Welcome to PLAYBILLDER Spotlight, where Playbill highlights shows from educational institutions or regional theatres and special events around the country (who have used Playbill's program-building service). By welcoming these PLAYBILLDERs center stage, we hope to give our readers a more in-depth look at theatre programs that are fostering the love of the performing arts in the next generation and the way theatre lovers are bringing Playbill along for life's big moments.
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This week's Spotlight is Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia, and their production of The Rover. Written by revolutionary English female playwright Aphra Behn, The Rover is a comedy set in a 17th-century Spanish colony. The play, heralded as a feminist work, contains sexual intrigue, mistaken identity, challenges to social norms, and a search for love.
Department Chair Donovan E. Mitchell shared with Playbill why his school is a cultural hub for his community and how they're modernizing this classic play.
Tell us about yourself. How many years have you been teaching?
Donovan E. Mitchell: I have been teaching for just under four years and am now in my second year as Chair of the Theatre and Film Department at The Governor's School for the Arts (GSA). As Chair, I oversee the educational training of actors, technicians, and filmmakers. As an alum of GSA—having studied in both the Theatre and Musical Theatre Departments—it's incredibly meaningful to return as an educator and help shape the next generation of artists.
Can you share a little bit about the value you see in having a performing arts program in schools?
Beyond preparing students for careers in the industry, a program like mine aspires to shape them, foremost, into better people—individuals who can collaborate, think critically, embrace discomfort, and trust in long-term growth. The arts teach empathy, resilience, creative problem-solving, and the value of working together toward something greater than oneself. That’s what we foster in our students, and that’s the kind of community we’re building.
How does your school’s performing arts program impact your community?
Here in Norfolk, Virginia, where it’s just us and the Navy, with no major sports team to rally behind, the performing arts provide a vital space for connection, expression, and shared purpose. Our program gives students a place to develop their voices, challenge ideas, and engage with the world in meaningful ways. GSA is a cultural hub where students, audiences, and artists come together to tell stories that reflect what’s going on and shape our community.
What made you pick the show? How do you choose shows for your students?
Now in my second year as Chair, we’ve had a string of contemporary hits, and the students were eager to dive into something classical under my leadership. I was hesitant at first—I didn’t want to default to the expected Shakespearean canon. Then my colleague, Bethany Mayo, suggested The Rover by Aphra Behn. I read it and immediately saw how it could resonate with our students. It’s witty, bold, and full of subversive energy, making it a perfect way to engage with classical work without feeling like we’re treading the same old ground.
What are the kids loving about the show?
The students are all about the masquerade—the shifting identities, the layers of deception, the characters playing roles within roles. That adds to the wild, celebratory energy of the piece. Plus, it’s been a fully collaborative effort. My technical students have been all over stage management, lights, sound, props—really owning their roles in making the artistry come together. It’s fun, it’s alive, and it’s theirs. We even had a dance party for the curtain call to a Jaheim record—if you know, you know. The R&B vibes really sealed the deal and made the whole piece even more fun.
What message do you have for your students as they take the stage?
The message I have for my students as they take the stage is simple: be present, be bold, and trust in the work you’ve put in. This is your moment to embrace the vulnerability and excitement of performance. Remember, the stage is a place where you can experiment, make choices, and grow. Trust in the process and let yourself enjoy the ride.
How has PLAYBILLDER impacted your performing arts program as a resource?
PLAYBILLDER has been a solid resource since I started using it in my first year. It gives our students a more professional feel when it comes to marketing and presenting their work. It makes the process of putting together high-quality programs easy, which not only levels up our productions but also gets students thinking about the promotional side of theater. For our department, where actors, technicians, and filmmakers are all in the mix, having a tool like this helps reinforce that every piece of a production—performance, design, audience engagement—has to work together. Plus, it’s a great way to showcase the students’ work and share it with our school and community.
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