We bring theatre to you! A technically equipped mobile stage that transports engaging and innovative professional theatre to audiences anywhere. We perform in a variety of settings including private events, school yards, public parks, and more. Our performances are geared for all ages.
Our Shows
A Christmas Carol - 13th year!
Our popular ‘abrevidation’ of Charles Dickens’s classic.
“Abrevidation” and Direction by Mark Lerman | Production Design by Jeremy Woodward | Sound Design by Bart Fasbender
Fees: Contact us. Discounts available for multiple bookings and not for profits.
(additional travel fees apply for performances outside of a 15-mile radius of Richmond)
2 Actors. 10 Puppets. 30 Minutes. A Performance Extravaganza!
Audiences stand or sit (on a blanket or camping chair) as they gather around the VMT to witness two of RVA’s noted thespians attempt the grueling and stage defying act of recreating Charles Dickens’s classic tale of redemption, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Watch as Ebenezer Scrooge confronts ghosts and visions from his past, present and future and marvel as the performers transform themselves into multiple characters of all ages, genders and ghostly varieties, exploring a full range of emotions that transport the audience from hope, to laughter, to pity, to shock, to love, to despair, and to hope again! And, they perform this feat of theatrical wizardry on the stage of the Virginia Theatre Machine in 30 minutes.
Hampton road’s performer Ed Whitacre returns for his 12th year, having delighted over 45,000 audience members with this production since 2008. VTM is thrilled to have RVA based multidisciplinary artist Mikaela Craft joining us this year, having recently graced Firehouse in the world premiere musical Gabriel in early 2023. Like other VTM shows, A Christmas Carol is sometimes funny, at times scary, full of puppets and special effects, and a pointedly heartfelt story told in about 30 minutes and geared for ages 6+.
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The Virginia Theatre Machine is proud to partner with Feed More (Central Virginia) and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Greater Peninsula), essential organizations that help the many Virginians who experience daily food and nutrition insecurities. During the last two years, we raised over $2,000 to support these local organizations. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in 2024-2025.
Gretel, Hansel & the Digital Witch
A contemporary adaptation of Hansel & Gretel.
Created by K. Jenkins and Mark Lerman
Original music by Kate Statelman | Production Design by Jeremy Woodward | Sound Design by Bart Fasbender
Fees: Contact us. Discounts available for multiple bookings and not for profits.(additional travel fees apply for performances outside of a 15-mile radius of Richmond)
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm, our adaptation brings this enduring tale into the 21st century.
The show follows two children, Gretel (“G”) and Hansel (“H”), whose mother makes the difficult decision to leave the familiarity and comforts of their house so that they can find a better life. They all escape into the woods where the mother leaves the sleeping children while she goes to look for food. G & H wake up alone, and are soon comforted by the song of a Digital Witch who lures and entices the children with digital confections. They are drawn into the digital lair where they are initially content to watch and play games as the days drift by. The Digital Witch feeds on the children’s ever-constant gaze, offering them games that grow in intensity, feeding on their growing disconnection from humanity. G & H grow older in this digital rift, until, becoming more cyborg than human in their digital gaming, they conjure a story their mother told them long ago and free themselves from their virtual prison. They return home to find, reunite and care for their aging parent.
Gretel, Hansel, & the Digital Witch is performed by Adam Turck and Madison Hatfield and features several original songs and a variety of magical puppets.
Ages 6+ - family oriented. 35 minute running time.
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The Virginia Theatre Machine is proud to partner with Feed More (Central Virginia) and the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Greater Peninsula), essential organizations that help the many Virginians who experience daily food and nutrition insecurities. During the last two years, we raised over $2,000 to support these local organizations. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in 2024-2025.
Other ways to enjoy the virginia theatre machine
Rent the Virginia Theatre Machine for your next party/special event: Need an intimate outdoor stage with lights and sound system? VTM makes it easy and hassle free!
Fees: 5hr minimum (includes one technician): $400* , $50/hr each additional hour. Discounts available for more than one consecutive day of rental.
(additional travel fees apply for performances outside of a 15-mile radius of Richmond)
Customized Productions: Commission the Virginia Theatre Machine to write a play based on the subject of your choice!
Availability: suggested lead-time for a custom production, 9 months.
Playwright interviews you for themes/highlights, researched the subject matter, and writes a two to three person play for your event. Virginia Theatre Machine recommends a mainly humorous touch to your custom play, but more serious matter will be entertained as well. Professional actors and directors then rehearse and perform your play for you and your guests/attendees at your event on a custom designed and built set. Cost varies on size and scale of requested production.