This year marks the 16th year that the Richmond Theatre Community Circle (formerly the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle) has sponsored the Richmond Theatre Community Circle (RTCC) Awards, or “Artsies,” the community’s recognition of excellence in Richmond-area theater. The theme of this year’s event – “Sweet 16” – highlights young performers who bring a fresh perspective to Richmond stages, infusing performances with energy, creativity, and a unique understanding of modern culture. Their innovative approaches to storytelling and performance resonate with younger, more diverse audiences, ensuring that theater remains accessible and relevant.
The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre.
In line with the theme, the hosts of the 2024 Artsies are well-known young Richmond theater
artists: Nora Ogunleye and August Hundley. The two first met during Virginia Rep’s production of
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, for which August served as the COVID safety manager
and Nora understudied the role of Lana. They share a love of anime and co-host a podcast called
“Anime Baddiez” in which they discuss a wide variety of current anime topics.
After graduating from James Madison University in 2016 with a degree in theater performance,
Nora started her professional theatrical career as an intern in Virginia Repertory Theater’s tour
department, then proceeded to tour both locally and nationally with Virginia Rep on Tour for the
following two years. She then went on to work with Richmond Shakespeare in their production
of Taming of the Shrew and Richmond Triangle Players (RTP) in Times Square Angel, which
became a magical stepping stone into performing. Nora was nominated for Best Direction of a
Musical in 2022 for her work co-directing A Christmas Kaddish at Richmond Triangle Players. She
was last seen onstage in RTP’s hit holiday classic Scrooge in Rouge but can also be found working
as a house manager, assistant stage manager, intimacy choreographer, or, most recently, stage
manager.
August currently works as the Director of Education and Outreach at Swift Creek Mill Theater,
teaching classes and camps, hoping to educate the next generation of theater professionals. Their
favorite Richmond productions include performing at Virginia Rep in Jack and Louise and at RTP
in Collective Rage (Betty 4), The Rocky Horror Show (Brad), The Inheritance (Eric understudy), Log
Cabin (Henry understudy), and Scrooge in Rouge (Charlie). They have also worked backstage quite
a bit at RTP, serving as the gender consultant for the 2023-24 season and as an assistant stage
manager on a handful of productions.
The members of the RTCC include Rich Griset (Style Weekly), Susie Haubenstock, Julinda Lewis
(RVArt Review), David Timberline (Style Weekly), Amy Berlin, Thomas Nowlin, and Amy Wight.
RTCC members must have seen at least two-thirds of the locally produced shows during the
season in order to vote in the award nomination process.
Formal attire is encouraged for the awards ceremony, which is open to the public. Tickets are
$25 for orchestra seating and $30 for balcony seating. They will go on sale September 15 and can
be purchased by calling the Virginia Rep box office at 804-282-2620. Get your tickets early – ticket
prices go up by $5 on September 29.
All proceeds from Artsies ticket sales support the Theatre Artist Fund of Greater Richmond. The
Fund responds to the unique needs of the local theater community, offering support for those
facing unexpected financial difficulties. The Artsies have contributed nearly $100,000 to the Fund
over the past 15 years.