Virginia Repertory Theatre, Federal Realty and the Shops at Willow Lawn
Announce the Dedication of the Children’s Theatre of Virginia
Ribbon Cutting to take place Wednesday, April 10 at 11 am
Richmond, VA, March 13, 2013 – Federal Realty Investment Trust and Virginia Repertory Theatre announce today the official dedication of the Children’s Theatre of Virginia and the ribbon cutting for the newly installed permanent sign on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:00 am. The Children’s Theatre of Virginia is located at The Shops at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive in the space formerly occupied by Barksdale Theatre. The celebration will take place in conjunction with Willow Lawn’s popular free community event, Mommy and Me, a program that attracts 500 parents and young tots monthly. Family entertainer, Hope Harris will perform and kid friendly activities will be available from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. The dedication will take place at 11:00 am and is open to the public.
After the merger of Theatre IV and Barksdale Theatre in July of 2012, the children’s programming moved to Willow Lawn under the new name, Children’s Theatre of Virginia. The thrust stage provides an intimate experience for younger audiences, and the newly renovated Shops at Willow Lawn provides family friendly shopping and dining along with convenient parking. Federal Realty and the Shops at Willow Lawn are premier sponsors of the Children’s Theatre of Virginia which stages at least six shows per season serving thousands of families and students through public performances and school matinees.
Phil Whiteway, Managing Director of Virginia Rep, is thrilled with the new arrangement. “We couldn’t be more pleased to bring our children’s programs to this great venue. Recent shows such as Madeline’s Christmas and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile have had nearly sold out runs for both school and weekend performances. We are grateful to Federal Realty for their efforts to make this transition a success.”
In addition to the mainstage productions, the Willow Lawn facility houses Virginia Rep’s education department which provides outreach to teachers and libraries and programs for students such as summer camps and workshops. In addition, Virginia Rep participates in FIELD Arts project in collaboration with Richmond CenterStage and the Latin Ballet of Virginia. The program reinforces essential concepts in language arts literacy through the study of and participation in the arts. Virginia Rep continues its touring arm with in-school assembly style education plays under the name Theatre IV.
Virginia Repertory Theatre is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
About Willow Lawn:
The Shops at Willow Lawn is an outdoor lifestyle shopping center located at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive in Richmond, Virginia and is owned and operated by Federal Realty Investment Trust. A major renovation was completed at Willow Lawn in 2012 and now offers a full range of amenities including a community gathering place with a central stage and children’s play area, new retail storefronts, inviting sidewalks with improved property circulation, centralized parking and enhanced landscaping. Willow Lawn features more than 60 shops and restaurants including Old Navy, Which Wich, Claire’s, Tropical Smoothie Café, Crazy 8, Lenscrafters, Staples, Bath and Body Works, Ashley Stewart, Starbucks and American Tap Room (coming spring 2013). For more information visit www.willowlawn.com or follow event updates on Facebook and Twitter.
About Federal Realty:
Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty’s portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 19.6 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.3% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of December 31, 2012, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.2% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 45 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.
About Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia’s leading professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals including classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. The touring arm presents educational, assembly style plays in schools throughout Virginia and 32 other states. Mainstage productions in Richmond take place at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and Virginia Rep’s Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern.
