A Message from Kevin Harnisch Board of Directors President
Focus on the Arts! Things Are Happening!
Our patrons received our last production, Crimes of the Heart, a play about three very quirky sisters, with great enthusiasm. We know audiences will also love our final show of the season, I Love You Because, which opens June 12th. Read on for more details about this delightful, modern-day musical love story. Speaking of details, the Directors for some of our upcoming productions will announce our exciting new season at our Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, June 15. See the details below under Save the Date. If you are a PPF member, we would love to see you there! We continue to embrace the joys and challenges of running an award-winning community theater. Not only have we welcomed numerous new actors and backstage volunteers to our company, but we are also actively working to:
- Find candidates for our scholarships
- Invest in a new ticketing platform
- Recruit more techies
- Perform outreach to new audience members
- Continue our advocacy for the Fairfax arts community
We are proud of the quality of our productions as well as our efforts to support our theater community. Take a look at what we have been up to – and join us!
Kevin Harnisch
President, Board of Directors
Opening Soon!
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE
A modern day musical love story Music by JOSHUA SALZMAN Book and Lyrics by RYAN CUNNINGHAM Orchestrations by Larry Hochman I LOVE YOU BECAUSE was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival of new Musicals in 2005 This June, Providence Players is bringing the charming musical, I Love You Because, to the stage. This witty, heartfelt romantic comedy, inspired by Pride and Prejudice and set in modern-day New York City, follows four New Yorkers navigating the messy realities of modern relationships with humor, warmth, and an irresistibly catchy score. Whether you love classic Broadway romance or modern musical comedies, this show offers something wonderfully human at its center. With a fresh contemporary score, sharp comedy, and genuine emotional heart, this musical reminds us that meaningful relationships aren’t built on perfection—they’re built on acceptance, honesty, and connection. If you enjoy smart romantic comedies, modern musicals, or stories with heart and humor, we think you’ll fall for this one!
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. June 12 thru June 27 Sunday Matinees at 2:00 p.m. June 14 and June 21 James Lee Community Center Theater: 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA, 22042
Spotlight on the Director: Jason Damaso
by Tina Thronson
Providence Players of Fairfax (PPF) welcomes an old friend and PPF first-time director, Jason Damaso, to the James Lee Center. He will be directing the delightful musical, I Love You Because. Jason reminded me that his 16-year involvement in theater began with our 2010 production of The Laramie Project. We must have done something right because he “got bitten by the bug” and progressed over the years through backstage crew, the tech booth, producing, and most recently, directing. However, we couldn’t claim all his attention since 2010. He and his husband, Mario Font, are theater nomads who participate in multiple plays for various companies throughout the year. Currently, Jason serves as President of Dominion Stage! Jason’s willingness to work in various capacities across different theater companies provided him with excellent preparation when he finally took the directorial plunge. In recent years, he co-directed the raucous jukebox musical comedy Head Over Heels for Damascus Theater Company, followed by the tragic rock musical Rent for Dominion. He became interested in directing I Love You Because because it presented unique challenges that would allow him to further display his versatility as a director. So, when PPF Board members told him we were mounting this production, he volunteered to direct it. Jason acknowledged: “There certainly are production challenges, particularly the need to transform the stage 18 times to different New York locations. I’m working closely with the Lighting Designer to help audiences recognize the changing settings. The other challenge, and what has been an interesting lesson, has been the casting process. I suspect all directors come to auditions with preconceived notions about each character. I certainly had mine. However, in auditions, fate provides you with actors who may not fit the original vision. Oddly, this is a theme of this script: people sometimes have rigid expectations and miss the opportunity to find love. If I had had rigid expectations in auditions, I might have missed out on some wonderful actors. Luckily, I was open and have a great cast!“ Another reason to direct this show? Jason feels he has a unique perspective on living in New York. “I binged on New York-set sitcoms like Friends and Seinfeld while living in New York for eight years during the 1990s. Both the sitcoms and the city really helped me understand the distinctive New York vibe and the interconnected nature of diverse people in the city. I look forward to sharing all this with our audiences.
