Our History
Shortly after the opening of the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, founder Rollin E. Wehman sought to establish a philanthropic arm of the Center to further its mission of fostering an appreciation for the performing arts in the greater Fredericksburg area. With the help of RCPA supporters, Mr. Wehman formed the Riverside Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Foundation today remains committed to Mr. Wehman’s vision of bringing performing arts to the community. Past programs have included performing arts classes for children and teens, free children’s theatre performances for Title I schoolchildren, summer theatre camps with scholarships available for underserved students, high school showcase and awards events, and scholarships given to high school graduates who are embarking on a performing arts course of study in college.
Our Founder
Our Founder - Rollin E. Wehman and his family moved to Fredericksburg in the late 1940's when Rollin was 10 years old. I met Rollin at church where he and I along with my twin brother, Wyatt, sang in the youth choir. That musical association continued for four decades in the form of a quartet we formed in the 1950's, singing at receptions, family gatherings and fund raising events for various charities.
Rollin E. Wehman
Rollin graduated from James Monroe, earned a degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University. His professional business experience included serving as an executive with the Department of Defense and co-founding an engineering firm that contracted with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to assist in modifying space shuttle orbiters for extended flight.
During his business career Rollin pursued his passion for the performing arts in the Fredericksburg and Washington area, where he directed, staged and conducted a wide variety of classical, sacred and musical productions. Performing ensembles under his direction have performed at the Kennedy Center and White House. He was the composer of the Biblical musical-drama Jairus, recorded with Metropolitan Opera principals. Fulfilling a lifelong calling to church music ministries, Rollin served as Minister of Music for a number of local churches.
In 1998 he founded the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts where he produced, directed and performed in many musical productions. In 2006 Rollin founded the Riverside Foundation for the Performing Arts to offer the community an opportunity to learn and participate in the various aspects of the performing arts. Rollin passed away in 2014. Part of his estate was left to the Foundation, which provided funds to finance the first High School Musical Awards ceremony in the area.
The Rollin E. Wehman Award is established to honor the legacy of Rollin Wehman's accomplishments in expanding the interest and participation in the performing arts throughout the community.