ATLAS Partnership

Over 120+ theatre friends gathered at Phil and Donna Whiteway’s home on May 17th to celebrate our incredible community! Good times, good food, good fellowship. For those unable to attend this year, we missed you! Mark your calendars for next year’s picnic— May 16th, 2027 (the Sunday after Mother’s Day). 🎭 (Photos by Terrie Powers and the ATLAS team)

New Voices for the Theatre is a wonderful statewide playwriting competition that has been an important part of our theatre community for decades. Video auditions and resumes are due Monday! Don't miss the opportunity to participate! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2C77GMF

Be a part of something new: The New Voices for the Theater Festival of New Works! Help young playwrights bring their stories to life as an actor or stage manager.

We are currently accepting self-tape auditions from young actors who are rising 5th grade and up, as well as stage managers from grades 8th – graduating seniors.

Check out the full character breakdown and rehearsal schedule here:
https://sparcrichmond.org/programs/new-voices/

Image Description: In the center, a group of youth and adult actors rehearse on stage. Information about the New Voices for the Theater auditions and stage management submissions is listed at the top and bottom of the image, with white text on dark blue banners.

ATLAS Partnership unequivocally supports Swift Creek Mill Theatre Artistic Director Tom Width, who, throughout more than 50 years of service, has honored the vision and legacy of the Mill's founders while making his own indelible mark on the RVA theatre community as an actor, director, designer, builder, and artistic leader.

We are aware of rumors circulating that ATLAS is attempting to "take over" the Mill. Those claims are false. Prior to the Board's announcement that the Mill was facing possible closure, we offered support in the hope of helping to prevent this very outcome. This included ideas related to fundraising, capacity building, strategic planning, and co-producing options to help alleviate the financial burden. We clearly stated that we have no desire or intention to assume positions of leadership or take over operations of the Mill.

"Partnership" is in our name for a reason. We are not a traditional theatre company; rather, we exist to support and strengthen the rich theatre ecosystem of our region, helping to sustain important artistic legacies and assets for the future. Our extension of help to the Mill directly aligns with our mission and purpose.

We do not have full insight into the discussions and processes that led to this announcement by the Mill. Nevertheless, our offer to help still stands, and we feel strongly that the Mill's staff, including and especially Tom, must be respected and recognized for their extraordinary contributions in creating an irreplaceable cultural asset that is precious to all of us.

Like so many in our community, we were concerned to read this news shared by Swift Creek Mill Theatre about their upcoming pause in operations. The Mill is an invaluable cultural asset to our region, employing dozens of artists and providing a rich array of programming for all ages. We stand with our friends and colleagues at the Mill and are committed to supporting efforts for a strong path forward.

Today, we share something important with you - and we wanted you to hear it from us directly.

After more than 60 years of professional theatre, dining, and community in the heart of Chesterfield, the Board of Directors of Swift Creek Mill Theatre has made the difficult decision to pause operations, effective May 9, 2026.

This is not a decision we made easily, and it is not the end of the story. The Board is committed to a thoughtful, honest assessment of how Swift Creek Mill Theatre can build a sustainable future — one worthy of the legacy you've helped us create. A formal decision on the path forward will be made at our August board meeting.

Our youth production of The Elves and the Shoemaker continues as planned. And before we go quiet, we want to see you — final performances of Pump Boys and Dinettes this week, our Wine Dinner on April 30, and the Cabaret If I Sing on May 8 & 9 are still ahead.

Patrons with questions about tickets, gift cards, flex passes, and dining tickets have three options now — hold, donate, or request a refund — with a fourth option in the works. Full details at swiftcreekmill.com.

To our patrons, our donors, our volunteers, and every person who has ever walked through our doors: thank you. Sixty years of this community's support has meant everything.

We hope this is not goodbye — just see you soon.



Questions: [email protected]
Media Inquiries: [email protected]