Spotlight on the Musical Director: Sean MacCarthy-Grant
by Tina Thronson 
I confess, I was dragging a bit when I launched an early morning Zoom call to Sean. I think I was still asleep – but not for long. I was greeted by an extraordinary bundle of energy and enthusiasm. Sean was excited to tell me all about his love of choir, musical theater, and teaching. This 23-year-old is currently revitalizing the choir program at Wise High School in Prince George’s County, MD, teaching choir and music appreciation. In just one year, he doubled enrollment to 43 students. “The music room is next to the detention office. I just stick my head out my door, see if anyone is there, and offer them the chance to join the choir. They take it. There is a lot of trauma here, but the choir offers a kind of light to these kids. It is challenging – kinda like the movie School of Rock – but it is a chance to build community, and I know I have already started to turn some students’ lives around through music.” Sean didn’t need to be bribed to pursue music. He taught himself piano as a child, playing constantly. His mother would often chide him to stop practicing and go do his homework. His talent provided his first opportunity, at 15, to be the “music director for the worst production ever of Spring Awakening. It was horrible, really horrible, but I was hooked!” He moved from Seattle to study at Howard University, where he earned a music education degree. “That was a wonderful experience. They really set me up for success. I had lots of opportunities to work in educational theater, which I followed up with work at Next Stop, Workhouse, and Arena Stage. This is my first community theater production, but it isn’t much different from my other work. I try to ensure that the boundaries for the Music Director are clear so I can do what I do in any venue. In the case of I Love You Because, I am working with a cast with different levels of skill, but they have a really strong work ethic. The different skill levels actually contribute to making the characters more compelling and provide a more realistic portrayal of ordinary people coming together. That’s what I am all about. I love being able to bring people with different skills together, much like my teaching, to create a whole so much greater than the sum of its parts. You’ll see!
Demystifying Tech Theater with the Providence Players
by Sarah Mournighan 
When attending a Providence Players production, have you ever glanced at the booth in the back, to the folks behind the glass windows, or looked through the open door on the left? These are the tech operators, colloquially known as “Techies.” Technical theater is a vital, yet often misunderstood, aspect of any production, even by seasoned theatergoers. Two key members of the production team are responsible for the technical elements of a show: the Lighting Designer and the Sound Designer.
The Lighting Designer manages all lighting elements, from positioning lights on the theater’s various lighting bars to create a specific look or mood, to programming cues in the light board that transition between sequences during the show. The number of lights repositioned, and cues created varies significantly depending on the particular show and the Director’s vision.
The Sound Designer is responsible for all sound before, during, and after the show. They program cues into the computer, which can include sound effects (like a telephone ring) or music that is played throughout the production. Similar to lighting, the number of sound effects and cues varies widely from show to show.
Once the respective designers program the technical aspects into either the light board or the sound computer, located in the booth in the back of the audience, the Techies take over. These are the folks who operate the lights or sound during the performance. A common misconception is that running the technical aspects of a show is very difficult but, in reality, that’s far from the truth.
Running the light board simply requires turning the board on at the beginning of the show, hitting the “go” button to advance through cues during the show, and turning the board off at the end. Essentially the same steps are followed by the Techie running sound. They turn on the sound system, plug in the computer, and hit the space bar to move from one sound cue to the next. At the end of the show, they turn everything off and pack it away.
Technical theater offers a unique experience. You gain an unparalleled understanding of the show’s inner workings and see everything from a perspective even the Director might not fully grasp. We can have many volunteers work in the booth during the same show and would love for you to join us in any technical theater role that interests you—just let us know. Even if you’re unable to participate, the next time you leave the James Lee after a show, be sure to stop by the glass windows or look through the open door on the left to say hello to the Techies on your way out. It’s always appreciated for these folks to be noticed, especially when their ultimate goal is to remain unseen.
Behind the Scenes: On The Stage – A New Ticketing+ Platform
Streamlining Our Operations with On The Stage
We are pleased to announce that Providence Players has officially adopted On The Stage, a cutting-edge, all-in-one software platform designed specifically for the performing arts. We will begin this transition in July. This exciting upgrade will provide the following improvements for our production team, our volunteers, and our valued members:
A First-Class Ticketing Experience
On The Stage provides an intuitive ticketing platform that allows patrons to:
- Easily secure seats via clear, interactive seating maps.
- Manage digital tickets directly from a mobile device.
- Take advantage of promo codes, flex passes, and custom subscription packages.
Seamless Volunteer Coordination
We could not keep our curtains raised without our incredible volunteer community. The new software makes it easier than ever to get involved.
Enhanced Membership Communications
Staying connected with our core supporters is a top priority. We can ensure our members are always in the loop with:
- Notifications sent straight to your inbox.
