AWARDS SEASON FOR THE DMV REGION
In 1983, Broadway producer Bonnie Nelson Schwartz, producing partner Arthur Cantor, and Washington Post theater critic Richard L. Coe devised a plan to cultivate and strengthen the D.C. theater community. They presented the idea to Washington native Helen Hayes, famously known as the "First Lady of the American Theatre." She embraced the project, and the Washington Theatre Awards Society was formed.
The Helen Hayes Awards recognizes outstanding achievement in professional theater across the Washington, D.C. region. Administered by what is now known as Theatre Washington, the awards celebrate the region's vibrant theatrical landscape and honor local and visiting productions.
As the Washington, D.C. theater scene exploded in size—growing to encompass over 90 professional companies—the awards evolved. In 2013, to better reflect the diverse sizes and resources of local theaters, Theatre Washington announced a restructuring of the adjudication process. Starting with the 2015 ceremony, productions and performers were split into two separate judging pools based on the percentage of Actors' Equity union contracts used: the "Helen" pool and the "Hayes" pool.
This year Embracing Arlington Arts is capturing conversations with Helen Hayes nominees across the artistic categories. We are thankful to Michael Burke and Carl Wayne Smith whose generosity made the series possible. Go to Embracing Arlington Arts website to listen to the interviews that include Fran Tapia who is nominated in four categories including lead performer in a musical with Spooky Action Theater Company and in the musical Botiquin de boleros Columbia Heights (Columbia Heights Bolero Bar) from Gala Hispanic Theater Company.
The interview with Kenny Neal and Meagan Holden, the design team from Not Your Mother’s Goose is quite insightful as he provides details about color palettes, sensitivities for the sounds of violence, and integrative design elements.
The interview with Rayanne Gonzalez from Signature Theatre’s production of In the Heights is quite touching as she recalls the influence of the strong women in her life including her mother and abuelita (grandmother). Ms. Gonzalez originated in the role of Abuela Claudia in the first touring production of In the Heights, which won the best musical award for the legendary Lin Manuel Miranda. Embracing Arlington Arts Talks spotlighted over 12 artists who will be in the running for the coveted award on the evening of Monday, May 18, at the Anthem Theater.
LEGENDARY LEADERSHIP AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
Listeners to Embracing Arlington Arts Talks are always exposed to insightful and intriguing conversations with renowned artists from around Arlington and the larger DMV region. The Dean of the College of the Visual and Performing Arts provides a rich conversation about the merits of teaching, directing, and leading a major arts institute.
Carlos Velázquez: We are here in this amazing, state-of-the-art recording studio at the Fuse at George Mason University, and it is my pleasure to have with us a legend in the theater world, a professor, practitioner, and a true artist, Dean Rick Davis of the College of the Visual and Performing Arts. Dean Davis, how are you?
Dean Rick Davis: Doing very well, thanks, it's great to be here. I've been to the Fuse many times, but this is the first time I've ever been in the podcast studio, so I'm delighted to see how slick it is.
Carlos Velázquez: It is very nice. When I say state-of-the-art, it's state-of-the-art for everything. We are surrounded by cameras and a high-tech sound board. Thank you to the university for partnering with Embracing Arlington Arts. Why don't we start by having you tell our followers a little bit about yourself and your long history in the arts world.
Dean Rick Davis: Oh, thank you. I'll give you a little bit of a backstory of how I got here. I grew up in Wisconsin and started out doing theater as a very young person. I was lucky enough to sit behind a light board at age 9 and start to learn and get taken with the whole idea of design and lighting. I got involved with a summer production in our local community theater of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. When you're 9 years old, and you're running this really cool early electronic lighting board, you know, with all these dimmers and switches and faders and things, and I was a boy electrician, I was a ham radio operator, and I was a tech geek at that age, and I loved all the things that I could make happen.
You know, I wasn't designing, but I was executing these. But it was also Shakespeare, and you know, when you're that age, and when you have nothing else to do, and you're seeing a show probably 20 or 30 times, because it was a summer run. I was hooked!
