For decades, Victor has dedicated himself to strengthening theatre in Washington. As a supporter, as a champion, and especially as Founding Chair of theatreWashington's Board of Directors, he has always believed fervently in theatre's power to transform a community.
In addition to serving as theatreWashington’s board chair from 1991 to 2014, Victor has been instrumental in advocating for the entire Washington theatre community. As board member and patron of several flagship theatres, he played a leading role in the area’s artistic renaissance, which saw the number of professional theatres grow exponentially over three decades, creating a city that now supports more than 200 productions annually.
Throughout his decades of work in the Washington area, Victor Shargai has brought his artistic expertise and business acumen to the boards of The Washington Ballet, Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, the Charlin Jazz Festival, The Kennedy Center Community and Friends Board, and the Laurel Fund, which provides scholarships to young people studying the performing arts, in addition to his longstanding leadership of the Helen Hayes Awards/theatreWashington board.
Thirty years ago there were 20 theatres. Today, there are more than 90 providing over 600 productions, readings, and festivals each year. These theatres are a driving force for the revitalization of Penn Quarter, 14th Street, Shirlington, H Street, and downtown Bethesda. Thousands of theatre professionals now call Washington home and Washington is recognized nationally as a world class theatre town, second only to New York City.
A ubiquitous presence at Washington area theatres large and small, Victor’s ability to gather and inspire artists, audiences, and patrons is grounded in his exhuberance for the theater, personal generosity and charisma.
We hope that you will join our Board of Directors and many others in The Victor Circle to honor the great legacy, leadership, and dedication of this extraordinary man.
Your 100% tax-deductible contribution helps us build the next 30 years of our future – a future that Victor helped us envision and make possible.