“At This Performance” Theme Celebrates Understudies, Alternates, Swings, and Standbys
This year marks the 17th 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 – “At This Performance” – highlights the many actors other than a production’s principals without whom the show would not go on. They work hard and prepare to step in at a moment’s notice, ensuring a smooth run when things go awry. Actors employed as standbys, swings, and understudies may learn multiple
roles and are prepared to fill any of them, often without much rehearsal time. This year’s theme
honors these intrepid, underappreciated professionals, who are the backbone of a successful
production.
The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, at Virginia Rep’s November
Theatre.
“At This Performance” refers to the traditional heading on a playbill insert that announces that an
understudy, alternate, swing, or standby is stepping into a principal role. In line with the theme,
the hosts of the 2025 Artsies are well-known young Richmond theater artists, both of whom have
served as understudies: Rachel Garmon-Williams and Travis Williams.
Rachel’s (They/Them) extensive experience ranges from acting to improv, including performing,
teaching, and managing improv troupes. In addition, they serve as the Executive Director and
Founder of improv company Bridge 9 Theater, producing/improvising shows such as Closing
Night: An Improvised Musical and Shakes-N Not Stirred: Classics with a Twist. Rachel also
serves as a disability advocate. The creator of Sensory Friendly Improv, they work hard to make
shows and classes accessible to the disability community. Rachel attended Henrico Center for the
Arts and graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Musical Theater/Non-Profit
Management. Their work on Richmond stages includes The Rocky Horror Show
(Transylvanian/Phantom) with Richmond Triangle Players (RTP), Comedy of Errors (Adrianna)
with Richmond Shakespeare, and Hamlet (Guildenstern, Francisco, Player Queen, Priest) with
Richmond Shakespeare. Their understudy credits include Betty #5 in Collective Rage: A Play in
5 Betties with RTP (where they debuted opening weekend), Christmas on the Rocks (Woman)
with RTP, Log Cabin (Pam) with RTP, Airswimming (Dora/Persephone) with RTP, and Roman á
Clef (Fiona/Queenie) with Firehouse Theatre. Of note, the latter two productions, with two roles
to learn apiece, overlapped.
Travis (He/Him) has been performing within the improv and scripted theater scenes for over a
decade. He is from RVA and went to Henrico High School, where he met Rachel in a production
of Grease. Some of his favorite productions include Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
(Sherlock Holmes) with Virginia Rep, The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie/Dr. Scott) with RTP, The
Tempest (Sebastian) with Richmond Shakespeare, Arsenic & Old Lace (Mortimer) at Dogwood
Dell, and Holmes & Watson (Holmes/Moriarty/Inspector/Orderly) with Swift Creek Mill.
Understudy credits include Torch Song (Ed) with RTP, With Bells On (Ted) with RTP, and Dial M
For Murder (Lesgate/Inspector Hubbard) with Virginia Rep. He also excels in the clutch, going
on with 2 hours’ notice in Richmond Shakespeare’s production of Hamlet. When not performing
with a script, Travis can be seen on stage improvising with Bridge 9 Theater, where favorite
experiences range from creating a two-act improvised musical with Closing Night, drunk
performing classics with Shakes-N Not Stirred, and having a blast with two of his best friends in
Man Candy. He is the creator of the Improv Mixtape and has spent the past decade teaching
improvisation to high school students.
In an effort to acknowledge the critical role understudies, alternates, standbys, and swings play in
a production, beginning with the 2025 Artsies, the RTCC will list all members of a cast –
including those in such roles – for nominees and recipients of the Ernie McClintock Best Acting
Ensemble Award.
The members of the RTCC include Tim Clausing, Rachel Dilliplane, Melissa Johnston Price,
Julinda Lewis (RVArt Review), David Timberline (Style Weekly), Caroline Weist, 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 21 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 October 5.
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 more than $100,000 to the
Fund over the past 15 years.