On the evening of Saturday, August 1, the audience at the Culbreth Theatre stood and cheered for Violet, the Heritage Theatre Festival’s final show of the 2015 season. They cheered even more when the show’s director took the stage for a curtain call 29 years in the making. After nearly three decades of work and 20 years as Producing Artistic Director, Bob Chapel stepped down from Heritage. In 1987, Chapel parlayed an invitation to head to Charlottesville from New York City to direct a Heritage show into a role that would make him and the festival a Central Virginia theatre institution. He went on to direct 54 shows in all on Heritage stages. “Bob Chapel’s talent and dedication have contributed immeasurably to the arts here at the University of Virginia, as he has helped to guide and shape what has become a treasured summer theatre tradition here,” said UVa Vice Provost for the Arts Jody Kielbasa. For his part, Chapel is both thankful for the opportunities and experiences he has had here, and he looks forward to experiencing Heritage as a regular audience member in the future. “I have loved every minute of being part of this organization,” he said, “and I especially loved the opportunity to work with so many extraordinarily talented actors, directors, and designers who have been part of the Heritage family. It has truly been an honor to be entrusted by the University to continue to build this summer theatre and to share so many shows with the wonderful audiences here. I look forward to cheering Heritage on from my seat in the audience, as well as, I hope, returning to direct a production or two if they will have me.”