- Streamlined renewal reminders to keep your membership active without the hassle.
What’s Next?
Our production team is currently hard at work integrating the software behind the scenes. You will begin seeing our new, professional-looking show websites and ticketing widgets rolling out just in time for our next ticket release. Thank you for your continued support of Providence Players. We can’t wait to share this new and improved experience with you!
Community Outreach
We continue to advocate and support our Fairfax arts community. On behalf of our Board of Directors, Board President Kevin Harnisch (front row, fourth from the right) participated in support of ArtsFairfax budget hearings. ArtsFairfax is a 501(c)(3), funded in part by Fairfax County, that manages and distributes grants to organizations, including Providence Players!
The James Lee Center is located in the Mason District. We continue to expand our support of the arts, by our participation on the Mason District Arts Council. Currently, we are focused on the Mason Arts 250 program which is aimed at engaging the public through the arts, based on the ideas at the heart of the American Revolution. Artists and community members are collaborating on multiple activities in June and July of 2026 – involving music, poetry, theater, speech, and visual arts – including Oratory by historical reenactors, musical performance, and one-act plays. All are free community events.
On June 20 at 2:00 p.m. selected works, applicable to this year’s 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, will be showcased at Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia, located in the Mason District at 8900 Little River Turnpike. Learn more.
Plays and recitations will be accompanied by original poems from the ongoing Mason Poetry Contest (masondistrictpoetry.org) and will include special guest reenactors. Activities will take place in the Performance Hall. Again, attendance is free and open to the public.
Additionally, The Mason District Arts Council is convening a series of community art events in June 2026 to reflect on America’s 250th. The focus of these arts events is to reimagine the ideas of the American Revolution and engage the public through the arts: “From our founding generation 250 years ago, we inherited an aspiration to create something that didn’t exist. In a world of kings, they imagined self-government. They called people equal. Our history is one of ebbs and flows. We make progress and we regress. What will be next? What will the legacy of our time be? What will our future be? Now it is our time to imagine together what doesn’t yet exist. We call on the power of artists/creatives and community members to help all of us together reimagine the ideas of the American Revolution.”
Schedule of events for Mason Arts 250:
- June 7 at 4 p.m. NoVa Lights Chorale at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bailey’s Crossroads
- June 13 at 4 p.m. America the Beautiful – Students, professional musicians, and a community parent orchestra at John Calvin Presbyterian Church with an instrument “petting zoo” for kids starting at 3 p.m.
- June 20 at 2 p.m. Oratory and Plays Community residents and actors perform at Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia
- June 27 at 11 a.m. Community Mural Join your neighbors and paint at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space
Volunteering with Providence Players
If you would like to volunteer, we would love to hear from you!
We love our actors, but we could also use help with lights and sound, box office management, marketing, house management and ushering. We are happy to train you. Come volunteer! To let us know your interests: Please email directly to info@providenceplayers.org to share a bit about your theater experience and how you would like to volunteer. We will review your comments, pass along your interest to Producers and Directors, and reach out to you when opportunities present themselves. Join us!
Save the Date
June 15th: Annual General Membership Meeting The Providence Players’ Board of Directors will host the annual membership meeting on Monday, June 15th, 2025, at The Italian Café, located at 7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM. Pizza and salad will be served.
This meeting is an excellent opportunity to connect with both old and new friends, while conducting some important company business. We will provide updates on current and future Providence Players activities, elect or re-elect three members to the Board of Directors, and some of the Directors for the upcoming season will unveil the new 2026–2027 Providence Players season. Please mark your calendar– we would love for you to join us!
Member Updates
Congratulations to our WATCH Award Winner and our Ruby Griffith Honoree!! Not only did member Eleanore Tapscott win a WATCH award for her Outstanding Direction of a Play for our production of The Mousetrap but the British Players also recognized the Providence Players production with the Ruby Griffith “Second Runner Up in a Play Award” for – yes – The Mousetrap. Congratulations to all who worked on this play!
Welcome to New and Renewing Members
- If your membership has lapsed and you wish to renew, you can click here.
- Have an update you would like to share with your fellow members? Please send an email to info@providenceplayers.org with the subject line “Member Update” and we will include it.
- Are you in a show with another company? Join our Facebook Group and share the news!
- Click here to see a list of previous WEBLetters.
Thanks for reading the WEBLetter!
Editor: Tina Hodge Thronson