Listen to the full delightful interview with Dean Davis as he talks about the introduction of a 12-time Helen Hayes Award-winning theater company to George Mason University and the launch of a digital arts department that is elevating the visibility of the college as a center for excellence.
Dean Rick Davis
GMU School of the Visual and Performing Arts
THE ARTS FOR VETERANS
The journey of healing and coping for veterans can often be a complex and challenging path. Among the various therapeutic approaches available, art therapy for veterans has emerged as a particularly effective means of addressing the unique challenges faced by those who have served. The transformative power of creative expression in aiding veterans during the healing process can’t be undervalued. There are several programs in the DMV area that integrate the arts into the healing process.
For many veterans, the transition back to civilian life can be marked by struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Art for veterans offers a nonverbal mode of expression that allows individuals to articulate feelings and experiences that might be too difficult to express in words. According to NIH, artistic activities can act as a form of emotional release, providing a safe space for self-expression and reflection. Here are some key benefits of art therapy:
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Reduces Symptoms of PTSD: Studies have shown that veterans using art therapy for PTSD experience significant reductions in their symptoms.
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Improves Mental Health: Artistic expression can lead to improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better overall mental health.
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Enhances Cognitive Abilities: Making art can improve cognitive functions such as memory and concentration.
Participating in veterans’ art therapy classes provides more than just an opportunity for individual expression. It also creates a community where veterans can share experiences and support each other. This sense of community is crucial in overcoming isolation and building a support network.
Locally, the Arlington Artists Alliance regularly hosts programs and gallery exhibitions that celebrate and empower local military veterans and their families. These initiatives provide a creative outlet and a community space for veterans to express their unique experiences through art.
Other local veterans arts programs include:
Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP): A major D.C.-area nonprofit that provides free, trauma-informed, 7-week courses in comedy, improv, storytelling, creative writing, and visual arts. They regularly host workshops and graduation shows at venues across the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia).
Veterans and the Arts Initiative (Hylton Performing Arts Center): Located in nearby Manassas, VA, this program serves the broader military community with free, hands-on workshops in guitar, visual arts, and graphic arts.
Military in the Arts Initiative (Workhouse Arts Center): Located in Lorton, VA, this initiative offers expert-led classes, family craft workshops, and dedicated veterans' open studio sessions spanning various mediums like glass and ceramics.
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks had the good fortune of spotlighting Melissa Errico, who shared her veterans focused efforts and the creative vision for The Story of Rose: A Musical Reverie on the Great War. Stay tuned as we launch a special podcast series that spotlights local arts groups dedicated to supporting veterans and their healing process.
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CORPORATE SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT
We appreciate the generosity of our newest sponsor, Mason Arts, which includes the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University. Mason Arts is a diverse and inclusive community of artists, educators, and changemakers who expand and empower our community through the arts. Mason Arts encompasses the seven academic programs of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, seven community arts programs, seven galleries, and two performing arts centers, and their digital venue, Mason Arts Amplified. The impact of this work shows up as the largest arts presence in Northern Virginia. At every stage of life, Mason Arts enables people to explore their creativity and passion for art and artistry in all its forms.
2026 CORPORATE SPONSORS
Opportunities for corporate sponsorship are open, and we encourage local businesses and allied groups to consider becoming a supporter of Embracing Arlington Arts. We certainly could not be as successful or effective as we have been or continue to be without the support of our partners. And we offer many opportunities to acknowledge these generous supporters. Support the second most downloaded theater podcast in the country. For more information, follow this link.
SUPPORT US
If you would like to support the work of Embracing Arlington Arts by making a donation, here’s how:
Make tax deductible contributions online. Tax-deductible contributions by check made payable to Embracing Arlington Arts and send it to Embracing Arlington Arts, 2104 North Kenmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201
Every dollar helps us help artists and arts organizations in so many ways. Thank you in advance!