 Theaters and venues in the Commonwealth are found both in the cities and suburbs . The Harrison Opera House , in Norfolk , is home of the Virginia Opera . The Virginia Symphony Orchestra operates in and around Hampton Roads . Resident and touring theater troupes operate from the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton . The Barter Theatre , designated the State Theatre of Virginia , in Abingdon won the first ever Regional Theatre Tony Award in 1948 , while the Signature Theatre in Arlington won it in 2009 . There 's also a Children 's Theater of Virginia , Theatre IV , which is the second largest touring troupe nationwide . 
