Jenny Wales Steps Down After Nine Years | Charlottesville News

Charlottesville News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 20, 2026 · 1m

After nine transformative years as artistic director, Jenny Wales is stepping down from the Virginia Theater Festival—but not leaving the stage entirely. A proud UVA alumna, she’ll remain on campus as a faculty member in the drama department. Under her leadership, the festival delivered powerhouse productions like “The Mountaintop,” “Cabaret,” and most recently, Disney’s “Newsies.” She also launched impactful community initiatives, including Spotlight on Service and the Artist-In-Residence program. Praised for her vision and dedication, Wales leaves behind a legacy of innovation and…