08/28/2026
Our hearts are pouring for the Virginia Stage Company
Being a historical building ourselves, who have dealt with our own technical, mechanical, structural, etc. issues, we understand and empathize with everything they are going through. The employees and volunteers are working constantly to save and repair their beautiful, amazing building, where they have created magic for a century.
All of the details of what happened, and what you can do to help them are pictured and linked. Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theater is a Norfolk landmark and iconic theater. Please assist us in helping them to their reopening and success!
What Happened to the Wells Theatre
Thursday:
A severe rainstorm sent water pouring into the theatre, reaching the stage, backstage areas, box seats, hallways, and other spaces throughout the building. VSC staff and crews immediately began the work of protecting equipment, assessing the damage, and removing water.
Saturday morning:
More than 40 volunteers from across Hampton Roads joined our staff at the Wells to help with the initial cleanup. They moved equipment, cleaned spaces, removed water, and helped make tremendous progress. Virginia Stage Company remains incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up when we needed them.
Saturday evening:
Another storm brought more water into the Wells, undoing some of that progress and causing additional damage throughout the building. As difficult as Saturday night was, Virginia Stage Company knows it would have been much worse without the extraordinary work of our volunteers earlier that day.
Where Things Stand Today
If you walked into the Wells today, you would see heaters and dehumidifiers throughout the theatre as mitigation work continues. There is still a great deal of work to be done before rebuilding can begin, and VSC are continuing to inspect equipment and determine the full extent of the damage. Some of the news has been difficult. The Clavinova digital piano they planned to use in Come From Away was destroyed by the flooding. But there is good news, too. Despite the initial fears, the Wells Theatre's fly system, which allows them to bring curtains and scenery in and out above the stage, is fully operational. And work has resumed on the scenery for Come From Away.
Help Virginia Stage Company Move Forward
There are several ways you can help Virginia Stage Company right now.
Make a donation.
Your gift will directly support the unexpected costs associated with cleanup, recovery costs, and getting the Wells ready to welcome audiences again.
Buy a ticket.
Seeing a show is more than a night at the theatre. Right now, buying a ticket is also a meaningful way to support VSC and the artists who make this work possible.
Become a subscriber.
A Season 48 subscription gives you seven shows and a full season of extraordinary stories at the Wells while providing VSC with vital support for the season ahead.
https://www.vastage.org/blog/2026/8/22/help-bring-back-the-wells
https://tickets.vastage.org/7851/7996?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=s4826_0825BenefitUpdate&utm_content=version_A
