Fairfax County Honors Reston Community Players For Winning 13 WATCH Awards In March

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution at its meeting on Tuesday to recognize Reston Community Players for its accomplishments and the group's ongoing contributions to the Reston community.

RCP originated in 1972 after Reston founder Robert E. Simon was asked whether a group of residents would like to perform an original musical, "The Greatest Game in Town," according to the resolution introduced by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

The group organized as a nonprofit in 1972 and performed its first production at the Center Stage at the Reston Community Center Hunter Woods.

"You really have had been an integral part of Reston and sharing and contributing that vision that Bob had of having arts be part of our lives," Alcorn said, on Tuesday. Thank you for everything you've done, and congratulations on the recognition that you've just received."

Related: 13 WATCH Awards Presented To Reston Community Players' Productions

In March, RCP racked up a total of 13 awards for its productions of "A Little Night Music," "The Game's A Foot" and "Bright Star" at the 2023 Washington Area Theatre Community ceremony at the The Birchmere in Alexandria. The 13 awards were the most presented to any theater company during the ceremony.

"We congratulate you and recognize you on these awards and know that there will be many more to come," Board Chair Jeff McKay said, on Tuesday. "This is really an award not just for the Reston Community Players, which is well-deserved, but for arts in Fairfax County to celebrate."

RCP President Joey Olsen thanked the board of supervisors for its recognition.

"The Reston Community Players is 100 percent run by volunteers that have a passion for the arts," he said. "We're lucky to be a part of a greater community of 27 sister theaters known as WATCH. This year, we had 42 nominations for WATCH and yes, 13 wins, the most of any theater company and the most of any show won that night for 'A Little Night Music' with nine awards."

The best part of winning the 13 WATCH awards was that many of them were for backstage contributions, such as set design, decorations, set construction, set dressing, lighting, hair, makeup and costume design, according to Olsen.

" Again, thank you for this amazing recognition," he said. "I ask that you keep the arts in mind when you are doing your budgets, as we are here to keep your Fairfax citizens thriving one laugh, one tear, and one ticket at a time."