and most importantly, the chance to honor some amazing people: we presented the 2019 Goodfellow Award to philanthropists Chris and Betsy Little for their service to our organization and the entire Shenandoah Valley arts community and the Burbage Award for achievement in expanding the love of Shakespeare to famed Canadian actors Paul Gross and Martha Burns for their work on the hit TV show Slings & Arrows. Mr. Gross was in attendance to accept the award.
Click through the Gallery to see some of our special highlights and guests.
All photos by Lauren Rogers Parker.