WILLIAMSBURG — The lineup for the 17th Annual Ampersand International Arts Festival (AIAF), slated for March 18 to 24, has been announced.
According to promoters, the mission of the AIAF is to foster a better understanding of art’s place within the world by showcasing a diverse array of artists and their work as a way to encourage and inspire the next generation of artists and industry professionals, adding the festival is part of the City of Williamsburg’s initiatives to support town-gown collaborations between local partners — including by showcasing William & Mary alumni, faculty, and students.
“I’m thrilled to once again be a small part of this fantastic festival in a city that means so much to me,” said Caitlin Clements, a 2011 William & Mary graduate, member of the AIAF Alumni Board and moderator of the conversation with actor Daveed Diggs. “Not only do events like these keep W&M alumni actively engaged with the Williamsburg and William & Mary communities, but they give current students the unique opportunity to learn from some of the biggest names in the industry.”
The 2024 Spotlight Programs at the historic Kimball Theatre include:
- March 21: Live Comedy with Maria Bamford — Stand-up comedian, actor, New York Times bestselling author, and the person Stephen Colbert called his “favorite comedian on earth.”
Daveed Diggs - March 23: A Conversation with Daveed Diggs — Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, producer, and originator of the dual roles of Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette in the Broadway sensation, “Hamilton.”
- March 23: A Conversation with Cord Jefferson (W&M ‘04) — Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award-winning writer/director discusses his career and his latest work, “American Fiction,” nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
“It’s always exciting to welcome world-class artists and performers to the Ampersand Festival every year. There truly is nothing quite like it in the region,” said Adam Stackhouse, one of the AIAF’s producers. “This year’s Spotlight Programs feature an incredible variety of talented creatives, and all of us at the AIAF are eager to welcome audiences to the City of Williamsburg.”
Other highlights include:
- March 18: A screening of the French film “The Taste of Things” at the Kimball Theatre, preceded by a prix fixe dinner at Blue Talon Bistro featuring the film’s signature dish.
- March 19: A restored screening of the silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” with an original live score led by composer George Sarah at the Kimball Theatre.
Citizen Sleuth, a film, will also screen during the festival (Ampersand International Arts Festival) - March 20: A screening of “Citizen Sleuth,” a documentary that explores the ethical questions that arise when true crime blurs the line between fact and entertainment, at the Kimball Theatre, followed by a conversation with Director Chris Kasick.
- March 22: A pre-release screening of “We Grown Now,” a film about two school-aged friends in 1992 navigating life while growing up in Chicago’s public housing, at the Kimball Theatre, followed by a conversation with Producer Joe Pirro (W&M ’08).
- March 23: Author Talk with Kiley Reid, the New York Times-bestselling author of “Such a Fun Age” and “Come and Get It” at the Williamsburg Regional Library.
- March 24: A pre-release screening of Disney’s “Madu,” a documentary about a young boy’s incredible opportunity to follow his dream of becoming a ballet dancer after becoming a viral sensation, followed by a conversation with Editor Georgia Dodson (W&M ’04) at the Kimball Theatre.
See the full schedule and additional information at ampersandfestival.com. Tickets are available online and in-person, both at the Kimball Theatre box office the week of the event, and at venues 30 minutes prior to each ticketed event.
The Ampersand International Arts Festival is produced by AVAdventure Productions, with main sponsorship support from the City of Williamsburg. Additional sponsors include Canon Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg, William and Mary, and the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission.
