Local theater company previews season, social-access plans and Uruguay artist residency
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Summary
A Leesburg resident said she and partners are launching a contemporary theater company, planning a launch party Oct. 5 and a staged concert of Into the Woods Nov. 7 at Faith Chapel in Lucketts; she also described an artist residency project in Uruguay seeking grant support.
Vanessa Borg, a Leesburg resident and local business owner, told the commission she has launched a new contemporary theater company and outlined plans to make performances more accessible and to develop an international artist exchange.
"We're starting up. Yay. We're gonna have a launch party in October, October 5," Borg said, adding that her company will stage Into the Woods with opening night Nov. 7 and a second performance Nov. 8. Borg said proceeds from the performances will be donated to a local nonprofit while the company completes its 501(c)(3) application.
Borg said the company is building accessibility features into programming: one performance of each show will include on-site childcare provided by paid childcare workers selected by lottery so that families can attend without additional out-of-pocket childcare costs. She said the group also plans sensory-friendly performances and accessible seating configurations.
Borg described a parallel international project led by visual artist Leonina Arizmendi, who is pursuing a government grant in Uruguay to build a small artist community using repurposed shipping containers for tiny-home artist residencies and ecotourism. Borg said the proposed residency would aim to strengthen cultural ties between Leesburg-area artists and a community near San Jose, Uruguay.
Borg said she is assembling a nonprofit board and partnering with local collaborators: "We're partnering with Foliage in Downtown Neasburg. They're gonna be bringing a bunch of plants and help make the set beautiful," she told commissioners.
A commissioner advised Borg about fundraising timing and tax rules: donations can be retroactive if donors give after the event and the group later secures federal 501(c)(3) status, but donors should consult tax advisors about timing.
Ending: Borg invited commissioners to upcoming events and offered to share links and promotional materials with the commission.
Provenance: Borg's remarks were made during the petitioners/public comment portion of the meeting; she identified herself and described her plans in detail.