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Bruce Miller,
Co-Founder and Advisor
Bruce Miller has been a transformative force in Richmond's professional theatre scene since 1975, leaving an enduring legacy of artistic innovation and leadership. He co-founded Theatre IV with Phil Whiteway as Virginia's first professional children's theatre, and served as Artistic Director from 1975 until 2012. In 2001, Theare IV and Barksdale Theatre began working in strategic collaboration, sharing an artistic and administrative staff while remaining separate companies. In 2012, Theatre IV and Barksdale merged to form Virginia Repertory Theatre, with Bruce serving as Artistic Director from 2012 to 2016. Bruce transitioned to the advisory position of Founding Artistic Director, which he held until 2022.
More about Bruce
In addition to the founding and artistic leadership Bruce provided to Theatre IV/Barksdale Theatre and Virginia Rep, Bruce served as Executive Director of the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education in Chesterfield County. For 15 months during 2019-20, Bruce oversaw all construction from groundbreaking through project completion.
Bruce has authored 46 plays for young audiences, including "Hugs and Kisses," which celebrated its 40th year in 2023 as Virginia's principal child sexual abuse prevention and early intervention program. He also wrote "Buffalo Soldier," which was the first play in U.S. history to be presented professionally inside the Pentagon as a morale booster after 9/11.
In recognition of his work, Bruce has received the Virginia's Governor's Award for the Arts, the Commissioner's Award from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the first Excellence in Instruction Award from the Virginia Board of Education, the Voice of the University Award from the University of Richmond (his alma mater), the Together for Children Award from the Virginia Federation of Woman's Clubs, the Certificate of Excellence from Richmond's 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the Theresa Pollack Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, and was named one of the "100 Most Influential Richmonders of the 20th Century" by Style Weekly.
Bruce is married to acclaimed visual artist, Terrie Powers. They are the proud parents of two adult children, a daughter who is finishing seminary and entering the ministry, and a son who is a lead sound engineer on Broadway. Bruce and Terrie reside in Bon Air with their vociferous beagle, Bea.