The Stage Goes Dark: VCU Loses Its Builder

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Arts community is paralyzed by grief and shock following the sudden passing of Preston Spence, a beloved Assistant Professor and the Technical Director for the Department of Theatre. Preston was not just an administrator; he was the technical genius whose dedication, expertise, and ingenuity ensured that every VCU production, from complex musicals to intricate dramas, came to breathtaking life. His death leaves an immense, unfillable void in the department, silencing the guiding voice of a professional who built his career on the principles of precision and creativity. The shocking finality of his departure has plunged the VCU Arts community, from current students to established alumni, into a period of deep mourning.

The Master Mentor: An Invaluable Guide Is Gone

Preston Spence’s commitment to VCU was deep-rooted; he was an alumnus, having graduated from the BFA program in 2004, and later returned to share his high-level professional experience, which included work with prestigious institutions like UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance and the La Jolla Playhouse. He was the vital link between artistic vision and practical execution, teaching countless students the rigorous realities of scenic construction and technical direction. His sudden loss is devastating for those students, who have been robbed of an invaluable mentor—a true industry expert who taught by doing. The silence in the workshop and the absence of his calm, capable leadership are agonizing reminders of the immense well of talent and wisdom that has been prematurely taken.

A Legacy Built in Wood and Steel: Honoring Preston’s Craft

The truest legacy of Preston Spence is physically inscribed in the walls, the rigging, and the countless magnificent sets he built and oversaw throughout his career at VCU and beyond. He believed in the power of professional excellence and instilled that standard in generations of theatre artists. To honor Preston is to recognize that the magic on stage is only possible through the unwavering dedication of those working behind the scenes. The VCU Arts Department must now carry forward his high standards of technical artistry and commitment to teaching, ensuring that his spirit of craftsmanship continues to define every production that graces their stage.