Riverside Center for the Performing Arts
Discover unforgettable performances at Riverside, where creativity meets community. We celebrate the arts while engaging a vibrant audience of all ages.
Our Mission
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit professional regional theatre that is dedicated to quality, dynamic performances, arts education, and meaningful cultural experiences that engage, entertain, and inspire our community.
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating to support our mission!
Our Vision
To be a nationally respected and recognized regional arts center that produces exceptional entertainment and performing arts experiences that inspire, connect and enrich our artists and audiences.
Our Core Values
Riverside Center for the Performing Arts adds value to Central Virginia and the region by:
1. Producing and presenting work of the highest artistic quality, while fostering creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement.
2. Building strong partnerships with artists, educators, organizations and stakeholders, as well as Local and State Governments to amplify our impact.
3. Embracing new ideas, new technologies, and new approaches to remain relevant and responsive in a changing environment.
Our Goals
Artistic Excellence | Collaboration and Community Engagement | Innovation and Adaptability
Our Story
Riverside Through the Years
1998
On June 18, 1998, Riverside Center Dinner Theater and Conference Facility raised the curtain on the theater’s inaugural production of Oklahoma!, realizing Rollin E. Wehman’s dream of musical theatre in a dinner theater format for the Fredericksburg community. A circle of devoted investors built a beautiful facility with not only a traditional proscenium stage, Virginia’s only dinner theatre fly loft, and seating at tables on tiered levels for over 400, but also a chandeliered lobby and ballroom for community events. In the 27 years since, hundreds of critically acclaimed mainstage musicals, plays, guest artists and Children’s Theatre productions continued to validate Mr. Wehman’s vision. Under the leadership of Patrick A’Hearn since 2010, Riverside continued to gain credibility as a quality theatre destination to become a major regional theater along the Richmond, VA to Washington, DC corridor.
2024
In 2024 Riverside Center attained the status of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, allowing it to expand the commitment to the vibrancy of our community through educational programs and scholarships to deserving students furthering their careers in the performing arts. With grants and generous contributions from the public, Riverside offers an annual summer performing arts camp free of charge to economically disadvantaged children and youth. Riverside Center for the Performing Arts remains today a steadfast resource for Broadway-quality entertainment in Virginia.
2016
In 2016, the business rebranded as Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, with an ever-widening reputation and recognition for production excellence attracting performers from the Broadway stage and national-tour casts. The addition of the live orchestra prompted musical theatre critics to cite Riverside Center as “consistently demonstrating high-quality, professional-caliber productions” and “one of the best places to see musicals in the D.C. area.” 2020 impacted Riverside Center, like all theaters and performing arts organizations, with the challenge of the covid pandemic. Riverside met the challenge with resilience and fortitude as it remained relevant throughout the period. With strong leadership and the great fortune of being granted the Shuttered Venue grant, Riverside came out stronger than ever before.
Meet the Team
Our Staff
Our staff members bring a wealth of experience and passion to the Riverside Center. Each individual plays a unique role in shaping our vision and ensuring our productions are top-notch.
Leadership
Patrick A’Hearn
CEO and Producing Artistic Director
Carson Eubank
Associate Producing Artistic Director & Music Supervisor
Production
Barbara Breen
Company Manager
Aaron Thomas Moore
Production Manager
Christian Ward
Technical Director
Sara Clark
Costume Shop Manager
Weston Corey
Master Electrician
Reilly Cooper
Props Master
Cheyenne Tenda
A1/Head Audio
Cody Medley
Resident Stage Manager
Bethany Cheek
Resident Design Assistant/Wig Designer
Jared Elton
Scenic Charge Artist
Administration
Amber Harley
Accountant
Reggie Eusebio
Operations Manager
Box Office
Nancy Huffine
Box Office Manager
Box Office Associates
Tammi Alford
Kristen Meade
Marketing and Group Sales
Sarah Andersen
Director of Marketing
Alyssa Fleming
Group Sales Coordinator
Food and Beverage
Stefan Boutchyard
Executive Chef
Events
Reggie Eusebio
Events Coordinator
Riverside Center Board
Board of Directors
With diverse backgrounds, our board members are committed to guiding Riverside Center in our mission. From experienced theater professionals to community advocates, they each contribute their skills and insights. Together, they ensure that every performance resonates with our audience and enriches our shared cultural experience.
Dr. John Coker
Vice President
Dr. Carolyn Norman
Secretary
Liz Lane
Interim Treasurer
Patrick A'Hearn
CEO and Producing Artistic Director
Stephen Dickinson
Jeffrey Dunn
Deborah Nelson
Kevin Perry
Dr. Tom Phillips
Eric Purcell
Stephen Dickinson
Jeffrey Dunn
Deborah Nelson
Kevin Perry
Dr. Tom Phillips
Eric Purcell
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